How to Fit a Baby in an Infant Carrier

Important

This guide provides general fitting advice only. Always read your car seat user manual and follow the manufacturer instructions for your specific seat. If you are unsure about installation or fit, contact your retailer or a trained car seat specialist for tailored support.

Newborn Fitting Guide

Infant carriers are designed to safely transport babies from birth. Correct harness adjustment, positioning and insert use are essential for a safe fit.

• Set the harness to the lowest position for newborns

For rear facing car seats, the harness should be set so the straps come from level with or slightly below baby’s shoulders. As baby grows, the harness can be raised according to the seat instructions.

• Ensure all inserts are fitted correctly

Most infant carriers include newborn inserts to support babies. Make sure all inserts are installed correctly according to the user manual. Never add third party inserts.

• Position baby with their bottom touching the buckle of the seat

Baby should be fully scooped down into the seat so their nappy is close to the seat buckle. This is often referred to as “bum to buckle” positioning.

NB: some seats require baby to be “bum to back” - some examples of these seats include, but are not limited to - Avionaut Pixel Pro, Avionaut Cosmo, Cybex Cloud T/G/Z/Z2, Venicci Ultralite & Venicci Cosmo

• Check the shoulder pads

The harness pads should sit on baby’s shoulders and close to the neck.

• Tighten the harness correctly

The harness should be snug with no more than a one finger gap between baby’s collarbone and the harness. A gap at the stomach is normal.

Helpful Tips

• Lift baby’s chin while tightening the harness

This helps the straps sit correctly on the shoulders rather than sliding down the arms.

• Check baby’s posture before tightening

Baby should have their back flat against the seat before the harness is tightened.

• Check the handlebar position

Handlebar positioning is unique to each seat and can also vary depending on whether the seat is belted in or being used with an ISOFIX base. Always read your manual or see the stickers on the side of the seat for confirmation before use.

FAQ

Can I add extra padding or inserts for my newborn?

No. Only use the inserts that came with your car seat. Third party inserts have not been crash tested with your seat and should never be added.

Why does my baby look curled up in the seat?

Infant carriers are designed to support a baby’s natural posture. As long as baby’s bum is to the buckle/back of the seat (seat dependent), and the harness is fitted correctly, this position is normal. If baby is chin to chest, this is not safe and means something needs correcting - reach out to a specialist retailer.

“I’ve followed all the steps but something still looks wrong?”

Car seats can be very confusing - don’t panic. Ask a specialist for a fit check to confirm everything is correct.