2 Secure Ways to Install an Infant Car Seat Base

I remember putting off installing my baby’s car seat for weeks. But that’s just because back then I didn’t know how to install an infant car seat base accurately, and I lost brain power figuring it out.

In the end, I decided the best thing to do was contact a CPS (Child Passenger Safety) technician. They taught me patiently and now, I’ve gotten so much better at installing car seats with the base and without it too!

But, if a CPS technician isn’t available nearby, let me simplify the process for you and break it down.

Here I’ll explain about installing the car seat base using lower anchors or LATCH systems, and the seatbelt method. I will also help you prepare for your car seat installation safety checks.

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Step-Wise Guide: How To Install An Infant Car Seat Base

Choosing the right infant car seat isn’t enough. You’ll need to install the base correctly to protect your little ones on the road.

A correctly installed seat can reduce the risk of accidents and injuries by 54% for toddlers, and 71% for infants. So, once you’ve picked your car seat – get your installation right.

Method 1: Installing Using Vehicle Seatbelts

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Whether you’re using the seatbelt or LATCH system, reading and following the manufacturer’s guide is crucial. It will help you to understand the installation process specific to your vehicle.

Find the right position for the car seat to ensure safety for your new baby. The middle seat of the back row is usually the most common and safest bet. But if you’ve got multiple children, you may have to make a few adjustments to the position.

Recommended Reading: Infant Car Seat Behind Driver Or Passenger

Some infant car seats feature a separate belt path to thread the shoulder strap behind the car seat to give it another layer of security. This is the European belt path – often considered safer than a US one.

Remember: Some US infant car seats and bases feature the European belt path. Understand both techniques to get the installation right.

Vehicles may have different methods of locking the seatbelt. Usually, you can pull it all the way and then let it retract to keep the base in place. Some vehicles may also have built-in locking systems. Hence, referring to your manufacturer’s guide on this is critical.

After placing the car seat base firmly on the back seat, carefully thread the vehicle seatbelt through the belt path. You’ve got to ensure that the belt isn’t twisted in any place because that’ll create tension to keep the base in its place. Then, buckle and lock the seatbelt.

Once you wrap and buckle the seat belt, press down in the middle of the base to tighten its position. Pull the slack in the seatbelt to ensure the base doesn’t move more than an inch to either side or back and forth. Secure the position further by setting up the load legs, if your car seat has them.

Method 2: Installing Using Lower Anchors

All vehicles manufactured in 2002 and later have the LATCH or lower anchor system. These are small horizontal bars at the back seat cushion joining.

The lower anchors in some vehicles are pointed outwards. So, installing the base in the middle can be challenging with the LATCH system. Ideally, the spacing between two lower anchors should be 11 inches. But if the spacing seems higher in the middle seat, install the base on the side seats.

Recommended Reading: Can Infant Car Seat Go In Middle

Once the base is in position, locate the lower anchors in your vehicle. Then, attach them to the car seat base’s lower anchor tethers or attachments. Then press down on the base and tighten the attachments to secure the base in its place.

Remember: Using the lower anchors and the seatbelt system to install the base can put pressure on the car seat leading to breakage or wrongly distributed force in a crash. Only use either one of the methods.

Installing A Convertible Car Seat

When To Switch To A Convertible Seat?

Parents should let their little ones ride in their rear-facing infant car seat for as long as possible. It’s the safest option.
However, the transition is inevitable. So, even though the AAP suggests rear–facing infant car seats for children until they’re 2 years old, sometimes they need a bigger seat sooner.

That’s when I like to introduce the convertible seats. The best part? You can use it as a rear or forward–facing seat whenever you need. Here’s how you can install it:

Please ensure the vehicle’s seat belt and the LATCH clips are in the rear-facing belt path since they have another belt path for forward-facing.
Using the LATCH clips on both sides, attach the base to the lower anchors at the base of the vehicle seat.
Follow the same process as before to tighten the straps and secure the base in its place.

The forward-facing belt path is through the backrest of the convertible seat. Remove the seatbelt from the rear-facing path and thread it through the backrest.
Follow the same steps to attach the lower anchors to the car seat base and press down to secure its place on the seat.
Attach the tether strap (on the top of the car seat) to the vehicle’s anchor attachment. You can find it on the ceiling or the back of the vehicle seat.

Recommended Reading: Can You Use An Infant Car Seat Without The Base?

Car Seat Installation Tips

Recline Angle – Keep the rear–facing seats at a 35 to 40-degree angle of recline. That’s the safest position for infants and newborns because it protects their head and neck from slumping forward.
One–Inch Test – Once you install the seat or base, try moving it back and forth or side to side. If it moves more than an inch, it needs to be tighter.
Smoothen The Straps – Whenever you attach the LATCH tethers with the seat’s attachments, or install the seat using the seatbelt, please ensure they’re not twisted. It can create unnecessary tension in the straps, leading to compromised safety.

Position Your Baby In The Car Seat Correctly

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Place your little one flat on their back to fasten the harness easily.
The upper straps should be flat across their shoulders, while the lower ones secure their hips.
Use the harness slots of rear–facing seats that are positioned at or below your kid’s shoulder level, both for infants and newborns.
You can use the harness slots positioned at or above their shoulder level in forward–facing seats.
Perform the pinch test to check for slack in the safety harness. If you can pinch the harness between your fingers, tighten the straps until they’re snug.
Take off bulky clothing like snowsuits, fluffy jackets, or blankets before you buckle your little one in their seat. Bulky clothes can make the straps too loose, and that could toss your baby around if there’s a crash.

Need Help? Find A CPS Technician

One of the most common things I’ve witnessed new parents struggle with is installing an infant car seat properly. After struggling to understand the complex owner’s manual, some even give up and tend to wing it. Here’s what you can do instead:

Find a Child Passenger Safety Technician to walk you through the installation process and check whether it has been done correctly.
The NHTSA maintains a thorough directory of all the inspection stations where you can go and get your installation checked. Register your seat and find one near you.
The Safe Kids Coalition organizes car seat checkups and safety workshops worldwide. Find one happening near you, attend, and get the help you need.

Preparing For Car Seat Installation Safety Checks

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Before
During
After

Learning – Don’t just watch them install the seat – go to learn. Ask questions, take notes, or record a video.
The Right Timing – I don’t recommend installing the car seat too early because if you get in an accident, the car seat will also get damaged. Book the appointment for the final weeks of your third trimester.
Guide Read–Through – Bring your manufacturer and owner’s guide to your car seat installation checking – let them go over it once.
Know Measurements – If you already have a kid, know their height and weight. It will help your CPS technician give you proper recommendations.

Don’t forget to verify the credentials of your CPS technician. Ask to see proof of their latest certification.

Your CPS technician will do the following:

Verify if your car seat is appropriate for your child’s age, height, and weight (you can explain to it to them if your baby is still due).
Check the manufacturer’s and owner’s guide to ensure the car seat is installed correctly.
Ensure the car seat’s position is the safest in the vehicle – away from the point of impact, airbags, etc.
Instruct you to install the car seat base using LATCH or the seatbelt method to see if you make any mistakes.
Discuss the following milestones – graduating to a convertible, forward–facing seat, booster seat, etc.
Answer any questions until you know your little one will be safe on the road.

If you answer yes to all three questions below, you can consider the safety check successful:

Did you participate in installing the car seat?
Did the CPS technician answer all your queries?
If not, did anyone else follow up with you afterward?
Do you feel confident about installing and using the infant car seat?

Wrapping Up: Infant Car Seat Installation

As a parent, hypervigilance comes with the territory.

We’re always worried about our little one’s safety – whether it’s in their crib or the car seat. That’s why it’s crucial to install the car seat properly.

Never forget that you can only use either one of the vehicle seatbelt or the LATCH system to install the infant car seat base properly. But you can’t use them both. It may create unnecessary tension in the harnesses and compromise your baby’s safety.

And don’t worry about not getting it right on your own – ask for help when you need it.

Happy parenting!