When I became a mom for the first time a couple of years ago, I was very inquisitive about knowing whether I should use a baby car seat pad for my newborn baby or NOT.
And, since you’ve landed on this post I’m assuming that you might be looking for an answer to a similar query, right?
Correct me, if I’m wrong.
Today, we’re gonna end the age-old debate on whether one should use a baby car seat pad or NOT.
The baby car seat pads are popularly known as strap shoulder pads and play a crucial role in helping smaller-sized babies fill the car seat correctly.
Another benefit of using straps shoulder pads is the prevention of baby skin burns and marks from the car seat straps.
In simple words, with the help of a baby car seat pad, you can keep your baby comfortable in a car seat.
Not to forget, a car seat pad prevents your baby from sliding off by securing her body snugly.
In layman’s terms, a baby car seat pad acts as a catalyst and gives extra support to your baby.
These baby car seat pads are fairly priced and are readily available as well.
And, in case, you’re a DIYer then you can make it on your own without any hassle in an epigrammatic span of time.
Let’s have a quick look at the immense benefits that a baby car seat pad has to offer you.
Why Use Baby Car Seat Pad
Frankly speaking, a baby car seat pad could be of great help when it comes to improving an infant’s safety and convenience.
Newborn and small-sized babies are the ones who get the maximum benefit from a baby car seat pad.
Baby Car Seat Pad Benefits
Moving further, I will be walking you through some of the important benefits of a baby car seat pad.
Comfort
As mentioned earlier, small babies and newly born who aren’t able to fit in the car seat in a perfect way because of their small sizes find a car seat pad very useful.
Not only does it help the babies to fit perfectly in the car seat but also puts a full stop to an unwanted movement that may happen because of jerks or brakes.
It puts a brake on the spontaneous movements making your baby more comfortable and relaxed.
Safety
Many of the parents would be aware of the fact that if the child’s head lies towards the chest, then it’s a potential choking hazard.
What actually a baby car seat cushion does is cushion the baby’s head, so that she can rest with ease in a hassle-free manner.
Moreover, the pad helps the baby maintain a natural posture as well as supports breathing easily.
In layman’s terms, a pad helps your baby to grow in a natural way by mitigating external risk factors.
Security
The pad enhances security by ensuring that you strap in the harness properly each and every time.
What the actual pad does is alleviate the baby to a certain extent so that the harness security is at a reasonable degree.
Just for your information, the security harness is to remain at or slightly below the baby’s shoulder level.
Improved Posture
Well, the manufacturers design the padding in such a way that it will help your baby improve her posture.
It encourages a newborn baby to lie in the natural position.
The uniquely designed pad also curbs scrunched postures.
Flexibility
The pads are highly flexible and once your newborn baby grows older and starts fitting the car seat, then you can remove the pad and provide the room for the natural growth of your baby.
Only remove the pads when you’re sure that it will not affect the security strap’s fit.
Head Support
To be honest, head support is very important as during the early days baby will not be able to support her head on its own.
It’s a very common sight that babies sleeping in their bassinets have their heads veered to one side, which helps them with easy breathing.
Moreover, the head hugger padding supports your baby’s head.
Design Material
Most of the car seat padding comprises polyurethane foam which gives additional benefits to these baby seat pads.
Let’s have a look at some of the idiosyncratic benefits:
- The pads are made from lightweight products. Look for the ones that are comparatively lighter. Buying a pad that is heavier will make the car seat unnecessary and heavier
- The good thing about car seat pads is that they are capable of absorbing sounds and vibrations which keeps your baby asleep for a longer duration
- Polyurethane is a durable material that is meant to last longer
- And, the best part is, they can be recycled and put to reuse
Do I Have To Use The Car Sear Pad For My Toddler?
Well, it depends, not necessarily always.
You definitely have to use a car seat pad for your toddler if she doesn’t fit well in the car seat.
Most car seat pads are used by toddlers when they fall short in size, and failing to use the pad can lead to security straps not fitting correctly.
The insert plays a crucial role in keeping your toddler safe in case of an unprecedented event.
Furthermore, it also keeps your baby’s head firmly intact and prevents it from falling forward and leading to the blocking of her airways.
Not only that but also the cushion beneath your baby’s head has its own significance as it helps in securing the harness correctly.
If you’ve become a MOM for the very first time and are not sure how and when to remove the insert pads, then stay with us as we will be revealing the nuts and bolts of baby car seat pads.
When you feel that your baby has grown up and can fit the car seat appropriately then it’s high time that you stop using the pad.
For example, if you’re struggling to seat your baby or lift her when you’re using a pad then stop using it.
In layman’s terms, the main purpose of padding is to provide comfort and security, and the time it stops serving the purpose, you need to stop using it.
Can Car Seat Pads Help During A Car Crash?
Many of my clients have asked me in the past whether a pad would be helpful in terms of safety during crashes or NOT.
So, I’ve decided to end this age-old debate today.
Yes, to some extent, it will definitely help.
Moreover, if the car seat has built-in head constraints then the car seat pad could be of great help during a crash or any unprecedented event.
At the same time, a top-rated car seat pad is solely capable of supporting an infant during a car crash.
Some uniquely designed car seats restrict the baby’s head motion.
Many of you wouldn’t be aware of the fact that the head and neck’s motion can only be restricted by the built-in part of the car seat.
The padded inserts that you use in a car seat are mostly detachable.
You can also make DIY pad inserts from a durable blanket that can provide adequate support to your baby during a car crash.
You need to fold and wrap the blanket firmly around your baby so that she remains stable.
I always suggest to my client that you put your baby in the middle spot of the second row as it is the safest place for your baby during the collision.
During the first year, you must put your baby rear-facing, and this position favors your infant’s head and neck during the tip of collision for sure.
Forward-facing spots are safer as compared to the rear-facing for newly born babies.
Even in the case of a side collision, the safest position is the middle spot of the second row so try to keep your baby rear-facing as long as it is possible.
How Do I Make DIY Car Seat Pads?
If you’re with us till now then I can assume that you’re well informed about the importance of a car seat pad.
And, if you don’t wanna buy a car seat pad then you can DIY a car seat pad with minimum effort.
You need a baby blanket right in place to support your baby’s head and posture her correctly in a car seat.
It goes without saying that a newborn baby requires additional support around her head to keep it from tilting.
Roll two blankets around your baby’s body and make sure that you’ve folded them twice over at the head region.
Well, the essence of wrapping their head with blankets is to ensure that the wrap stays in place.
While using a blanket your motive should be to keep your baby in the correct posture and prevent its lurching towards the chest.
If the blanket shifts from the head region, it may fall behind the baby.
And, this might lead to choking hazards.
As a parent, it’s solely your responsibility to ensure that you firmly wrap the blankets so that whenever your baby moves her head, she can rest back.
What Are The Best Car Seat Pads?
Frankly speaking, the market is flooded with a wide range of car seat pads, and choosing one could be difficult at times.
Each brand has its own share of a claim of being better than others which makes the buying process a bit confusing, especially for first-time buyers.
Secondly, giving a tag of “best” car seat pad to one particular model or brand wouldn’t be correct as the term “best” is relative and NOT ABSOLUTE.
Furthermore, the car seat pad that may be best for you might not even suffice my needs and vice-versa.
We follow a very rigorous method in shortlisting the products for review, please allow us to explain it to you.
First and foremost, our core team does the brainstorming and comes up with a set of evaluation parameters.
Each parameter is assigned a certain weightage depending upon its ability to influence a buyer’s decision.
During the evaluation process, every car seat pad is assigned a certain score across the evaluation parameter depending upon its performance.
For your information, scores are relative and not absolute.
We have handpicked two baby car seat pads for you
Our criteria for shortlisting involve how durable, safe, long-lasting, and performance-driven the product is.
The good thing about these car seat pads is that both of them prevent your baby’s shoulder and neck from being chafed by the safety belt’s straps.
So if you are bothered about a long trip with your active baby, these are perfect for them.
Kids Car Seat Belt
Size dimension- 280mm by80mm
Material- It’s is made from suede fabrics and has PP filings
Colour- It comes in different colors like, blue, pink, grey, beige, and red
COOLBEBE Car Seat Strap
Size dimension: 4.92″by 2.56″
Material: Upper-soft velvet-touch fabric with soft foam fillings
Color: Black, blue, and pink.
Car Seat Pads Features
When it comes to buying a car seat pad it is important that you don’t compromise on certain parameters if you’re really interested in buying a valuable product.
Don’t hesitate to pay some extra bucks upfront if you’re getting a good product because it will definitely pay you in the long run.
Safety
First thing first, never compromise on safety features, look for a baby car seat pad that is safe and secured.
Both the baby car seat pads that we recommended stay in place and give your baby much-needed protection while s/he wears a safety harness.
Comfort
It goes without saying that the baby car seat pads are highly comfortable and prevent irritation on your baby’s body, especially the neck and shoulders.
Most of the pads comprise soft materials such as velvet that guarantee a high comfort level for your kid.
And, the best part is, that both the baby seat pads that we recommended are one size fits all and can be used in car seats, strollers, and infant carriers.
Ease Of Use
The cleaning process is quite easy and will not consume much of your time for sure.
However, don’t dry-clean or steam-wash them.
You can machine wash or hand wash these pads for the best results.
And, refrain from using fabric softener.
Cold washes are recommended and Velcro fastening makes it easy to remove for washing and fixes as required.
Washing Directions
Refrain from dry cleaning or steam-washing the aforementioned pads.
Also, it is suggested to NOT USE fabric softener.
You can use cold/warm water, and hand or machine wash to achieve the best results.
It’s A Wrap
First and foremost, I would like to thank you for being with us till the end.
Secondly, I would like to bring to your notice that I along with my core team have put loads and loads of effort into coming up with this idiosyncratic superlative piece of information.
And, in case, you liked our efforts then please do share this information with like-minded people and the ones who are in need of it.
After all, sharing is caring, isn’t it?
Cutting long-story-short, car seat pads are mainly used for making the baby comfortable, safe, and secure.
Either you can buy a good quality car seat pad or you can construct it on your own without any hassle.
The DIY approach involves simple steps such as firmly wrapping a blanket around the baby’s body and head.
In layman’s terms, a baby car seat pad has a cushioning effect during a crash.
That’s all, as of now :):)
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