Car seats part 1: most common errors

Car seats, everyone is familiar with them. Lots of people use them almost every day. We all know how to properly adjust them to fit our little ones. Or do we? It's kind of shocking how often I see improper car seat use. I'm sure people don't intentionally buckle their kids in the wrong way, but sadly it isn't pointed out much so people honestly just don't know they are doing it. Pediatricians don't really get into car seat talk, and most other influences in a new parent's sphere are probably also unaware. I was that way, until I got sucked into the black abyss that is BabyCenter and read about it only 5,692 times. I took some pictures to demonstrate a few of the most overlooked errors, and I must say that my model is pretty stinkin' adorable.

I see kids buckled in like this all the time. The straps are very loose, there is too much slack. The chest clip is too low on the belly and could cause internal injuries in an accident. A child may also be able to bring their arms up and out of the harness which could be extremely dangerous. I know, because one time we didn't quite have it high enough and he did exactly that.

If you can pinch the straps together, they are too loose. Too much slack in the straps allows too much movement in an accident and doesn't protect the child the way that it should.

This shows correct car seat use. The straps are very tight, unable to be pinched together. They are pulled snugly against the child's body and will properly hold them against the seat in an accident. The chest clip must be at armpit level at all times to effectively keep the straps on the child's shoulders.


It's surprising how much of a difference a change of clothes makes in the way the straps fit. I find that I have to readjust them each time I put him in the seat. I usually loosen the straps an inch or so to make it easier to slide the straps up over his arms, and then after it's buckled I make sure to pull it as snugly as I can and check to make sure that I can't pinch the straps together. Then I slide the chest clip up alllll the way to his armpits. A lot of people think I'm being a little bit crazy and paranoid and overprotective *cough cough, mother-in-law...*, but it's really, really important to make sure it's done correctly every single time. It only takes ten seconds longer than doing it the old way. You never know when you could get in an accident, and if you do, you definitely want your precious cargo to be fully protected.