Mom putting car seat in car

Car seat installation guide: Tips and advice from the experts

With a baby on the way, you’re on the cusp of all sorts of adventures! A car seat allows you to take your little co-pilot along wherever you go. But before you set off on your journey, you’ll need to be sure they’re properly situated. That’s where car seat installation comes in. Below, you’ll find a few car seat installation tips that apply to any brand and model. Then, we’ll touch on the basics of car seat installation for the Bugaboo Turtle Air by Nuna. Rest assured: It’s very simple.

Car seat installation tips


1) Choose a quality car seat

Here’s the first car seat installation tip: Choose a quality car seat. It sounds obvious, but no matter how well you install your car seat, if the seat itself is faulty or sub-par, it’s not safe. Start by purchasing a brand-new car seat. It takes a village to raise a child and oftentimes that includes hand-me-downs. But there are a few baby items you’re better off buying new. A car seat is one of them. Why? A used car seat might not be up to the latest standards, or the materials and parts might be worn out from so much time on the road. Before you purchase your new car seat, read tips on how to choose one here.

We recommend the Bugaboo Turtle Air by Nuna. This car seat is rigorously tested and features special tailor tech foam for optimal side-impact protection. And the ultra-resistant and resilient car seat outer shell provides maximum safety on the go. Why are we working with Nuna on this car seat? First of all, Nuna is renowned for developing high-quality car seats. Secondly, just like Bugaboo, they’re committed to making your life easier as a parent — whether it’s with their car seat’s simple installation or lightweight design for easy lifting and carrying.

The Bugaboo Turtle Air by Nuna features simplicity, usability, an intuitive design and premium fabrics.

Baby in car seat

2) Refer to the manual

Here’s the second car seat installation tip we’d like to mention: Refer to the manual. The exact installation instructions and procedures will depend on the brand and model of your car seat. Most come with a manual or an online video to help make the installation process as smooth and painless as possible. If you’ve misplaced the manual (it happens), do a quick online search for your car seat and you’re sure to find what you need.


3) Find a Child Passenger Safety Technician

You may have heard of going to the local fire department for help installing your car seat. This is a great idea — as long as they have staff who are properly trained. But not every firefighter is a car seat installation pro. Child Passenger Safety Technicians are specifically trained in car seat installation. Sometimes, these certified technicians work at the fire department, and sometimes you’ll find them elsewhere. If you want a pro to install your car seat or do an inspection, check with your OBGYN or hospital to find a technician in your area.


4) Buckle your baby

Last but not least, buckle your baby! A perfectly installed car seat won’t do much good if your baby isn’t buckled in correctly. Clip your baby in according to your car seat’s instructions, and then adjust the harness to the proper tightness. This is the perfect opportunity to remind you not to put your baby in the car seat with their winter coat on. Your coatless child will fit more securely in the car seat. But it’s not just that. Buckling your baby in without their coat helps ensure the best car seat performance.

The no re-thread five-point harness on the Bugaboo Turtle Air by Nuna is adjustable and easy to buckle and unbuckle.

Baby in car seat with harness

Car seat installation: The Bugaboo Turtle Air by Nuna

With the tips above in mind, we’re going to move on to step-by-step car seat installation instructions for the Bugaboo Turtle Air by Nuna. Let’s discuss a few of the features of this car seat so you can get to know it better. As we mentioned, it meets current car seat standards, but in addition to that, the Turtle Air by Nuna is also convenient for you and ideal for your little partner in crime. This car seat is part of a travel system, meaning it attaches to the car seat and is compatible with the Bugaboo antBeeDonkey 5FoxLynx, and Cameleon 3 strollers.

Featuring a lightweight design and ergonomic carry handle, this car seat allows you to move from the car to the stroller and back again without batting an eye. The Turtle Air by Nuna makes things easy for you. But what about comfort for your baby? We’ve got you covered there, too. The sun canopy and smart shade provide extra protection for your baby whether you’re on the road or out for a stroll. Plus, the smart shade features magnetic clips so you can quietly transition your baby.

For cozy comfort, the merino wool is ideal for your newborn’s delicate skin, providing comfy climate control. The baby inlay helps snugly secure your baby in the seat, and the adjustable head support allows you to modify it as your child grows. Now that you know a little more about the Turtle Air by Nuna, let’s talk about the car seat installation instructions. Keep in mind that one car seat base is included with your Turtle Air by Nuna car seat, but you can add an extra base to leave in your second car or your friend’s car. This way, you’re not constantly moving the base from one car to the other. To watch a video of the car seat installation process we’ll mention below, click here.


1) Open the stability leg

The Turtle Air by Nuna car seat base is made with a stability leg designed to minimize the impact force transferred to your baby and ensure a secure ride. The first step in the short installation process is to pull open and extend the leg.


2) Place the base on the seat

Second, place the car seat base on the seat with the stability leg perpendicular to the floor at the front of the seat.


3) Extend the stability leg

Extend the stability leg toward the floor until the indicator turns green, letting you know that it’s engaged correctly.

Car seat with stability leg

4) Connect the anchors to the seat

You’re already on the final step to install the base! To connect the rigid latch anchors to the vehicle seat, push down and forward. The indicator will turn green when you’ve got it just right. You’ll see a bubble that looks like a level tool. Be sure the bubble is touching the black line. Note: If this is your first baby, you may not be familiar with the LATCH system in your car. LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. This system allows for car seat installation without the use of the seat belt. You’ll find the two anchors you need in the back seat of your car, where the backrest and the seat cushion meet.


5) Place the car seat on the base

All that’s left to do is place the car seat on the base. It clicks in so that you won’t be able to lift the car seat off. If your baby is not already strapped in safe and sound, buckle them using the five-point harness, tighten the straps as needed, and you’re ready to roll. Remember this is a travel system, so the car seat can be used on your Bugaboo stroller when you’ve arrived at your destination. Simply release the car seat from the base by pushing up on the white button on the front of the base and placing the car seat on your stroller.

Remember this is a travel system, so the car seat can be used on your Bugaboo stroller when you’ve arrived at your destination.

Car seat on stroller

Car seat installation made easy

Car seat installation doesn’t have to be — and shouldn’t be — a headache! No matter what car seat you’re using, refer to the manual for specific installation instructions or find a Child Passenger Safety Technician in your area to set it up for you. For a quality car seat that can be installed in a matter of seconds, we recommend the Bugaboo Turtle Air by Nuna. This lightweight, cozy car seat is part of a travel system that works with a stroller, allowing you to whisk your baby from car to stroller in no time. The Turtle Air by Nuna is car seat installation made easy. And that’s exactly as it should be so you can have fun and explore the world with your child!

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