Important Safety Information
KEEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR FUTURE USE. Carefully read and understand all instructions and warnings in this manual. Failure to properly use this infant car seat increases the risk of serious injury or death in a sudden stop or crash. Store this manual in the designated storage location provided on the back of the seat.
[Illustration: Diagram showing the manual being stored in a designated pocket on the back of the car seat.]
Product Registration
Register your safety seat to be reached in case of a recall. Complete the following information:
- Model Number: [Field for Model Number]
- Manufacture Date: [Field for Manufacture Date]
- Purchase Date: [Field for Purchase Date]
The model number is on the side of the seat, and the manufacture date is on the bottom. Mail the prepaid registration card. For recall information, contact the U.S. Government's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit NHTSA.gov.
You can also register online at: https://babytrend.com/pages/car-seat-product-registration
Safety Information
About Your Child
This seat is designed for children within specific height and weight limits (4-35 lbs, 32" or less). Exceeding these limits increases the risk of injury. Consult the warning label on the seat for specific limits.
Children with special needs or breathing difficulties should consult a pediatrician or healthcare provider regarding the suitability of this seat's recline angle.
Never leave your child unattended.
Avoid bulky clothing that hinders a snug harness fit.
About Your Vehicle
Proper installation and securing your child are crucial. Understand your vehicle's owner's manual regarding child restraints. Not all vehicle seat belts are suitable. Contact your vehicle manufacturer if unsure.
Never combine this seat or base with other manufacturers' products.
This seat is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft and meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
About Active Air Bags
⚠️ NEVER place this seat in a location with an active air bag. An inflating air bag can cause severe injury or death. Refer to your vehicle's manual for details.
About an Unoccupied Safety Seat
Never leave the seat or base unsecured in the vehicle; it can become a projectile in a crash.
The seat can become very hot in direct sunlight. Always check surfaces for heat before placing your child in the seat.
About this Safety Seat
Do not store heavy objects on the seat. Do not store in a trunk with pressure on the seat.
Replace the seat and base after ANY accident, even minor ones, as damage may not be visible.
Discontinue use after six (6) years from the date of manufacture. Disable the seat before discarding.
About Use as a Carrier
Never leave your child unattended, even when asleep.
Place the carrier on a firm, level surface. Avoid soft or plush surfaces (beds, sofas) as the carrier can tip easily.
Fall Hazard: Keep the carrier away from edges of high surfaces (tables, counters). Stay within arm's reach.
Strangulation Hazard: Ensure harness straps are snug. Do not place items with strings around a child's neck or over the carrier. Keep away from window blind cords.
Handle: Ensure the carry handle is firmly locked before lifting.
⚠️ Hazards include suffocation on soft surfaces, strangulation by loose straps, and falls from elevated surfaces or shopping carts.
Selecting the Best Location for the Safety Seat
Overall Considerations
Rear seating positions are statistically safer for children.
The center rear seat is recommended. If possible, an adult should ride in the rear to monitor the child.
The forward seating position may be used only if the driver is alone, there is no passenger-side active air bag, and specific requirements are met.
Vehicle Seat Requirements
⚠️ DO NOT place a rear-facing child seat on the front seat with an air bag. The back seat is safest for children 12 and under.
Avoid locations with active air bags. Refer to your vehicle's manual.
Do not place the seat in any position that faces the rear or side of the vehicle. [Diagrams: Illustrations show incorrect seating positions.]
Ensure the vehicle seat back locks securely and does not fold forward.
Consult your vehicle owner's manual for best location and unsafe positions.
Vehicle Seat Belt Safety
The seat must be tightly installed at all times. Not all vehicle seat belts are safe for use.
⚠️ Analyze seat belt operation carefully. Threading the belt through the seat is not proof of safety. Review your vehicle's manual and warning labels.
Seat belt systems NOT safe:
- Lap belts that stay loose and only lock in a crash (often with motorized shoulder belts).
- Lap/shoulder belts where both belts have retractors at one end.
- Seat belts connected to the door.
- Seat belts anchored more than 2 inches forward of the seat crease.
- Shoulder belts that move along a track.
If unsure about your vehicle's seat belt system, contact the manufacturer.
Seat belt systems ADEQUATE for use:
- Manually adjusted lap belts that remain tight.
- Lap belts that cannot be lengthened once fastened (often with automatic locking retractors).
- Lap/shoulder combination belts with a latch plate that locks the lap belt into position.
- Lap/shoulder combination belts with a sliding latch plate if they have a lockable retractor or a locking clip is used.
[Diagrams: Various illustrations show incompatible and compatible seat belt systems.]
Safety Seat Features and Their Proper Use
5-Point Harness
Description of the 5-point harness system components: Carry Handle, Fabric Harness Slots, Seat Pad, Harness Straps, Webbing Twist Indicator Stripe, Handle Release Button, Buckle, Harness Adjuster Strap, Harness Adjuster Button.
[Illustration: Diagram labeling the components of the 5-point harness.]
Rear View of Car Seat
Description of rear view components: Canopy, Harness Belt, Ergonomic Carry Grip, Harness Adjuster Strap, Harness Slots (x4), Base/Stroller Hook, Metal Plate.
[Illustration: Diagram showing the rear view of the car seat with components labeled.]
Rear View of Component Locations
Description of rear view component locations: Base/Stroller Release Handle, Locking Clip and Storage, Webbing Twist Indicator Stripe, Owner's Manual Holder.
[Illustrations: Diagrams showing rear view component locations.]
Base
Description of base features: J-Hook Connector Storage on underside, Angle Indicator Located on base, J-Hook Connectors.
[Illustrations: Diagrams of the car seat base.]
Use of the Safety Seat with the Base
To remove the seat from the base, squeeze the Base Release handle. To attach, align and push down until latched.
[Illustration: Diagram showing how to remove the car seat from the base.]
Other Features
Baby Trend offers various seat styles with different features. Consult your model's specific instructions.
Seat Angle Indicators: Used to ensure proper recline for safety. Indicators match child's weight. A bubble centered between lines is for 4-22 lb. A level line parallel to the ground is for 22-35 lb. Use elevation aids (towels, noodles) if the line is not parallel.
[Illustrations: Diagrams showing seat angle indicators and their use with the base and without the base, including elevation aid examples.]
Operation of the Carry Handle
⚠️ Never attach toys or objects to the carry handle when in the vehicle.
The carry handle has five positions: Rebound, Carry, Storage, Mid-Storage, Non-Rocking.
[Illustrations: Diagrams showing the different carry handle positions.]
In-Vehicle Handle Use: Only use Rebound or Carry positions in the vehicle. Use Carry position for children over 22 lb or if feet touch the handle.
To adjust handle position: Depress buttons to release, rotate, and allow buttons to lock. Check handle is locked before lifting.
[Illustrations: Diagrams showing handle adjustment.]
Ergonomic Carry Grip
Rotate handle to carry position. Cross forearm through handle to grip.
Attaching the Canopy
Slip canopy stays through sleeves. Insert plastic stays into fittings on the handle hub. Use hook-and-loop fasteners to attach fabric to the seat frame.
Insert Use
Inserts are not mandatory. Use ONLY with children weighing 4-18 lbs. DO NOT use Pillow insert if child's head is pushed forward. Inserts may not be included in all models.
[Illustrations: Pillow Insert and Body Insert.]
Adjustment of the Shoulder Straps
⚠️ Improperly adjusted harness increases risk of injury. Check harness fit every time.
Harness straps must be in slots even with or just below the child's shoulders. DO NOT use slots above the shoulders.
Steps for adjustment involve removing the seat from the base, positioning the child, determining correct slots, loosening straps, turning the seat over, removing straps from the adjuster plate, threading through slots, and reattaching to the plate. Use the included Belt Threading Tool.
Ensure strap ends are fully hooked, not twisted. Pull on straps to ensure they are securely reattached.
[Illustrations: Diagrams showing harness strap adjustment steps, including the Belt Threading Tool.]
Adjustment of the Crotch Strap Length
Adjust crotch strap for a safe and comfortable fit. A gap of 1/2" to 1" should be between the buckle ears and the child's thigh. Check height frequently.
To shorten/lengthen: Thread anchor bracket through slots.
[Illustrations: Diagrams showing crotch strap adjustment and measurement.]
Using Infant Restraint
Securing Your Child in the Safety Seat / Carrier
⚠️ Children have STRANGLED in loose or partially buckled harness straps. Fully restrain the child even when carrier is used outside the vehicle.
Improperly secured child increases risk of death or serious injury. Harness straps must be properly installed and secured.
Steps:
- Check harness strap height (Section 5.9).
- Dress child in clothing that allows snug harness fit and keeps shoulder straps in place.
- Place seat on firm, level surface. Move handle to non-rocking. Loosen harness straps. Unfasten chest clip. Drape straps aside.
- Place child in seat with bottom against the back and bottom of the seat.
- Pull harness straps down over child. Ensure straps are not twisted.
[Illustrations: Diagrams showing correct/incorrect harness positioning.]
For the 5-Point Harness
Put buckle tongues together and insert into the harness buckle. Fasten Harness Chest Clips together. Position chest clip level with child's armpits. Ensure tongues click and are latched securely.
Pull Harness Adjuster Strap to tighten straps. Ensure they are flat and snug, with no slack.
Accessory products are acceptable if they do not interfere with harness assembly or adjustment.
[Illustrations: Diagrams showing buckle tongues, chest clip, and harness adjustment.]
Securing the Safety Seat or Base in the Vehicle
Preparation
Park on a level surface. Ensure the level indicator is accurate.
Select an acceptable location (Section 4.1).
Check for Active Air Bags. ⚠️ DO NOT use locations with active air bags. Consult vehicle manual.
Adjust vehicle seats forward or backward to prevent the safety seat from striking the dash or seat back in a crash.
Ensure the vehicle seat back locks securely and does not fold forward. [Illustration: Diagram showing a locked vehicle seat back.]
Installation of the Safety Seat / Vehicle Belt Installation of Base
⚠️ Never attach toys or objects to the carry handle when in the vehicle.
Remove toys from carry handle.
Remove the Safety Seat from the base.
Place the Base in the rear-facing position in a forward-facing vehicle seat. The child must face the rear.
[Illustrations: Diagrams showing vehicle seat belt routing for base and seat.]
Thread the vehicle belt through the Base or Safety Seat.
Buckle the seat belt, ensuring it is not twisted and is securely latched.
Tighten the seat belt by pushing down on the seat/base while pulling the belt. Ensure there is no slack and the belt is tight end-to-end.
[Illustrations: Diagrams showing seat belt tightening methods for lap belts and lap/shoulder belts.]
Tightening a lap belt only: Use automatic or manual retraction.
Tightening a combination lap/shoulder seat belt: Pull upward on shoulder portion while pushing down on seat/base. Use locking clip if needed.
[Illustrations: Diagrams showing locking clip application.]
Check that the seat belt is very tight and the locking clip is secure.
Installation of the Base using LATCH
LATCH system uses lower anchors and tethers for easier installation without the vehicle seat belt.
Locate LATCH seating positions in your vehicle owner's manual.
Remove LATCH connectors from storage. Place Base in rear-facing position.
Locate vehicle LATCH anchors. Snap connectors onto the rod. Listen for a click and check attachment.
Tighten LATCH webbing by pushing down on the base while pulling webbing. It will lock automatically. Ensure no slack.
[Illustrations: Diagrams showing LATCH connector attachment and webbing tightening.]
Check that the seat latches securely to the base. If not, ⚠️ DO NOT use.
Setting Proper Recline of the Safety Seat / Base
⚠️ Improper recline increases risk of death or serious injury. Too upright can cause breathing problems; too reclined can cause injury in a crash.
Use the Seat Angle Indicator on the side of the seat.
With Base: Ensure seat is level side-to-side. Check indicator for child's weight. Use elevation aids (rolled towel, pool noodle) under the front of the base if needed to achieve correct recline.
Without Base: Ensure seat is level side-to-side. Check indicator. Adjust using rolled towel or pool noodle under the foot end if too upright or too reclined.
[Illustrations: Diagrams showing seat angle indicators and elevation aid placement.]
Elevation Aids
Use rolled towels, folded towels, or pool noodles under the front of the base or carrier to achieve correct recline angle.
Ensure elevation aids extend at least 1 inch beyond the outside edge of the base.
[Illustrations: Examples of pool noodle and towel elevation aids.]
Final Checks
Checking Safety
Check harness fit and tightness.
Perform a push-and-twist test on the seat to ensure the vehicle seat belt remains tight and does not loosen.
⚠️ DO NOT use the location if the seat is not tightly installed.
Remove any toys or objects from the carry handle.
Adjust carry handle to desired position.
Additional Information
Using the Safety Seat in an Airplane
Can be used without the base. Check airline policies. Must be used in a forward-facing airplane seat. Ask flight attendant for assistance.
Using your Baby Trend Safety Seat with a Baby Trend Stroller
Refer to the stroller owner's manual.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Clean hard surfaces with mild soap and water. ⚠️ DO NOT use bleach.
Spot clean harness straps with mild soap and water. ⚠️ DO NOT launder straps.
⚠️ DO NOT use lubricants on any components.
Seat pad washing instructions: Remove harness straps, wash pad, re-thread straps carefully.
⚠️ DO NOT use the Safety Seat Without the Seat Pad.
Inspect harness straps for twists and secure attachment.
Replacement Parts
Contact Baby Trend Customer Service at 1-800-328-7363 or visit ? www.babytrend.com for replacement parts.
Warranty
DO NOT return to store. Contact Baby Trend for parts, service, and repair.
Warranty covers workmanship defects for 1 year. Misuse, abuse, alteration, or removal of serial number invalidates warranty.
Damage during installation is the user's responsibility.
Contact Customer Service: 1 (800) 328-7363 (Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. PST). Return Authorizations are required.
Details at: http://babytrend.com/pages/limited-warranty
Garantía (Spanish): No devolver a la tienda. Contactar a Baby Trend para repuestos, servicio y reparación. La garantía cubre defectos de fábrica por 1 año. El uso inadecuado, abuso, alteración o remoción del número de serie anula la garantía. El daño durante la instalación es responsabilidad del usuario. Contacto: 1 (800) 328-7363 (Lun-Vie, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. PST). Se requiere autorización de devolución.
Customer Assistance
If you experience difficulty using this product, contact customer service at ? 1-800-328-7363 (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. PST). Have your model number and manufacturing date ready.
[Illustration: A STOP sign graphic.]
