Installing the Car Seat With a Seat Belt

1. Read your car seat’s instruction manual and your vehicle’s owner manual. Pay close attention to the information about your vehicle’s seat belt system, and how to “lock” the seat belt. Every seat and vehicle is different, which affects the way you’ll install your particular seat.
2. Place the car seat in the back seat of your vehicle, in the rear-facing position.
3. Carefully thread the seat belt through the rear-facing belt path. Check to make sure there are no twists in the seat belt.
4. Buckle the seat belt.
5. Lock the seat belt.
6. Press down firmly on the car seat and tighten.
   • You should not be able to move the car seat side-to-side or front-to-back more than 1 inch.
7. Make sure your car seat is installed at the correct recline angle.
   • Babies must ride sitting semi-reclined to keep the airway open.
   • Most car seats that can be used rear-facing have built-in angle indicators or adjustors to assist you.
   • As your child grows the angle may need to be adjusted, so be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions.

Fitting Your Child Correctly in the Car Seat

1. Place your child in the car seat with the child's back flat against the car seat.
2. Place harness straps over the child’s shoulders. Harness straps should lie flat, not twisted, and be placed through the slots located at or below your child’s shoulders.
3. Buckle the harness and the chest clip, and tighten until snug. The harness is snug enough when you cannot pinch any extra material at the shoulder.
   • Bulky clothing or blankets can prevent a snug harness fit. Always buckle the child in the seat first, and then place coats or blankets over the harness.
   • If your baby needs support, fill the empty spaces with small, rolled blankets on each side of the baby’s shoulders and head.
   • If there is a gap between the buckle and your child’s groin (common for young infants), try placing a rolled washcloth or diaper in the space for a more secure fit.
   • Never put thick padding under or behind the baby unless it is recommended for use by the car seat manufacturer.
4. Place chest clip at armpit level. This holds the harness straps in place on the child’s chest and shoulders.

Best Practice

Read the car seat manual carefully and remember that children should ride rear-facing until they reach the top weight or height limit.

Installing the Car Seat With Lower Anchors

1. Read your car seat’s instruction manual and your vehicle’s owner manual. Pay close attention to the location of the lower anchors, and directions on how to use this vehicle hardware.
2. Place the car seat in the back seat of your vehicle, in the rear-facing position.
3. Locate the lower anchors in your vehicle.
4. Connect the lower anchor attachments on the car seat to the lower anchors, making sure the straps aren’t twisted.
5. Press down firmly on the car seat and tighten the straps.
   • You should not be able to move the car seat side-to-side or front-to-back more than 1 inch.
6. Make sure your car seat is installed at the correct recline angle.
   • Babies must ride sitting semi-reclined to keep the airway open.
   • Most car seats that can be used rear-facing have built-in angle indicators or adjustors to assist you.
   • As your child grows the angle may need to be adjusted, so be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions.

Fitting the Child Correctly in the Car Seat

1. Place your child in the car seat with the child's back flat against the car seat.
2. Place harness straps over the child’s shoulders. Harness straps should lie flat, not twisted, and be placed through the slots located at or below your child’s shoulders.
3. Buckle the harness and the chest clip, and tighten until snug. The harness is snug enough when you cannot pinch any extra material at the shoulder.
   • Bulky clothing or blankets can prevent a snug harness fit. Always buckle the baby in the seat first, and then place coats or blankets over the harness.
   • If your baby needs support, fill the empty spaces with small, rolled blankets on each side of the baby’s shoulders and head.
   • If there is a gap between the buckle and your child’s groin (common for young infants), try placing a rolled washcloth or diaper in the space for a more secure fit.
   • Never put thick padding under or behind the baby unless it is recommended for use by the car seat manufacturer.
4. Place chest clip at armpit level. This holds the harness straps in place on the child’s chest and shoulders.

Best Practice

Read the car seat manual carefully and remember that children should ride rear-facing until they reach the top height or weight limit for the rear-facing position before you move them to the forward-facing position with a harness and tether.