Grocery Shopping With Baby 101: Why You Shouldn't Put Your Car Seat On Top of Grocery Carts (And What To Do Instead)
You had a baby and you need food! What do you do with the baby in the store? If putting the car seat on top of the cart seems tempting (or if you’ve done it in the past) this blog is for you.
Putting an infant seat on top of a grocery cart isn’t safe because:
Your infant car seat is only supposed to click onto its base. The bars on the grocery cart aren’t the same size and shape as the ones on the base, so it can damage the locking parts on the bottom of the car seat that keep it safely on the base.
An infant car seat can make a grocery cart (even one with a dock) top heavy and it could tip over. From 2008-2012, emergency departments saw over 107,000 children under 5 for shopping cart related injuries. 14,700 of those were babies under one!
Here are four ways to grocery shop safely with your baby:
Wear your baby! Put them in a wearable baby carrier so you can have your hands free to push the cart.
Put the infant seat in the big part of the cart with the carry handle all the way back in the “stabilize” position. The car seat isn’t correctly reclined, so always keep an eye on your baby to make sure their head doesn’t fall to their chest.
Dock your car seat into a stroller with a large carry basket and use that to shop!
Order ahead and use grocery pick-up! Target, Aldi, Safeway, Kroger, Walmart, Wegman’s (my personal favorite - shopping there is fun), Whole Foods, Albertsons, Publix, Sprouts, H-E-B, and more offer grocery pickup.
Guest Post by Britney Schroeder, CPST (@buckleandlatch)
But this is our 3rd winter with one of these coats, and they're a lifesaver. Slight learning curve when you first get one, but not having to take the coat on and off in the cold is worth it. It's also piece of mind that it won't fall off when driving or if in an accident (kiddo will be warm when waiting for first responders). We live in Chicago and the Toast is warm enough for quick errands and the Toasty is nicer for deep winter. We do have a larger parka coat if we spend more time outdoors.
Buckle Me Baby Car Seat Coats
01/28/2026
Fransheska
Safest jacket for kids
I ordered a green toastier coat for my 1 year old. Now when I did receive it that there was a tear in the jacket. But customer service made it simple in easy to file a claim to receive another one which was great. I had 1 already for my son but it became to small. I love these coats though they make it easy to just buckle your child without removing the coat. As well it gives me the peace of mind knowing he is sitting safely in his car seat. Definitely would recommend and be riding another once this one get too small again.
Toastier Car Seat Coats
01/03/2026
K.H.
A great way to save & give back!
Made upgrading a breeze!
Swoondle Trade Up Bag
12/27/2025
Heather
Great coat for toddler
Love our car seat coat. This is our second year ordering and will be coming back again next year. Perfect for bringing kids out without having to take their coats on and off in the cold.
Toasty Car Seat Coat Different Color per size - FINAL SALE
12/26/2025
Amy G.
Great product
This product is great. I was thinking about a coat for my grandson that he could wear in his car seat, and I was told about the Buckle Me Coats. It works great and keeps him warm.
Toasty Car Seat Coat
12/10/2025
Roxann B.
Awesome
It's a Christmas gift for my granddaughter 😁
Toast Car Seat Coat
12/09/2025
Cheyenne B.
Definitely recommend
This is amazing I love how it soft and keeps her warm and cozy in her car seat. It easy covers over the car seat buckle and I love the plaid cover
Cozy Car Seat Blanket | Buckle Me Baby Blankies
12/08/2025
Althea O.
Warm, convenient and love it
I work at the Turnpike and I get sick of seeing babies drug and just pajamas cause people don’t wanna waste time putting a coat on them. This is wonderful because I can wrap a baby in it. They’re still warm.
Cozy Car Seat Blanket | Buckle Me Baby Blankies
12/06/2025
Madeline P.
Car seat coat
We live this jacket. It’s so convenient and comfortable for our little guy
Toasty Car Seat Coat
12/03/2025
Jama L.
Amazing!
This is absolutely amazing.. kept our granddaughter toasty warm on a cold night kicking off the Christmas holiday in Tennessee!
Buckle Me Baby Cozier Car Seat Blankie
12/02/2025
Crystal G.
Warm
I was worried about how to keep my baby warm during the cold months in Ohio. I personally can warm up my car first but my sister cannot. I stumbled upon these coats and went back and forth. I bought a poncho and two other coats before I caved. I feel so much better that she is warm and safe in her car seat. I rarely write reviews, but this company offers 20% off for a review so if that tells you anything, I’ll be buying another one for next year-I wanted the discount.
Toast Car Seat Coat
12/01/2025
Dev
Soft and warm
Just got the buckle me baby blanket the other day. It’s super soft and warm. I look forward to using it in the car seat and stroller to keep my little monster warm. I think I’m going to order a coat for her as well for those extra cold days!
Cozy Car Seat Blanket | Buckle Me Baby Blankies
11/29/2025
Shaina
We love these coats!
We’ve always loved these coats first my daughter now for my son. They make buckling with a coat so much easier and safer and my kids are always warm!
Toastier Car Seat Coat Different Color per size - FINAL SALE
11/28/2025
Stacey
I have ordered two of these coats for my daughter over the years and have now ordered one for my infant. It's so nice to know they're warm and safe!
Toast Car Seat Coat
11/28/2025
Annie
Perfect
Toasty Car Seat Coat
11/24/2025
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