PSA: infant carriers and shopping carts

[chunkymonkeylvr]

This just popped up in a group I'm in on Facebook, a mother looking for an infant carrier that latches into. Shopping cart or clicks in.

From my understanding they do not exist. Please think about logistics when you your newborn shopping. I typically baby wear or put the carrier in the shopping basket and use two carts if needed.

Trigger warning about babies getting seriously injured and death.

Yes this is my hill and even talk to moms in stores about it.


thelactationlearningstation.wordpress.com/2013/02/23/infant-car-seats-safety-and-shopping-carts-what-you-need-to-know/

[busterrose]

There was one brand, which I can't recall, that supposedly was able to click into the carriage. I'm not sure if it did say so in the manual or not. That was during my last pregnancy three years ago but I knew with research that it was unsafe. Unfortunately many others do not. Also, since there are so many unaware people out there, new moms see others that are or have done it in the past and think it's the right thing to do.

[pearsforpoops]

There are some infant seats that supposedly have clips/hooks that can hook around part of the cart. Regardless, it's not safe. Most don't have that and even if they do, I wouldn't trust it. Plus people don't know about them.

If baby is in infant seat it goes in the bottom of the cart, or not at all. I cringe so hard when I see people in stores with infant seats teetering where toddlers are meant to sit. It's far too common.

[frecklesinside]

I also will say something to someone doing this in the store. It isn't a parenting choice, it is a serious safety issue, so I don't feel like a douche bringing it up. Honestly, it would seem most people are just uneducated about it, like too many people are uneducated about coats in car seats or where the CHEST clip goes. I can't tell you how many times top of cart seaters are multiple offenders with baby in a big snowsuit clipped in with the chest clip at the belly button...

Anyhow, I wish car seat safety was something every new parent felt the need to take the time to research. Unfortunately this isn't the case. I will again plug Car Seats for the Littles and recommend you all check out their site and FB group. They are also a better source for checking your install than the fire department. Post pictures and they'll help out.

[heyitsmamac]

A fb friend posted a picture of her newborn in the car seat in the front of the cart. I sent her a message letting her know, politely, in the least sanctimommy way about why it was unsafe. She thanked me, but assured me that the child was never out of her sight and she felt comfortable with it. I noticed a few days later that she had deleted me. *shrug* Some people just don't listen.

Thanks for sharing this. I feel like because it is done so often, a lot of people, especially FTM's don't even realize that it's unsafe since it almost seems like its the norm.

[frecklesinside]

Jan 26, 2015 11:47:00 GMT -5 busterrose said:

There was one brand, which I can't recall, that supposedly was able to click into the carriage. I'm not sure if it did say so in the manual or not. That was during my last pregnancy three years ago but I knew with research that it was unsafe. Unfortunately many others do not. Also, since there are so many unaware people out there, new moms see others that are or have done it in the past and think it's the right thing to do.

Still not a safe practice. I'd still put it in the carriage...

[mango]

Ugh -- HATE seeing people do this. Saw it just the other day at Kroger -- infant bucket seat perched in top of the cart, being pushed thru bumpy parking lot!

[busterrose]

Jan 26, 2015 11:53:13 GMT -5 frecklesinside said:

Jan 26, 2015 11:47:00 GMT -5 busterrose said:

There was one brand, which I can't recall, that supposedly was able to click into the carriage. I'm not sure if it did say so in the manual or not. That was during my last pregnancy three years ago but I knew with research that it was unsafe. Unfortunately many others do not. Also, since there are so many unaware people out there, new moms see others that are or have done it in the past and think it's the right thing to do.

Still not a safe practice. I'd still put it in the carriage...

I completely agree. I tried telling that to my BIL's gf but that fell on deaf ears, as well as not using bulky outerwear and checking the seat expiration. Some people are unfortunately going to continue to do what's not safe because they see so many other people doing it.

[chunkymonkeylvr]

I did it with my first 10 years ago, I had no idea. I wish someone would have told me, even if it did embarrass me for a moment.

I go up to moms and dads now in the store just to let them know. I have only had one move their child after I left and I say them later, but hopefully it encouraged others to research.

I wish more stores made a deal about it when their employees saw it.

[Deleted]

What are thoughts on this? I know the seat part is a no no, but never thought about putting the carrier in this way.   I saw someone like this at the store the other day and didn't know what to think about it.

[pearsforpoops]

I wouldn't do anything with the infant seat other than place the bottom of the seat firmly in the basket of the cart.

People are assholes in stores and it's just not worth taking the chance. If you need the cart space wear the baby, take your H, leave baby home, do something other than perch and balance an infant seat. Please please please.

I will totally admit that when we first had Haden I had no idea that balancing the carrier on the top of the cart was a no-no. I fully intended to do it UNTIL the ladies of TB set me straight (luckily before I ever did). (((RIP good advice on TB.)))

I agree that in most cases it's just ignorance, and it needs to be corrected.

Edit: I also probably need to grow a pair and start saying something when I see people doing this.

[luvsponies]

As a FTM, I've seen this a lot and didn't realize it was a bad thing. My Mom, who is insanely anal and type-A even mentioned it this weekend (infant car seats are heavy but you can just put them in the cart!). I'm another one who would rather have someone tell me and be a little embarrassed than have something bad happen.

[jcar]

Jan 26, 2015 12:05:07 GMT -5 @totesmcgotes said:

What are thoughts on this? I know the seat part is a no no, but never thought about putting the carrier in this way.   I saw someone like this at the store the other day and didn't know what to think about it.

I feel like if the baby moved enough, the seat could still tip, even if into the cart.  I'd rather have it flat on the bottom of the cart.  I did that with DS and it wasn't an issue.  I could still see him and he was fine.  I don't see a need to perch the baby up in the air.

[melissat2742]

I never knew about this issue until someone else had brought it up. I also talked to my husband about it and let him know the safety issue so he doesnt do it either. Thanks for the information!

[jessuh]

I don't have the news article off hand, but even if your seat was made to click into the cart, the cart can be unsafe and the front can collapse. I'm not sure if I'm explaining that correctly, but it supposedly happened to a baby where the cart kind of collapsed in the front and not where the seat just toppled over.



and you shouldn't click your seat into things unless it is stated in the manual that they're compatible even if it clicks in easily. It can damage the mechanism that connects it to the base making it unsafe in a car accident.

[frecklesinside]

Jan 26, 2015 12:12:35 GMT -5 pearsforpoops said:

I wouldn't do anything with the infant seat other than place the bottom of the seat firmly in the basket of the cart.

People are assholes in stores and it's just not worth taking the chance. If you need the cart space wear the baby, take your H, leave baby home, do something other than perch and balance an infant seat. Please please please.

I will totally admit that when we first had Haden I had no idea that balancing the carrier on the top of the cart was a no-no. I fully intended to do it UNTIL the ladies of TB set me straight (luckily before I ever did). (((RIP good advice on TB.)))

I agree that in most cases it's just ignorance, and it needs to be corrected.

Edit: I also probably need to grow a pair and start saying something when I see people doing this.

Gurlll, look at us spreading that good advice over here already No RIP - long live the good advice!

[babys2015]

When I was reading reviews on the Keyfit 30 car seat, someone complained that the Car seat did not have the notches so that you could balance it on the shopping cart. The manufacturer rep replied. "You are never supposed to put this or any car seat on top of the shopping cart, only placed inside the cart, for safety reasons."

This was something I've been aware of, but that so many moms are not..

[pearsforpoops]

Jan 26, 2015 15:35:19 GMT -5 babys2015 said:

When I was reading reviews on the Keyfit 30 car seat, someone complained that the Car seat did not have the notches so that you could balance it on the shopping cart. The manufacturer rep replied. "You are never supposed to put this or any car seat on top of the shopping cart, only placed inside the cart, for safety reasons."

This was something I've been aware of, but that so many moms are not..

I really love that the manufacturer took the time to reply with that info!

Edit - I get that it was a CYA for them, but I still like it.

[LollyTee]

Oh man thanks for posting that article and all this information. As a FTM, I can honestly say I haven't thought about car seats and shopping carts (but obsessively research things like this when I do think of it.) This was shocking (those news stories!) and informative.

[AleWife]

Jan 26, 2015 11:52:09 GMT -5 frecklesinside said:

I also will say something to someone doing this in the store. It isn't a parenting choice, it is a serious safety issue, so I don't feel like a douche bringing it up. Honestly, it would seem most people are just uneducated about it, like too many people are uneducated about coats in car seats or where the CHEST clip goes. I can't tell you how many times top of cart seaters are multiple offenders with baby in a big snowsuit clipped in with the chest clip at the belly button...

Anyhow, I wish car seat safety was something every new parent felt the need to take the time to research. Unfortunately this isn't the case. I will again plug Car Seats for the Littles and recommend you all check out their site and FB group. They are also a better source for checking your install than the fire department. Post pictures and they'll help out.

::Bookmarked site::

[bluebell0315]

Jan 26, 2015 12:05:07 GMT -5 @totesmcgotes said:

What are thoughts on this? I know the seat part is a no no, but never thought about putting the carrier in this way.   I saw someone like this at the store the other day and didn't know what to think about it.

No way! What if you run into something? I'm forever running into stuff, and sitting the baby like that would just be bad news. Bottom of the cart it goes.

[ruemorgan]

I never knew it was not safe until you lovely ladies brought it up a few months back. Ive seen so many people I know put it on top of a shopping cart, it really isnt common knowledge and I think this should be brought up again when all our babies are here and we get some more new moms joining the boards.

As for people who do it and dont care, how fucking selfish. Sorry your child's safety is inconvenient for you. *rolls eyes*

[snarkysparklefart]

The coats/snow suits are my hill too. I will also admit not being very knowledgeable at first, but I have learned more and I almost always try to share the info with moms who may not know.

[crystaltrues]

This drives me Crazy! I see it all the time and have even seem the whole cart tip with child in carrier on top of it. So scary. Never did it with DS and I won't with this little guy either.

[mrsh924]

Being a FTM, I had never thought about this, and always thought that balancing their seats on the top of the cart was how it was done. Thank you all so much for linking the information and for suggesting the CSFL group on Facebook! It's reasons like this that I am so thankful for you ladies and your knowledge!!

[chilibeansm0m]

Thank you for posting this. Can't stand this but most people i see doing it dont look like they'd be very thrilled if i came up to them saying something. Seriously it's hard not saying something though. Sometimes my mom/sis/dh have to hold me back.

I find a lot of people just don't know Either. When we had R i had to tell dh you can't do this its not safe. He was like i see all kinds of people doing it I'm like yeah and it's not safe.

[racegurl87]

When I took my car seat safety class they mentioned specifically not to do this. It really makes me wonder if people are taking advantage of the classes the hospital here offers because I see people in town doing this all the time.

[minniesasa]

Jan 26, 2015 21:40:58 GMT -5 mrsh924 said:

Being a FTM, I had never thought about this, and always thought that balancing their seats on the top of the cart was how it was done. Thank you all so much for linking the information and for suggesting the CSFL group on Facebook! It's reasons like this that I am so thankful for you ladies and your knowledge!!

+1