Buckling Up Baby: Do Newborns Need Seatbelts?

Newborns should always be placed in a rear-facing car seat, preferably in the centre of the back seat, and should remain rear-facing until they reach the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the manufacturer. This is because, in the event of a crash, a baby riding in a rear-facing seat is protected by the seat in the event of a frontal crash, which is the most common type of crash. In addition, babies' spines are still developing and their heads are large relative to their bodies, so riding in a forward-facing seat could result in a stretched or ruptured spinal cord.

Newborns should always be in a rear-facing seat

Newborns should always be placed in a rear-facing seat when travelling in a car. This is because, in the event of a crash, a newborn's upper body—head, neck and spine—is cradled by the back of the safety seat, protecting them from serious injury or death. In a forward-facing seat, a newborn's spinal cord may stretch, which could result in serious injury or death. According to research, children up to 2 years of age who are placed in forward-facing safety seats are more likely to be seriously injured in a crash than those in rear-facing seats.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children stay in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible, even after turning 2, and parents shouldn’t make the switch based on age. This is because rear-facing car seats are better at protecting the head, neck and spine in the event of a crash. Rear-facing seats act as a protective cradle, particularly for a newborn's delicate neck and spinal cord, in a serious accident.

There are two types of rear-facing safety seats that are safe for newborns: infant car seats and convertible car seats. Infant car seats are lightweight, portable and convenient, with a base that stays in the car and a seat that clicks into place. They also have handles that make them easy to carry. However, your newborn will outgrow an infant car seat well before they are ready to face forward. Most rear-facing infant seats have an upper weight limit of between 28 and 35 pounds and a height limit of 30 to 35 inches.

Convertible car seats can be used in both the rear-facing and forward-facing positions. They tend to be heavy and bulky and are designed to stay in the car. They can often be used rear-facing until a child is between 40 and 50 pounds.

When placing a newborn in a rear-facing safety seat, it is important to ensure that the shoulder straps are at or below their shoulders. The harness must be snug so that you cannot pinch any folds in the material after buckling them in. The straps should lie flat in a straight line without sagging or twisting. The top of the chest clip should be positioned at armpit level. It is also important to place your newborn in the back seat of the car, as the front passenger seat is unsafe due to the airbag.

The safest place for a newborn in the car is the back middle seat

Newborns should be placed in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat of a car. The safest spot for a car seat in the back of the car is the middle spot. This is because it is the maximum distance from passenger-side airbags and any potential impact. It is 43% safer than sitting on the side in the back. In the case of a frontal crash, which is the most common type of crash, the middle rear seat will be the furthest from any impact.

However, it may not always be practical to place a car seat in the middle of the back seat. For example, if there are multiple car seats to install, or the vehicle is not suitable for a centre installation. In this case, the rear passenger seat is still a safe location for a car seat. It is also more convenient as it is pavement-side, away from the flow of traffic.

If there are three children in the car, it is recommended to place the newborn in the rear passenger position, the toddler in the rear driver position, and the four-year-old in the front passenger seat position with deactivated airbags and the seat pushed back as far as possible.

It is important to ensure that the car seat is fitted correctly and that the child is correctly secured in the seat. The harness straps should be placed through the slots located at or below the child's shoulders and should be flat, not twisted. The harness should be tightened until it is snug, so that no extra material can be pinched at the shoulder. Bulky clothing or blankets can prevent a snug fit, so the child should be buckled into the seat first and then covered with a blanket. The chest clip should be placed at armpit level.

Newborns should not be in a car seat for too long when not in a car

Newborns should be placed in a rear-facing child safety seat in the back seat of the car. This is because, in the event of a crash, a baby riding in the front seat can be fatally injured by a passenger-side airbag. In addition, when a baby is riding forward-facing, their spinal cord may stretch, which could result in serious injury or death. However, when riding rear-facing, the baby's upper body—head, neck, and spine—is protected by the back of the child safety seat in the event of a frontal crash, which is the most common type of crash.

While car seats are designed to keep babies safe while travelling, they should not be used for longer than necessary. This is because, when a baby is in a semi-upright position for a prolonged period of time, it can result in a strain on their still-developing spine and restricted airflow to their lungs. This risk is increased if the baby falls asleep with their head flopped forward. Therefore, it is recommended that a baby should not be in a car seat for longer than two hours within a 24-hour time period.

Young babies may experience respiratory problems if placed in a sitting position or car seat. This is because a newborn's reflex to hold their head up is not yet fully developed, and their head can flop down and restrict their airway. It is best to keep a young baby on their back wherever possible and to ensure that they are placed in the car seat comfortably, with their back and head supported.

When travelling with a newborn, it is important to take frequent breaks to get the baby out of the seat, even if this involves waking them up. This is especially important if the baby has fallen asleep with their head flopped forward, as this can restrict their airway. In addition, it is recommended to remove the baby's warm outdoor clothing when bringing them into the home, even if this means waking them.

In summary, while it is important to follow safety guidelines when installing and using a car seat for a newborn, it is equally important to avoid keeping the baby in the car seat for longer than necessary to minimise the risk of health complications.

Newborns should not be left unattended in a car seat

Newborns should always be placed in a car seat when travelling in a car. However, it is important that newborns are not left unattended in a car seat, and that the car seat is properly installed and fitted to the newborn to ensure their safety.

Firstly, newborns should be placed in a rear-facing car safety seat in the back seat of the car. This is because, in the event of a crash, a newborn's upper body—head, neck and spine—will be cradled by the back of the child safety seat, protecting them from serious injury or death. In fact, research shows that children up to 2 years of age who are placed in forward-facing child safety seats are more likely to be seriously injured in a crash than those in rear-facing seats.

Secondly, it is important that the car seat is installed at the correct recline angle, which will be indicated on the seat's base or carrier. The correct recline angle will ensure that the newborn's head does not fall forward and restrict their airway, but also that they are not so reclined as to increase their risk of injury in a crash.

Thirdly, newborns should be securely harnessed in the car seat with the shoulder straps lying flat, not twisted, and placed at or below their shoulders. The harness must be snug, so that you cannot pinch any excess material after buckling the newborn in. Bulky clothing or blankets should be avoided, as these can prevent a snug fit. Instead, it is recommended to place a warm blanket over the newborn and harness.

Finally, newborns should never be left unattended in a car seat. This is because they may be at risk of suffocation if their head falls forward and obstructs their breathing. Additionally, a newborn who is left unattended in a car seat may be at risk of falling out of the seat if they are not properly harnessed, or the seat may tip over if placed on a soft or elevated surface. Therefore, it is important to always supervise a newborn when they are in a car seat and to move them to a firm, flat sleep surface, such as a crib or bassinet, as soon as possible.

Newborns should not wear thick coats or snowsuits under the seatbelt

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and car seat manufacturers recommend that newborns should be buckled into their car seat first, and then additional layers, such as coats or blankets, can be added over the harness to keep them warm. It is important to ensure that the harness straps remain snug and that there is no more than one finger-width of space between the newborn's collarbone and the harness strap.

To check if your newborn's coat is too bulky to wear under the harness, you can perform the following test:

• Put the coat on your newborn, sit them in the car seat, and fasten the harness.
• Tighten the harness until you can no longer pinch any of the webbing with your thumb and forefinger. This is called the "pinch test".
• Without loosening the harness straps, remove your newborn from the car seat and take off their coat.
• Put your newborn back in the car seat and buckle the harness straps, ensuring they are adjusted to the same tightness as they were when the coat was on.
• If you can now pinch the webbing between your thumb and forefinger, the coat is too bulky to be worn under the harness.

As an alternative to thick coats or snowsuits, you can dress your newborn in thin layers, such as a base layer with cold-proof gear, followed by a t-shirt and a sweatshirt. You can also use blankets or car seat covers designed and tested by the car seat manufacturer to keep your newborn warm.

Frequently asked questions