Installing Tips

Unborn - 1 yr. & Below 4 lbs.

car bed with child-JECar Bed Installation Tips

A car bed keeps your tiny baby flat, with her head toward the center of the car, not by the door.

Your doctor will tell you whether to place your baby on her belly or her back.

Attach the car bed to the car using the seat belt. It will be secure, but not as tight as a regular car seat. Carefully read the installation directions that come with the car bed. Car beds may also use lower attachments.

Need help? Send us an email us at [email protected].

Unborn - 2 yrs. & 4 - 40 lbs.

Three Important Installation Tips

  • Install your rear-facing car seat in a back seat using either a locked seat belt or lower anchor attachments. The video above will show you how.
  • Look at the car seat’s angle indicator (on the seat) to make sure the recline angle is correct. The recline angle is critical for infants who can’t yet lift their heads to breathe. Check the car seat manual or labels for more help.
  • Make sure the car seat is snug enough to pass the Inch Test. A properly-installed car seat should not move more than one inch side to side or front to back when pulled at the car seat’s belt path.

2 - 5 yrs. & 21 - 65 lbs.

Four Important Installation Tips

  • Install your forward-facing car seat in a back seat using one of two systems: either a top tether and locked seat belt or a top tether with lower attachments (LATCH). Both systems are safe, but don’t use both at the same time.
  • Your vehicle owner’s manual shows the approved LATCH seating positions in your car. Not all seating positions have lower anchors, but they all have seat belts.
  • Use a top tether with your forward-facing car seat. The top tether reduces the forward motion of the car seat in a crash. Look for a top tether anchor in your car before you select the location for your car seat.
  • Make sure the car seat is snug enough to pass the Inch Test. A properly installed car seat should not move more than 1 inch side to side or front to back when pulled at the car seat’s belt path. The belt path is near the forward-facing child’s hips.

6 - 8 yrs. & 40 - 120 lbs.

Three Installation Tips

Booster seats are easy to use. They do not need to be installed like a car seat and you don’t need to worry about a tight fit. Your child’s weight on the booster seat holds it in place. The seat belt keeps the child in place.

  • Use the booster seat in a back seat.
  • Secure the booster seat with the seat belt when it is not being used so it doesn’t fly around the car if you stop suddenly.
  • Always use a lap and shoulder seat belt with a booster seat. You no longer need a harness because the child and booster seat are held in place by the adult lap and shoulder belt. Some, but not all, boosters let you use the top tether. Check labels!

9 - 12 yrs & Over 80 lbs.

Tips For big kids

If your child passes the Seat Belt Fit Test, there is nothing to install. But many children under age 12 still need a booster seat if the seat belt does not fit correctly.

Booster seats usually do not require installation. Your child’s weight on the booster seat holds it in place. Older kids often prefer backless boosters that are not obvious to their friends.

  • Use the booster in a back seat.
  • Secure the booster seat with a seat belt when it is not being used so it doesn’t fly around the car if you stop suddenly.
  • Always use a lap and shoulder seat belt across your child in a booster seat. You no longer need a harness because the child and booster seat are held in place by the adult lap and shoulder belt.

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