You need to go to the grocery store, and sure enough, your baby fell asleep in the 10 minutes it took to get there. As CPSTs, we counsel parents on this one quite a bit, mostly because nearly every infant seat manual specifically states not to put the car seat on top of the shopping cart. Thanks for some great info! And the same is true for an infant seat and a grocery cart. Ultimately, as long as you have the baby in a place where theyre comfortable and safely positioned (breathing not obstructed, not going to fall or get injured, and arent using the car seat, cart, stroller, or any other product in a way that goes against the manufacturers instructions), theres still plenty of room for creativity here. Is that really safe? Parents use infant car seats as more than just car seats. Obviously its really only appropriate for infants who cant move around much on their own or try to climb out. Pushing one cart and pulling another isnt as unwieldy as you might think (some parents of large families regularly need two carts anyway), and sometimes a store employee may even offer to assist you. Sure you could scroll through Instagram while you wait for her to wake up, but your, idling engine is wasting gas and polluting the air, . So then is the best solution to keep your baby in her car seat and place it in the cart? Our grocery store has newer carts with double baskets. On the following pages, I'll explain what you should do instead! 1986-2022. And last but not least, car seats are not meant to be used for long durations outside of the car. And, obviously less seriously, excessive use of infant car seats can result in flattening of the back of babys head (brachycephaly), which may require use of a head orthosis to correct later on. These are the rules you must follow to restrain your children safely. In a news report on the childs death they report that the seat was placed in the part of the car closest to the push bar, where a toddler might sit, which is precisely the myth we are discussing. I honestly couldnt think of another practical way to shop with a young infant. You need a safe, convenient, mom and baby-approved, A grocery cart hammock is how you can safely fit a car seat in a shopping cart and still have room for all your groceries. Heather, Kecia, Darren & Team: The Most Trusted Source for Car Seat Reviews, Ratings, Deals & News Since 2008. Learn more about. If you need to take the car seat into the store, put it in the carts large basket, taking care to keep items like raw meat away from your baby since they can harbor illness-inducing germs. All information is provided on an as-is basis for readers in the USA & Canada. Always secure your baby with the seats safety belt or harness, adjusting the straps as necessary so your sweetie stays put. I've seen parents pushing shopping carts with car seats on top of them. Another recent innovation areshopping cart hammocks. The fatality occurred when a 3-month-old boy fell while secured in a car seat that was not secured to the shopping cart after the cart was pushed over a speed bump in the parking lot.. The bottom shelf is roomy, but theres a chance your groceries could roll off onto the floor. A grocery cart hammock is how you can safely fit a car seat in a shopping cart and still have room for all your groceries. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. And yes, we know youre being careful, pushing baby slowly in the cart, but can you really trust everyone else in the store not to bump into you? Made from Waterproof Material, Black, FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon, Pipishell Shopping Cart with Dual Swivel Wheels for Groceries - Compact Folding Portable Cart Saves Space - with Adjustable Handle Height - Lightweight Easy to Move Holds up to 70L/Max 66Ibs -PITUC1, TICCI Shopping Cart Stair Climbing Lightweight Foldable Waterproof Insulated Shopping Bag Big Capacity Grocery Folding Cart Large Laundry Utility Cart (6 Wheels), MacSports Heavy Duty Outdoor Folding Wagon Double Decker Portable Lightweight Utility Cart Rolling Cart All Terrain Beach Wagon for Camping Gear, Beach Accessories, Groceries, GOFLAME Folding Shopping Cart Portable with Removable Bag and Wheels, Waterproof Grocery Trolly Cart Heavy Duty for Shopping, Camping, DMI Utility Cart with Wheels to be used as a Shopping Cart, Grocery Cart, Laundry Cart and Stair Climber Cart, Weighs 7.5 Pounds but holds up to 90 Pounds, Compact and Foldable, Black, VViViD FLDCRT30KG Small Two-Wheeled Folding Plastic Universal Utility Hand Cart Featuring Telescoping Aluminum Handle, Foldable Utility Cart, Heavy Duty Stair Climber Grocery Utility Cart, Portable Shopping Cart Crate Handcart with 360 Rolling Swivel Wheels&Telescopic Handle&Removable Lid for Travel Office Groceries, Whitmor Deluxe Utility Cart, Extra Large, Black, Portable Shopping Cart Folding Grocery Utility Climb Stair Cart with Rolling Swivel Wheels and Waterproof Removable Canvas Bag - 35L Medium Navy Blue, XINGLANG Folding Shopping Cart, Collapsible and Heavy Duty Grocery Cart, Easy Moving Deluxe Utility Cart with 360Rolling Swivel Wheels , Jumbo Large 130L Capacity Shopping Cart for Groceries(Black), SUPENICE Grocery Utility Shopping Cart - Deluxe Folding Cart with Double Basket and 360 Rolling Swivel Wheels 66 lbs Utility Cart with Wide Cushion Handle Bar for Grocery Laundry Book Luggage Travel, TICCI Shopping Cart Lightweight Foldable Waterproof Insulated Shopping Bag Big Capacity Grocery Folding Cart Large Laundry Utility Cart (2 Wheels), Folding Shopping Cart for Groceries Utility Cart with Wheels Grocery Cart with Rolling Wheels and Waterproof Removable Canvas Bag (Black), Goplus Folding Shopping Utility Cart, Double Basket and 360 Swivel Wheels, Adjustable Handle, Small Cart Perfect for Grocery Laundry Book Luggage Travel, School Smart Letter Size Folding File Cart with Handle, 11 x 11 x 12-7/8 Inches - 086295. The part of this is that because the shape of a grocery cart wont be the same as the shape of your base, trying to click it onto the cart might actually ruin the locking mechanism of your car seat. American Academy of Pediatrics, Pediatrics. Some parents use the fold-down child seat or shelf under the cart. Its not safe. If you dont have all that many things to pick up, and you have a stroller with a good-sized storage basket underneath, using the basket as a cart could be worth a try (just make sure not to overload the basket or load it in a way that could make it tip over). You need a safe, convenient, mom and baby-approved grocery cart hammock. Anytime your baby is in the car seat, the car seat should either be in the car, on the stroller or ON THE FLOOR. An infant carrier is a good option because you can shop hands-free, but it can still restrict your movements (no bending over to pick up dropped toothpaste), and do you really think shell stay asleep? Our modern invention comes in several modern designs. So then is the best solution to, Your best and safest choice isnt putting the car seat in the cart. So lets set aside that seat for the remainder of this discussion because its no longer true of that model of car seat. Know Your Rights! No baby carrier and not having to push two carts means youre ready for hands-free shopping. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Simply. Parikh S, Wilson L. Hazardous Use of Car Seats Outside the Car in the United States, 20032007 Pediatrics. In a similar vein, the LullaBelay hangs the carrier from the shopping cart handle. to the sides of the cart with the two weight-tested clips and further secure it with a Velcro strap. It makes the cart top-heavy. Even if it seems to be secure, shopping with the infant seat on top of the cart is never safe. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. This is a popular myth weve covered in the past and it deserves to be busted as often as possible! Although it might appear that the seat clicks onto the cart securely, it doesnt stop it from being top-heavy, and attaching the seat to something its not designed to attach to can damage the locking mechanism and prevent it from holding the seat into the base in a crash. 2022 AutoWeb, Inc., all rights reserved. And I know weve all seen what seems like the easiest answer- putting the infant seat, with the baby, into the top part of the grocery basket. So while you can put a baby car seat directly in a shopping cart, youre left with about half or less of the space you should have for food. Thanks, Katie! As the name suggests, they suspend baby across the cart in kind of a sling and the car seat isnt used at all. First, I would like to clarify that yes, once upon a time (a long, long time ago), there was an infant car seat that specified in the manual that you could do this (it was the Baby Trend Flex-Loc), however, the current Baby Trend manual does NOT allow it. Cover and Adjustable Straps for Easy and Secure Attachment. You must read your carseat and vehicle owner's manual and understand any relevant state laws. Some content provided by and under copyright by Autodata, Inc. dba Chrome Data. Happy, safe shopping! 8 Common Things New Parents Don't Know About Car Seats, 9 Things to Know Before Going Car Seat Shopping, 10 MORE Car Seat Mistakes You Didnt Know You Were Making, 10 Car Seat Mistakes You Didn't Know You Were Making. Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. I havent noticed if other places have that or not since I mostly shop at Target. Never did that again! These kid-friendly models typically sit closer to the ground, so theres less risk for injury. While I havent had the opportunity to try one myself, it does seem like it would be worth checking out. For most babies, thats sometime between 6 and 9 months. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has put forth a document describing the injuries to children related to grocery charts from birth to age of 5. The SafeDock is a device permanently installed on top of carts at some stores which is intended to provide a place to safely buckle the seat onto the cart. And you wouldnt necessarily be able to see that or know that it wasnt working until it was stressed by a crash. Lets find out. In that position, the seat cant fall off the cart and it wont lead to the cart being top-heavy. With my baby in it. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances. Your best and safest choice isnt putting the car seat in the cart. In recent years, babywearing has become a very popular practice for various reasons, and one of them is that it keeps baby close while leaving your hands free for things like shopping. Download The AppDaily pregnancy & newborn updates with our FREE app. There are signs posted on the infant seat and virtually every car seat manual says that you shouldnt do this, but, is it really as unsafe as the signs lead us to believe? Shop products from small business brands sold in Amazons store. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. Dont do it. If you do that, you wont have much room for groceries and the car seat could move and cause your baby to sit in an incorrect position.
You need to go to the grocery store, and sure enough, your baby fell asleep in the 10 minutes it took to get there. As CPSTs, we counsel parents on this one quite a bit, mostly because nearly every infant seat manual specifically states not to put the car seat on top of the shopping cart. Thanks for some great info! And the same is true for an infant seat and a grocery cart. Ultimately, as long as you have the baby in a place where theyre comfortable and safely positioned (breathing not obstructed, not going to fall or get injured, and arent using the car seat, cart, stroller, or any other product in a way that goes against the manufacturers instructions), theres still plenty of room for creativity here. Is that really safe? Parents use infant car seats as more than just car seats. Obviously its really only appropriate for infants who cant move around much on their own or try to climb out. Pushing one cart and pulling another isnt as unwieldy as you might think (some parents of large families regularly need two carts anyway), and sometimes a store employee may even offer to assist you. Sure you could scroll through Instagram while you wait for her to wake up, but your, idling engine is wasting gas and polluting the air, . So then is the best solution to keep your baby in her car seat and place it in the cart? Our grocery store has newer carts with double baskets. On the following pages, I'll explain what you should do instead! 1986-2022. And last but not least, car seats are not meant to be used for long durations outside of the car. And, obviously less seriously, excessive use of infant car seats can result in flattening of the back of babys head (brachycephaly), which may require use of a head orthosis to correct later on. These are the rules you must follow to restrain your children safely. In a news report on the childs death they report that the seat was placed in the part of the car closest to the push bar, where a toddler might sit, which is precisely the myth we are discussing. I honestly couldnt think of another practical way to shop with a young infant. You need a safe, convenient, mom and baby-approved, A grocery cart hammock is how you can safely fit a car seat in a shopping cart and still have room for all your groceries. Heather, Kecia, Darren & Team: The Most Trusted Source for Car Seat Reviews, Ratings, Deals & News Since 2008. Learn more about. If you need to take the car seat into the store, put it in the carts large basket, taking care to keep items like raw meat away from your baby since they can harbor illness-inducing germs. All information is provided on an as-is basis for readers in the USA & Canada. Always secure your baby with the seats safety belt or harness, adjusting the straps as necessary so your sweetie stays put. I've seen parents pushing shopping carts with car seats on top of them. Another recent innovation areshopping cart hammocks. The fatality occurred when a 3-month-old boy fell while secured in a car seat that was not secured to the shopping cart after the cart was pushed over a speed bump in the parking lot.. The bottom shelf is roomy, but theres a chance your groceries could roll off onto the floor. A grocery cart hammock is how you can safely fit a car seat in a shopping cart and still have room for all your groceries. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. And yes, we know youre being careful, pushing baby slowly in the cart, but can you really trust everyone else in the store not to bump into you? Made from Waterproof Material, Black, FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon, Pipishell Shopping Cart with Dual Swivel Wheels for Groceries - Compact Folding Portable Cart Saves Space - with Adjustable Handle Height - Lightweight Easy to Move Holds up to 70L/Max 66Ibs -PITUC1, TICCI Shopping Cart Stair Climbing Lightweight Foldable Waterproof Insulated Shopping Bag Big Capacity Grocery Folding Cart Large Laundry Utility Cart (6 Wheels), MacSports Heavy Duty Outdoor Folding Wagon Double Decker Portable Lightweight Utility Cart Rolling Cart All Terrain Beach Wagon for Camping Gear, Beach Accessories, Groceries, GOFLAME Folding Shopping Cart Portable with Removable Bag and Wheels, Waterproof Grocery Trolly Cart Heavy Duty for Shopping, Camping, DMI Utility Cart with Wheels to be used as a Shopping Cart, Grocery Cart, Laundry Cart and Stair Climber Cart, Weighs 7.5 Pounds but holds up to 90 Pounds, Compact and Foldable, Black, VViViD FLDCRT30KG Small Two-Wheeled Folding Plastic Universal Utility Hand Cart Featuring Telescoping Aluminum Handle, Foldable Utility Cart, Heavy Duty Stair Climber Grocery Utility Cart, Portable Shopping Cart Crate Handcart with 360 Rolling Swivel Wheels&Telescopic Handle&Removable Lid for Travel Office Groceries, Whitmor Deluxe Utility Cart, Extra Large, Black, Portable Shopping Cart Folding Grocery Utility Climb Stair Cart with Rolling Swivel Wheels and Waterproof Removable Canvas Bag - 35L Medium Navy Blue, XINGLANG Folding Shopping Cart, Collapsible and Heavy Duty Grocery Cart, Easy Moving Deluxe Utility Cart with 360Rolling Swivel Wheels , Jumbo Large 130L Capacity Shopping Cart for Groceries(Black), SUPENICE Grocery Utility Shopping Cart - Deluxe Folding Cart with Double Basket and 360 Rolling Swivel Wheels 66 lbs Utility Cart with Wide Cushion Handle Bar for Grocery Laundry Book Luggage Travel, TICCI Shopping Cart Lightweight Foldable Waterproof Insulated Shopping Bag Big Capacity Grocery Folding Cart Large Laundry Utility Cart (2 Wheels), Folding Shopping Cart for Groceries Utility Cart with Wheels Grocery Cart with Rolling Wheels and Waterproof Removable Canvas Bag (Black), Goplus Folding Shopping Utility Cart, Double Basket and 360 Swivel Wheels, Adjustable Handle, Small Cart Perfect for Grocery Laundry Book Luggage Travel, School Smart Letter Size Folding File Cart with Handle, 11 x 11 x 12-7/8 Inches - 086295. The part of this is that because the shape of a grocery cart wont be the same as the shape of your base, trying to click it onto the cart might actually ruin the locking mechanism of your car seat. American Academy of Pediatrics, Pediatrics. Some parents use the fold-down child seat or shelf under the cart. Its not safe. If you dont have all that many things to pick up, and you have a stroller with a good-sized storage basket underneath, using the basket as a cart could be worth a try (just make sure not to overload the basket or load it in a way that could make it tip over). You need a safe, convenient, mom and baby-approved grocery cart hammock. Anytime your baby is in the car seat, the car seat should either be in the car, on the stroller or ON THE FLOOR. An infant carrier is a good option because you can shop hands-free, but it can still restrict your movements (no bending over to pick up dropped toothpaste), and do you really think shell stay asleep? Our modern invention comes in several modern designs. So then is the best solution to, Your best and safest choice isnt putting the car seat in the cart. So lets set aside that seat for the remainder of this discussion because its no longer true of that model of car seat. Know Your Rights! No baby carrier and not having to push two carts means youre ready for hands-free shopping. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Simply. Parikh S, Wilson L. Hazardous Use of Car Seats Outside the Car in the United States, 20032007 Pediatrics. In a similar vein, the LullaBelay hangs the carrier from the shopping cart handle. to the sides of the cart with the two weight-tested clips and further secure it with a Velcro strap. It makes the cart top-heavy. Even if it seems to be secure, shopping with the infant seat on top of the cart is never safe. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. This is a popular myth weve covered in the past and it deserves to be busted as often as possible! Although it might appear that the seat clicks onto the cart securely, it doesnt stop it from being top-heavy, and attaching the seat to something its not designed to attach to can damage the locking mechanism and prevent it from holding the seat into the base in a crash. 2022 AutoWeb, Inc., all rights reserved. And I know weve all seen what seems like the easiest answer- putting the infant seat, with the baby, into the top part of the grocery basket. So while you can put a baby car seat directly in a shopping cart, youre left with about half or less of the space you should have for food. Thanks, Katie! As the name suggests, they suspend baby across the cart in kind of a sling and the car seat isnt used at all. First, I would like to clarify that yes, once upon a time (a long, long time ago), there was an infant car seat that specified in the manual that you could do this (it was the Baby Trend Flex-Loc), however, the current Baby Trend manual does NOT allow it. Cover and Adjustable Straps for Easy and Secure Attachment. You must read your carseat and vehicle owner's manual and understand any relevant state laws. Some content provided by and under copyright by Autodata, Inc. dba Chrome Data. Happy, safe shopping! 8 Common Things New Parents Don't Know About Car Seats, 9 Things to Know Before Going Car Seat Shopping, 10 MORE Car Seat Mistakes You Didnt Know You Were Making, 10 Car Seat Mistakes You Didn't Know You Were Making. Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. I havent noticed if other places have that or not since I mostly shop at Target. Never did that again! These kid-friendly models typically sit closer to the ground, so theres less risk for injury. While I havent had the opportunity to try one myself, it does seem like it would be worth checking out. For most babies, thats sometime between 6 and 9 months. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has put forth a document describing the injuries to children related to grocery charts from birth to age of 5. The SafeDock is a device permanently installed on top of carts at some stores which is intended to provide a place to safely buckle the seat onto the cart. And you wouldnt necessarily be able to see that or know that it wasnt working until it was stressed by a crash. Lets find out. In that position, the seat cant fall off the cart and it wont lead to the cart being top-heavy. With my baby in it. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances. Your best and safest choice isnt putting the car seat in the cart. In recent years, babywearing has become a very popular practice for various reasons, and one of them is that it keeps baby close while leaving your hands free for things like shopping. Download The AppDaily pregnancy & newborn updates with our FREE app. There are signs posted on the infant seat and virtually every car seat manual says that you shouldnt do this, but, is it really as unsafe as the signs lead us to believe? Shop products from small business brands sold in Amazons store. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. Dont do it. If you do that, you wont have much room for groceries and the car seat could move and cause your baby to sit in an incorrect position.