If you've recently had a baby, you've entered a whole new ballgame as you may be constantly thinking about naps, sleeping through the night, feeding, and diapers. Your responsibilities have expanded significantly, and here are a few things to think about as you put your baby in his or her car seat.

1. Is your car seat installed properly?

A recent study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Foundation found that 46% of car seats were installed or used incorrectly. That statistic may be alarming considering how many things we do to keep our babies safe, and it goes to show how little adjustments can make the difference between proper and improper harnessing. 

You've likely read your car seat manual more than a few times as you figured out how the seat worked, but it wouldn't hurt to get your set-up checked out by a child passenger safety technician. Many local firehouses have staff members who have received training and certification in this field, and you can have them assess whether you're doing everything right.

2. If your car breaks down, do you have easy access to help?

Modern cars are generally pretty reliable, but you can never rule out the possibility of getting a flat tire, having your battery die, or experiencing any other sort of problem while you're on the road. To make sure you have a way to get immediate help when your baby is with you, you can speak with your auto insurance provider about adding a roadside assistance component to your policy if you don't already have one. For a small monthly fee, you can gain tremendous peace of mind knowing that a reliable professional will be there to bail you out of any emergency.

3. Are you financially protected in case of an accident?

Once your new baby comes along, you have to budget for additional food and clothing, and you'll hopefully have funds to allow for future educational and enrichment opportunities. One smart way to look out for your household is to secure adequate insurance coverage.

As of 2009, the average cost of an injury-only car crash was $129,000, and many serious injuries can now cost upwards of a million dollars. If you're involved in an accident, you may be responsible for those medical costs, and you could be putting your family in a vulnerable position if you don't have the right amount of insurance. An insurance agent can answer your questions about what type of coverage might be best, given your financial situation. A rule of thumb is that you want to have coverage that is at least as much as your total assets.

For more information, contact a local company like Hamsher Insurance.

If you need any guidance as you try to come up with answers for these questions, you can turn to experts in each field. They're ready to set you up with everything you might need as a new parent.

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