What is the Clek Infant-Thingy Insert?
When I refer to this product as the Clek Infant-Thingy Insert for Newborns, this is not me being lazy, forgetful or imprecise about its name … it is actually (and officially) called the Clek Infant-Thingy Insert – no really, it is! Whatever your thoughts on the product, you have to admire Clek’s originality and sense of humor when choosing its name.
So, why is it necessary?
Well, although the Clek Fonf and Clek Fllo convertible car seats are both stylish and increasingly popular premium products, they both have a big flaw when it comes to parents of newborns. That big flaw is that they are not suitable for use with newborns straight out of the box and, prior to the invention of the Clek Infant-Thingy Insert, there was no safe way to make them suitable for use with newborns.
The minimum weight limit for these seats (without the new Insert) is 14 lbs and so any parent that wanted to buy one to use with a new baby either had to avoid driving them around until they reached that weight limit or buy an additional infant car seat for use in those early days.
Whilst for some, avoiding driving for a few weeks might be an option, for many (if not most) it would not be at all convenient.
Although the Clek Infant-Thingy Insert is not cheap ($69.99), it is certainly cheaper than buying a premium infant car seat first as this is likely to cost somewhere in the region of $200.
So, the new Clek Insert allows you to avoid the need to buy an infant car seat first since the Fllo and Foonf convertibles can now be used from birth (unless your child weighs less than 5 lbs).
The official weight and height limits for both seats using the Clek Insert are: 5 – 22lbs and 19 – 33 inches
For those of you that are understandably suspicious of after-market accessories, you can be re-assured by the fact that this product is manufactured by Clek themselves. This is not some 3rd party invention that has not been properly tested – it is an official Clek product and it is no different from using infant inserts from other big name car seat companies that often supply them when you buy the seat itself.
If you want to find out more about the Clek Fllo and Foonf car seats, you can read my in-depth comparison review here.
What exactly does it do?
The Clek Infant-Thingy Insert works like most other infant inserts – it provides added padding and protection to ensure that your small baby is able to be safely and securely positioned within a seat that would otherwise be too big.
The Insert’s 2-piece design comprises a plush and padded body support and head support.
The headrest is adjustable for added protection and the whole insert is made from what is described as a “GREENGUARD Select Certified Crypton Super Fabric”. In fact, the Clek seat themselves are made from the same fabric, which is designed to provide permanent protection against stains, moisture, and door-causing bacteria. What’s more, the insert is also free of brominated and chlorinated flame retardants.
Note: The 2015 model of the Clek Foonf has an extra lower harness slot at 8 inches to make it easier to get a good fit when using the Insert with a newborn. The older versions of the Foonf and Fllo seats can still be safely used with the Infant-Thingy Insert, but if you can afford the extra $50 or so, want total peace of mind, and don’t already own a Clek convertible car seat, I recommend the current version. So, if you already have an older Foonf or Fllo seat and are expecting a new baby, you can simply buy the insert to make the seat suitable for use from birth rather that having to buy a whole new seat.
Additional Information
- Hand washable
- 1-year manufacturer’s warranty
- No expiration
Included in the Box
- Body support
- Head support
- Infant-thingy manual
Where to Buy the Clek Infant-Thingy Insert
Check the Latest Price of the Clek Infant-Thingy Insert.
Safety Information
After purchasing any child car seat, you should always read the User Manual thoroughly before using it. It is also advisable to visit your local Fire Department or NHTSA Child Car Seat Inspection Centre to ensure that the seat is definitely suitable for your child’s specific requirements and that you have installed it correctly. These services are usually provided free of charge.
You can find your nearest NHTSA Centre here.
Get in Touch
If you have any comments to share or questions to ask about my Clek Infant-Thingy Insert for Newborns post, please leave a comment in the box below or send me an email.
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