Car crashes are one of the leading causes of injury and death among children, but car seats save lives every day. The problem? Installing a car seat can be tricky, especially for first-time parents, and more than half of car seats are installed incorrectly.

When you're installing a rear-facing infant car seat, follow these steps to make sure your little one is as safe as possible.

How to install a rear-facing infant car seat

  1. Read the manual. Different car seats have different installation methods, so you’ll want to make sure you understand how to install your seat correctly.
  2. Place the car seat in the back seat. The safest spot for your baby is always in the back seat — preferably in the middle spot, away from passenger-side air bags. If your car doesn’t fit a car seat securely there, place the seat on either side of the backseat (or, if you drive an SUV, in the second row). One place you should never put a car seat: on the front seat. If there's an accident (even if it's minor), the passenger-side airbag could open up and seriously injure your baby. (To note: All kids under the age of 13 belong in the backseat.)
  3. Face it backwards. Experts including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) urge parents to keep kids in the rear-facing position as long as possible, until they reach the highest height or weight limit allowed by their seat. Why is keeping your child in a rear-facing for as long as possible so important? Facing backward offers the best protection for a baby's or young toddler's head, neck and spine. Infants and other small children are 71 percent less likely to be fatally injured in a car crash if they're rear-facing.
  4. Look for the LATCH anchors. All cars made in 2002 and later are designed with a LATCH system (anchors and tethers designed to attach the car seat to the backseat of the car). This means your car seat or base can be attached to metal anchors in the vehicle’s seat. Look for small metal loops that stick out slightly near the bottom of your vehicle’s seat. Keep in mind that the NHTSA says parents should use either the LATCH system or the seat belt with a car seat, but not both. 
  5. Install the base (LATCH method). If you’re using the LATCH system, place the base in the back seat, then connect the seat to the lower anchors on your vehicle’s seat. Follow the instructions in the manual to make sure the connection is secure.
  6. Install the base (seatbelt method). Some parents find that the LATCH system makes infant car seats easier to install. But using a seatbelt is considered just as safe, if done correctly. If your car doesn’t have LATCH anchors, or if you’d prefer to use the seatbelt, then find the belt path on your base, thread the belt through and buckle it. Most seatbelts can be locked by pulling the belt all the way out, then feeding it back in. Consult your vehicle’s manual if this method doesn’t work for your car.
  7. Tighten the connection. Push down firmly on the center of the base and pull out the slack in either the LATCH straps or the seatbelt. If your seat has additional safety measures like a load leg, make sure they’re set up correctly as well.
  8. Check to see if the base is secure. Now, check your work. Using your non-dominant hand, hold the base at the belt path, then shake it with the force of a handshake. It shouldn’t move more than 1 inch when shaken side to side or front to back. If it does, press down on the center again and tighten the straps further.
  9. Check the angle. Next, you’ll want to make sure that your car seat base is at a safe angle. This step is important to make sure your baby is sitting in the correct semi-reclined position. Look for an indicator on the side of your base and adjust the seat up or down until the angle is correct.
  10. Put in the infant car seat. Now that the base is installed, the next step is to clip the infant carrier onto the base. This is easy to do with most car seat models, and many will “click” when the seat is locked in correctly. Some car seats can be installed without a base. Follow the same steps, making sure to check the angle of the seat and tightness of the connection.
  11. Adjust the handle. Finally, check your manual to make sure the car seat handle is in the right position. This is usually different from the upright handle position used when carrying the seat.

How to make sure your car seat is installed properly

According to a 2014 report by the AAP, fewer than 10 percent of new parents install or use car seats correctly, with most strapping the harness or the car seat too loosely. So it’s always a good idea to get someone to double-check your handiwork.

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Try any one of these options:

  • Check with your local police or fire station, baby store or car dealership. Most will do a safety check for you for free.
  • Find a car seat inspection station near you through the NHTSA directory or call 866-SEAT-CHECK.
  • Keep in mind that only a certified car seat safety technician is likely to be up-to-date on all the latest recommendations, so for peace of mind search for one in your area through the National Child Passenger Safety Certification Program.