How To Put A Car Seat On A Shopping Cart?

Your baby’s safety should always be your top priority. But when you go to the grocery store, your second priority is to get in and out as quickly as possible.

It might seem safe to place your baby’s car seat on top of the shopping cart, but it is actually a big safety risk. Here I will share with you how to put a car seat on a shopping cart.

Things You Should Do When Shopping With An Infant Car Seat:

• Place the car seat in the shopping cart’s main basket. Only this method is safe for holding a car seat in a shopping cart.
• You can also carry your baby in a sling or push them in a stroller.
• If your grocery store has Safe-Docks, you can secure your car seat there.
• Keep an eye on your shopping cart, and don’t leave little children unattended.

Why Should Not Put A Car Seat On A Shopping Cart?

It is dangerous to balance a baby on a shopping cart, and it was never meant for that purpose. In such a small space, an accident is just waiting to happen. It would be best if you avoided this as much as possible.

According to AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), 23,000 children end up in the hospital every year because they fall from shopping carts. So, you should only put your baby in a shopping cart if there is no alternative for you. And never ever forget to take safety measures.

How To Put A Car Seat In A Shopping Cart Safely?

There are three ways to put a car seat in a shopping cart. They are: –

Method #1: Put the car seat in the main basket of the shopping cart

Set the car seat in the main basket if you want to keep it safe in the shopping cart. This way, your baby won’t fall or tip over, and the cart won’t be too heavy.

Since it’s right in front of you, it can’t fall over or tip down accidentally, and your baby will be surrounded by groceries. The problem is that it takes up so much space.

Although this method does not help much with space, you might be able to work it out by placing the groceries around the car seat.

Putting a car seat on top of a shopping cart is not a good idea. While it may appear like your car seat “clicks” into place around the shopping cart, a minor bump might tip your car seat off. So, the only secure location to put a car seat in a shopping cart is in the main basket.

Method #2: Use A Cart Hammock

You should use a cart hammock if you go shopping frequently. Cart hammocks fit any standard-sized shopping cart to form the ideal cradle for your child. Simply tie either end of the hammock to the cart’s sides, place your infant inside, and strap them in.

As the hammock floats on top of the main basket, you can easily put your items below it. Cart hammocks are rated for newborns weighing up to 50 pounds, which is around the time your baby begins to sit up on their own.

It provides both safety and storage capacity for goods. When you’re done, you just have to release the buckle, take out the car seat, and unclip the hammock.

The hammock may fit any place because it is portable and lightweight. It is simple to use and may be left in your car for use while you go shopping.

Method #3: Use the Safe Dock

The Safe Dock is usually included with the shopping cart in some grocery shops. A Safe-Dock is a universal car seat docking station in which your car seat may be safely installed.

If you notice a docking station on the shopping carts at your local supermarket, simply click your car seat into the docking station like you would in your car. Then, wrap the strap around the car seat to fasten it.

The removal procedure is the same: unbuckle the car seat and remove it. The Safe Dock is the finest since it has the biggest storage capacity for groceries. The car seat has taken up no space.

Safety Tips While Using a Shopping Cart with a Car Seat

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends never placing your baby’s car seat on top of the cart’s toddler seat. Even if the seat seems secure, this will make the cart top-heavy and make it more likely to tip over. 

Place the car seat in the cart’s large basket, taking care to keep items like raw meat away from your baby since they can harbour germs that cause illness. Instead, put them under the cart. 

Nevertheless, if you can avoid having to put the car seat in the shopping cart, that would be even better. While grocery shopping, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you wear your little one in a carrier or sling. As a result, your baby will be kept safe while you are able to push the cart and pick up the items with your hands-free. 

When Can A Baby Sit in A Shopping Cart?

When your baby is 6 to 7 months old, he/she can sit in a shopping cart seat. Once your baby is able to sit up on their own, they can sit in the child seat. Make sure your baby wears their safety buckle at all times, and follow all safety instructions on the shopping cart.

So, once your baby is able to sit up well on their own, around 6 to 7 months old, you can put them in a shopping cart seat. When it comes to shopping carts, lap belts are usually not adequate for early sitters, so it’s best to wait until your child is able to sit for an extended period of time before putting them in a car seat.

What Is The Best Way To Put A Car Seat In A Shopping Cart?

Using a hammock is the best way to fit a car seat in a shopping cart. Also, if your grocery store has a safe dock, you can use it. It is possible to place the car seat in the cart’s largest basket if you prefer.

How To Go Grocery Shopping With A Baby?

Putting the car seat in the grocery cart facing backwards is the best way to get your baby into the cart if he or she is in a car seat.

Know More: How to Grocery Shop with a Baby Stroller?

Last Opinion

If you go shopping frequently, you’ll need to use a hammock to fit a car seat in a shopping cart. You can also use the safe dock. It is also possible to put the car set directly in the main basket of the shopping cart.

In this article, I try to explain how to put a car seat on a shopping cart. Hopefully, you liked that. Please leave a comment if you have any doubts.