Where Should Infant Car Seat Straps Be for Maximum Safety?

Kids teach us a whole new meaning of life, and we will always want to keep them safe, especially on the road.

Terry and I paid a lot of attention to crucial car seat safety rules when we were expecting our first child together. Just so you know, dear new parents, ensuring your little ones’ safety doesn’t end after you find the right car seat and install it correctly. It’s also about infant car seat buckle placement!

So, where should infant car seat straps be placed, and what’s the best way to place them?

Let’s get right to it – here’s a guide on infant car seat buckle and strap placement.

Where Should Infant Car Seat Straps Be Placed?

Above or below the shoulder, that is the question!

Whether it’s too hot or cold, you can’t get into the car until your baby is secure in their seat. Here’s how you can ensure their safety, no matter what type of car seat you have:

1. Rear-Facing Infant Car Seats

Experts believe safety harnesses or straps should be as close to the shoulders as possible in such seats.

mother-securing-baby-in-a-rear-facing-infant-car-seat

If your little one’s shoulders are between two strap slots, use the one below their shoulders for a rear-facing car seat.
If the straps are too high, they’ll ride up the seat’s backrest during an accident, and create a choking hazard.

2. Forward-Facing Car Seats

For kids over 2 years, a forward-facing car seat is often more appropriate, and it has a different shoulder strap placement. Adjust the height of the shoulder straps and put it through the slots right above your kid’s shoulders.

grey-and-black-forward-facing-infant-car-seat

Please tighten the shoulder straps, so there’s no slack at the shoulders – do this every time you use the car seat.
Don’t worry about ‘over-tightening’ the straps – this is what keeps them safe.
Lastly, position the chest pads carefully so that the straps don’t slide down their tiny shoulders.

3. Booster Seats

Here’s the secret for placement in booster seats: Shoulder straps should fit across the chest and shoulder, not the throat and face.

Remember! Booster seats protect from side impacts, so placing the straps correctly is crucial. And please switch your child to a booster seat only after they meet all the basic requirements.

young-girl-sitting-in-a-booster-car-seat

On the other hand, the lap belt should be flat (not twisted) over the thighs and fit tightly around your kid’s hips.
Please ensure that the belt doesn’t ride up to their stomach.
Adjust the harness if it rubs against your kid’s neck; however, if this issue persists, chances are your baby is too little for a booster seat.

It also helps to understand your infant car seat’s height and weight limits and know when your baby is too big for an infant car seat.

7 Steps to Use Infant Car Seat Buckles Safely

According to the NHTSA data, a loose safety harness is one of the most common forms of misuse leading to child crash fatalities.

Most car seats come with a detailed (usually complicated) owner’s instructions guide. But most often, new parents find these instructions difficult to follow. So, after an hour or two of Googling, watching YouTube videos, and heated conversations, you might be tempted to just wing it.

That’s where the trouble begins. So, let’s not go down that path. Here’s the right way to use the infant car seat buckle.

Check the height and weight requirements before putting your little ones in the car seat, while bringing them home.
If you have a preemie, they may require a seat different from a regular infant car seat.

The proper placement of the harness changes as your little ones grow. In rear-facing seats, the shoulder straps should be slightly below your baby’s shoulders.
On the other hand, in forward-facing seats, the shoulder straps must be just above or at the shoulder level.

Pro Tip: If your little one isn’t here yet, choose the lowest harness slot to set it up, once they’re here, adjust accordingly.

baby-in-an-infant-car-seat-with-safety-buckle-on

The crotch strap and buckle feature may differ in different infant car seats. Some offer only one position, regardless of your baby’s height and weight.
However, some infant car seats let you adjust the position of the strap and buckle as it should be as close to your baby’s body as possible.
The right position of the crotch buckle is on their tiny belly.

Find the tab or lever near the baby’s feet, where the tail emerges from the seat.
Then, while pushing it down or lifting it (as appropriate for your seat), use your other hand to pull the shoulder straps to loosen them.
Check the instruction manual to learn how to adjust the safety harness or straps.

Gently put your baby inside the car seat and ensure proper support for their head and neck.
Pull the straps and buckle forward before putting them inside the seat, and ensure that they don’t slouch or slump forward once buckled in.

Bring the harness around your little one’s shoulders and securely snap the chest clip. The clicking sound is there to ensure your baby is safely strapped in.
Avoid twisting the straps because they can significantly compromise your baby’s safety on the road.

Get behind the car seat to use your body as leverage, then pull the straps up, while keeping the chest clip low, on their belly.
Remove the slack near the shoulder by pulling the tail near the baby’s feet. Once the straps are snug, the chest clip should be at the armpit level.
You must tighten the straps or harness each time you put your little one inside.

Common Infant Car Seat Strap Placement Mistakes

two-young-children-in-their-infant-car-seats

Honest confession: Infant car seats are complex. From installing to using them, you need it to be just right, all the time! Hence, parents and caregivers must be cautious of the following mistakes:

Straps Aren’t Snug Enough – ‘Snug as a hug’ – that’s the tightness you should be aiming for. Most parents keep it loose, thinking it’s too tight, but if you use the straps correctly, they can’t hurt your little one.
Incorrectly Routed Car Seat Strap – Car seats are only effective when used correctly. During installation, click a picture of the harness straps before removing them to ensure you get it right, every time!
Chest Clip Isn’t Set Correctly – A popular myth about car seat straps and buckles is that the chest clips protect your baby during a crash. However, that’s not true. During an impact, it’s mostly likely to come undone. The primary use of the chest clip is to position the harness correctly.
Harness Straps Not Placed Right – Remember, for different seats, the harness strap positions differ significantly. In rear-facing seats, the harness straps should go through the slots at or below your little one’s shoulder level. But for forward-facing seats, the straps should go through the slots above.

Infant Car Seat Buckle Placement Safety Tips

The Pinch Test – Simply pinch the strap near the shoulder after buckling your baby in. If you can pinch it, that means the straps are loose, and you should tighten it.
No Winter Coats In The Seat – You may think they’re comfy, but it compromises their safety. Take the jacket off and put it lightly over their legs once strapped in.
Buckle Placement – The chest clip should always be at the armpit level, regardless of the direction of the seat.
Secure Buckle – Look for the audible click when buckling your little one in their seat. That’s how you know the straps are secure.
Proper Angle – Always check the recline once they’re snug in their seats. Babies should be in a semi-reclined position to keep their airway clear.

Also, keep an eye on your child if they are nodding off in their car seat and transfer them to a safe sleeping environment like a crib or a bassinet as soon as you reach home.

If you’re a new or expecting parent and confused about car seat safety, consult a professional. A CPS technician can guide you through it all.

Final Thoughts: Where Should Infant Car Seat Straps Be

The meaning of safety changes once you become a parent!

It’s not just about picking the right seat or installing it correctly. You also need to pay attention to where the infant car seat straps and buckle are positioned.

Straps that are too loose can create more wiggle room for your baby and compromise their safety. And if the chest clip isn’t at armpit level, it can choke or injure your little one in case of an accident.

But don’t let these concerns stop you from enjoying drives with your baby! Some of my best memories are of the times I spent with my kids on the road.

Drive safe and ride happy!