Final answer:
The nurse should instruct the parents to place the newborn in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat, secured either by the vehicle's seat belt or LATCH system. This is important for the infant's safety during transportation and is linked to overall practices that promote infant safety such as those related to preventing SIDS.
Step-by-step explanation:
When providing discharge teaching to the parents of a newborn about car seat safety, the nurse should include the instruction to ensure the car seat is rear-facing and placed in the back seat of the vehicle. This positioning is critical for the protection of the newborn, as it is the safest position in the event of an accident. The car seat should be secured using the vehicle's seat belt or LATCH system, not merely placed on the seat. It's also important to avoid the front seat due to the presence of airbags, which can be dangerous to infants in a car seat. The car seat should be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions and the fit should be snug, with the harness straps properly adjusted around the newborn.
Current research on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) emphasizes the importance of safe sleep practices, which are somewhat related to proper car seat usage as both are preventative measures for infant safety. Placing an infant on their back to sleep and avoiding soft bedding are some of the recommended practices to reduce the risk of SIDS, just as securing an infant in a rear-facing car seat can help prevent injury in the event of a collision.