Car Seat Safety with Amy Blomenberg: Real-Mom Tips for Everyday Drives

Hey friend, I’m Kirsten - co-founder of Parker Baby Co. and host of the Rooted Conversations podcast. I sat down with my best friend Amy Blomenberg to talk about something that can feel both confusing and stressful for parents: car seat safety.

Amy is the research-loving, manual-reading friend who remembers all the details. I’m more of the type-B mom who asks her questions. After years of raising kids side-by-side, she’s become my go-to resource for baby car seat safety questions.

If you want all of the details on our full conversation, you can listen to our podcast episode HERE.

Friendly reminder: This blog is for education and encouragement—not medical or legal advice. Always follow your car seat manual and vehicle manual, and consult a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) if needed.

7 Car Seat Safety Tips Every Parent Should Know

1. Focus on Awareness, Not Perfection

Car seat safety anxiety is very real, especially when you're a new parent driving with a baby in the back seat. Amy’s reminder: aim for awareness, not perfection.

No parent buckles their child perfectly every single time. Sometimes the chest clip slips lower than it should or the straps could be tighter. Instead of stressing, focus on learning and improving over time.

2. Get the Harness Fit Right

Here are three quick checks parents should know:

Strap Height

Rear-facing seats: straps should come from at or below your child’s shoulders
Forward-facing seats: straps should come from at or above the shoulders

Chest Clip Placement

The chest clip should sit at armpit level. On newborns this can look surprisingly high, but that placement helps keep the shoulder straps properly positioned.

The Pinch Test

After tightening the harness, try to pinch the strap at your child’s shoulder. If you can pinch any slack, the harness is too loose.

3. Be Careful with Car Seat Accessories

Modern baby gear comes with a lot of add-ons but not everything is tested with your seat.

Amy’s general rule:

If it didn’t come with your car seat, use caution.

Helpful guidelines:

Use the infant insert included with your seat according to the manual
Skip aftermarket pillows, strap covers, or comfort pads unless your manual allows them
Avoid bulky coats, which can make harness straps dangerously loose

When in doubt, always check your car seat manual or ask a CPST.

4. The Safest Car Seat Is One You Use Correctly

With so many options on the market, it can feel overwhelming.

Amy’s favorite reminder:

“The safest car seat is the one you can use correctly 99% of the time.”

A few helpful things to remember:

You don’t need the most expensive seat for it to be safe
Even basic models are crash-tested and safe when used correctly
Understanding your specific seat matters more than buying the fanciest option
Car seats have expiration dates

5. Build Consistent Buckling Habits

Car seat safety is really about daily habits. A few habits that help families stay consistent:

Teach kids that the car doesn’t move until everyone is buckled
Make sure spouses, grandparents, and babysitters know how to buckle correctly
Keep kids rear-facing as long as possible within the seat limits
Move to booster seats only when your child truly meets the requirements

Over time, these simple routines become second nature.

6. Real-Mom Road Trip Hacks

Long drives with babies and toddlers aren’t always easy. These simple tricks can help:

• Use a rear-facing baby mirror so you can check on your child safely
• Block the sun with a lightweight swaddle blanket over the window
• Keep a stocked car diaper caddy with wipes, snacks, toys, and spare clothes
• Pack puppy pads or a travel potty for accidents or motion sickness

7. You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone

Car seat safety can feel overwhelming, but there are great resources available. Here are a few helpful places to learn more:

CPST-moderated Facebook groups that review photos or videos
Educational resources like The Car Seat Lady
Local parent friends who are happy to share what they’ve learned

If someone points out a small adjustment, like chest clip placement or strap tightness, try to receive it as support, not criticism. Most parents just want to help keep kids safe.