That "going home outfit" might look cute, but please don't compromise safety for Instagram.

No Coats, Pram-suits or Bulky Clothing: Puffy layers compress in a crash, leaving the harness dangerously loose.

No Hoodies or Headwear: Hoodies push the head forward and push the harness away. Hats, headbands and baby-turbans can cause overheating or slip and cause suffocation.

The Golden Rule: If they wouldn't wear it to sit on the sofa in a heated house, they shouldn't wear it in the seat. The car seat acts as a layer.

Stay Warm: Buckle them in first, then tuck a blanket over the harness.

Before you tighten anything, make sure your baby is positioned correctly in the seat. For most seats, you want to "scoop" them down so their nappy is in direct contact with the crotch buckle.

Note: Not all infant carriers require baby to be bum to buckle, some are bum to back. For example, Avionaut Cosmo, Avionaut Pixel Pro, and the Cybex Cloud Range are all bum to back.

Check where the straps are coming out of the seat. For a rear-facing seat, the straps should be level with or slightly below your baby's shoulders (no more than 2cm below). Some infant carriers do not arrive with the headrest on the lowest setting so you may need to adjust ahead of baby's arrival. Start with the headrest on the lowest setting for a newborn.

Note: Some seats don't have an adjustable headrest/harness, instead they have modular inserts to boost baby up to the harness position so ensure you have all the inserts in correctly in this instance.

Ensure you are using the newborn inserts that came with your specific seat. All the inserts will be needed for a newborn and are removed at various different stages depending on the seat. Always read your seat manual for guidance. Often the inserts will have a guide height/weight on them, remember that it is a guide only and the inserts may be required for longer than stated if baby is on the petite side, or if the inserts are very thin.

Safety Warning: Never add third-party cushions, head-huggers, or inserts that didn't come in the box. They haven't been crash-tested with your seat and could be dangerous.

Pull the shoulder pads up so they are sitting right on top of the shoulders and as close to the neck as possible. The shoulder pads should start just behind their shoulders and curl down over their collarbone on to their chest. Never remove the shoulder pads to get a better fit - they are a safety feature.

Pro-Tip: You might need to gently lift their chin before tightening to make sure the straps are right up close to their neck and not being pushed away by their (very cute) double chin(s).

Tighten the harness until it is snug. You should not be able to pinch any slack in the harness at the collarbone. A gap at baby's tummy is normal, as long as it is tight at the collarbone.

The Rule: Aim for no more than a one-finger gap between the harness and your baby's collarbone.

Check your manual for the correct "travel position" for your handlebar - every seat is different. Some seats even have different positions depending on the installation method (ISOFIX or Belted). There will also be stickers on the side of your seat with diagrams to show explain how to install and where to position the handlebar.

Critical Check: If you are using the seat in the front passenger seat, the airbag must be deactivated. If you can't turn it off, then baby must go in the back.​