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)
I purchased the pink for my new granddaughter for Christmas. We live in AZ so it doesn’t really get that cold. Being a Nana of 6, I hate taking coats on and off at the car seat. I’m really happy that I found the buckle me coat.
Buckle Me Baby Cozy Car Seat Blankies
09/10/2025
Laura H.
Love it
Warm enough for Chicago winters in and out of the car (we use a different coat if we're out for a long time). Totally worth it to not have to take it on and off when running errands or going to school! This is our 3rd winter with the same model.
Toast Car Seat Coat
09/03/2025
Annalisa W.
Love it!
The inner material is super soft!! So cozy and perfect for our harsh winters!
Toasty Car Seat Coat
09/02/2025
Aisha S.
Best pjs EVER!
I have tried bamboo pajamas from SO many different brands, but none are as good as the BMBC pjs. They're actually buttery soft, hold up extremely well in the wash, and my baby can wear them for so long due to the extendable arms/legs and stretchy material. My 14 month old is 95th percentile for height and weight and the 6/9 month BMBC pjs still fit him!!! Cannot recommend this company enough. And Dahlia, the owner, is so sweet and responsive.
Nature Jams
08/09/2025
JoAnn H.
Adoreable
So cute and so soft
Wild Child Jams
03/22/2025
Amy a.M.P.
So cozy and warm!
This is so easy to use in the car and instantly warm.
Buckle Me Baby Coziest Car Seat Blankie
03/02/2025
Atalie F.
Genius Jams are GENIUS!
I bought these pjs for my daughter and she loves them! I love that the wrist and feet fold over. The bamboo makes the pjs so soft and they are stretchy which is so nice for a growing little one! Highly recommend!!
Genius Jams
02/26/2025
Linda B.
Love it!!!
It makes it so much easier on my daughter in law when she puts the kids in the car. Specially it the early morning hours when they get dropped off to me.
Almost Gone Car Seat Blankie
02/17/2025
Susan W.
Works great!
My granddaughter loves it. Not too heavy, so she gets hot. I've had alot of people ask where I got it.
Almost Gone Car Seat Blankie
02/11/2025
Mnchevygirl88
Coat
Makes life easier with a child in a carseat
Toasty Gender Neutral Surprise Coat - FINAL SALE
02/11/2025
Chelsey K.
Exactly what I needed
My house runs cold and we keep the baby bundled with blankets to keep her warm. The problem is that our baby has happy feet and always kicks the blankets off. The cozy car seat blankie is perfect for keeping her toasty wherever she is. I was losing my mind having to pick up her blankets every few seconds, ESPECIALLY while she is in her bouncer or swing. The blankie itself is very soft but lightweight too so she doesn’t overheat. Would definitely recommend!
Almost Gone Car Seat Blankie
02/10/2025
Nana
Softest blankie ever
I was reluctant to order for my grandson, because I knew that much of the winter would be over when it arrived. Once I received it in the beginning of Feb, I couldn’t be happier with my purchase.
In addition to being the softest fabric ever….
Its so light and comfy, that it could really be used all year long! ( even on a cool evening in the summer ) And the fact that it goes from 0-24 months is an added bonus!! Highly recommend
Almost Gone Car Seat Blankie
02/04/2025
debi B.
Car seat blanket
great product! So soft and cozy bought for my 6 month old grandson. Had to roll the sleeves up a bit but it will fit him. Next winter too ! Would recommend !
Buckle Me Baby Coziest Car Seat Blankie
01/31/2025
Lanb
Must have!
I bought two of these for my, one a brown and gold for my 16mth old grandson and pink and lavender for my 20 mth old granddaughter.
I hated that the babies couldn’t wear their coats in the car. It’s cold here!!! We’ve had below zero windchills temps in the teens it lower. Getting the kids into the car, out of their coats and into the car seats is a major hassle, not to mention requires mom or dad to be out in the cold while trying to manage that.
Gigi to the rescue!! These coats are not only adorable, but so practical. I love the way they’re constructed. With Velcro next to the zipper, and the shoulder tabs, it fast and easy to get the kids secure in the car seats, harnesses against their body and the coat closed with the Velcro. The kids are warm, mom and dad’s life is easier and I’m not stressing over the babies being out minus their coat.
SURPRISE Toasty Car Seat Coats
01/20/2025
Vid E.
Amazing!
Easy to use - baby was comfortable and no tears in the carsear!
Toasty Gender Neutral Surprise Coat - FINAL SALE
01/09/2025
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