Many of the customers I support are transitioning out of their baby’s first car seat and into a longer-lasting ERF (Extended Rear-Facing) seat. This means I frequently see infant carriers that have been used as the primary mode of transport from birth up to around 15–18 months.
Unfortunately, I often come across installation errors—some of which could have devastating consequences in a collision. The good news is that most of these mistakes are easily avoidable by understanding how your car seat works and thoroughly reading the manufacturer’s instructions.
In this article, we’re focusing on infant carriers. While these seats often look similar—particularly in terms of handlebar design and seatbelt routing—there are some important differences between brands that every parent should be aware of.
The Handlebar: More Than Just a Carrying Aid
All infant carriers feature a handle. This makes them incredibly convenient for carrying your baby to and from the house, lifting the seat onto a pushchair frame, or even hanging a small toy. But while these uses seem obvious, carrying convenience is not the handlebar’s primary purpose.
The handlebar plays a critical role in crash protection. Its positioning when the seat is installed in your vehicle can directly affect how well your baby is protected in a collision.
The Handle as a Rebound Bar
Think of the handlebar as a kind of rebound bar—or even a roll cage. In the event of a crash, everything in the car, including the car seat, will move forward. This is where the seatbelt (or the support leg if you’re using a base) limits how much the seat rotates downward and forward.
But what goes forward must come back. During the rebound phase of an impact, the car seat will move backwards, towards the rear of the vehicle. At this point, the correct positioning of the handlebar becomes crucial: it helps stop the seat from striking the vehicle seat’s backrest, thereby reducing the risk of your baby’s head making contact.
Always check your car seat’s manual to ensure you know what the correct handle position is for driving. It varies by brand, and assuming it’s the same across all carriers can lead to dangerous misuse.
Belt Routing: A Common Standard (Mostly)
Another area that causes confusion is seatbelt routing. Thankfully, belt routing tends to be relatively standard across infant carriers, and I’ve yet to come across a model that deviates significantly from this norm. Still, it’s always important to refer to your specific model’s instructions to confirm you’re installing it correctly.
The correct method can be found in the manual, as well as in the pictures on the side of the seat. As a general rule of thumb, the lap portion of the seatbelt should go over your baby’s lap or legs, and the shoulder belt should go around the back of the seat—making sure to follow the blue or green belt guides.
A handy rhyme to remember is: ‘Lap to lap, and round the back.’”
If in any doubt, don't hesitate to get in touch for advice to help keep your child travelling safely.