When getting ready for a baby, one of the most important purchases you’ll make is a car seat. Finding the correct accessories that work best to keep your young one safe and happy is essential once you’ve chosen the car seat that fits your family’s lifestyle. The baby can be shielded from the elements and given some privacy in the car while you run errands with the help of a car seat cover. There are car seat covers specifically designed to reduce exposure to airborne pathogens. Babies feel safer and more comfortable in these covers, and many of them eliminate the need for bulky, ill-fitting winter wear. You may jazz up your baby’s safety equipment with a car seat cover, which come in a wide variety of styles and materials, from simple fleece to bold designs. These car seat coverings are likely to satisfy all of your baby’s demands, whether you’re searching for a multipurpose tool or just an extra layer of warmth.
7 Benefits Of A Car Seat Cover
1. Protection Against Sunlight
Covering your child’s car seat is a good idea when you’re driving during the middle of the day and the sun is directly overhead. While you may be able to shield your eyes from the sun with a pair of sunglasses, your infant won’t have that luxury. To protect your child’s eyes from the sun, grab a car seat cover and put it on the seat soon. Keep an eye on the thermometer, though; it could get hot and stuffy down there.
2. Cover From the Rain
Have you ever pulled up to the grocery store for a short run, only to have it start pouring as soon as you parked? Running to the shop while carrying a baby on your own is not a very good idea. The good news is that you can protect your child’s car seat from the rain, even if it’s pouring outside.
3. Warm Up in Cold Weather
Taking a child on a trip in the winter might be challenging. It’s freezing outside, and layering up can be a hassle for your toddler. The experts, however, caution that children shouldn’t wear puffy jackets while restrained in car seats. Use a baby car seat cover to keep your infant warm in the cold.
4. Keeps Bugs Away
Do you want to keep the top down and enjoy the fresh country air when you drive across the countryside? Your infant can rest easy in a mesh or lightweight car seat cover if you’re worried about insects. You may relax and enjoy your outside activities without worrying about pesky bugs now.
5. Nursing Cover
Do you wish it were easier to get nursing care whenever you needed it? You can use the cover from your car seat as a blanket when you nurse your baby. Get a cover made from a rayon blend that will serve you well in both hot and cold climates. Why not purchase a custom-made infant car seat cover in the ideal pattern, seeing as you’ll be using it a lot yourself?
6. Shopping Cart or High Chair Cover
In the event that you are hesitant to have your child ride in a shopping cart or a restaurant’s high chair without a car seat cover, you can always bring one along. The desire to use all their senses, including taste, to investigate new things is especially strong in children while they are outside. Adding a second barrier between you and potentially infectious substances is a good idea.
In addition, you may find travel high chairs that are lightweight and compact enough to bring along anyplace.
7. Better Sleep
If your infant starts becoming grumpy on a road trip or while running errands, a missed nap may be to blame. Too many stimuli can prevent a baby from falling asleep. Use a car seat cover that blocks out light and noise to ensure your child has a restful trip.
Steps on making a baby car seat cover that is easy to sew and to remove
First, choose the desired length of the infant car seat cover and add an additional inch on each ends for the seams.
Next, with right sides together, sew your cloth together, leaving enough room at the top to turn it inside out. Backstitch at the beginning and end for a neat finish.
The third step is to flip your fabric wrong sides together (the right side should be facing outward).
Fourth, topstitch all the way around very close to the edge, but remember to leave about half an inch open along one of the seams for when you place the elastic strap. Put the strap through this hole to fasten it.
Fifth, measure the circumference of your fabric’s opening and subtract 3 inches (a little less if you want a super tight fit). Make sure they aren’t too stretchy or they won’t give enough when you wrap them around the car seat handle, but also make sure they aren’t too non-stretchy or they won’t stretch at all.
Sixth, with right sides together, sew one end of each elastic to a different side of your fabric. You can sew them in a straight line and then topstitch, but I find that sewing them at an angle and then stretching the fabric while holding the thread firm (like you would when sewing the legs of a pair of pants) produces a more professional result.
Step 7: Sew the ends of the second fabric piece (the one without the elastic) to the other side in a row. Make sure you leave enough length so that you can loop it around the bar or handle you’re trying to secure.
Step 8: Sew one side of the button to each fabric piece, positioning it where you’d like it to be when the piece is wrapped around the closure. Having the buttons on top means I can see which way they are fastened and they won’t scratch me through my pockets.
Next, you can either cut a hole and thread your button through it, or sew your buttonhole to the top of the fabric using elastic. Both methods are adequate, but I find that using my buttonhole eliminates the risk of snagging myself on the pointy end.
How do you remove a car seat from under the seat?
Using your own body weight, you can get the car seat out from behind the booster seat. It’s very much like doing a push-up while holding onto the arms of a chair. Apply downward pressure with one hand on each side until it “pops out.”
Then, raise it slightly before letting go so it doesn’t fall back into place. You will have more success if someone helps keep steady pressure on the car seat as well.
The same method can be used to transfer a baby carrier or convertible car seat to a different vehicle or carrying unit without first disconnecting the base (such as strollers).
However, this should only be done if absolutely required, as removing the restraint system does not come with any additional safety features.
What car seat should a 7-year-old have?
Multiple child safety seats are in the vehicle. Your child will be most secure in a seat that is properly adjusted to his or her size and weight and with harness slots appropriate for that child’s age. Here’s where you can get Which Car Seat? guides:
It is recommended that you use an upgraded seat for children under 25-30 kg until they reach 145cm in height (about 12 years).
Group II/III alternatives, which often have higher backs and weigh more but last longer into childhood, are worth considering if your child is older or heavier. In addition, a lap belt, rather than a three-point seatbelt, is mandatory for them.
Choosing the best carseat for a seven-year old child:
A child who is seven years old should use a car seat that is appropriate for their size and weight and has harness slots appropriate for their age.
It is recommended that you use an upgraded seat for children under 25-30 kg until they reach 145cm in height (about 12 years).
Choosing the best carseat for a five-year-old child:
Group II/III alternatives, which tend to have higher backs and weigh more but last longer into childhood, should be considered for children who are older or heavier. In addition, a lap belt, rather than a three-point seatbelt, is mandatory for them.
Getting a car seat that fits your child properly is the most important thing you can do. It’s important to pick a seat that fits snugly in your car and has some extra room for development so that it can be used for a longer period of time than usual.
Best Baby Car Seat Covers
1.Cozy Cover Store Infant Seat Cover
(Best for cold weather — $$)
The elastic at the bottom of the cover may need to be adjusted to fit your particular newborn car seat. Adjusting the size again may be necessary after some time has passed. It’s fantastic because: This baby car seat cover is designed to keep your child warm and dry in inclement weather with its waterproof outside and soft fleece lining. Because the elastic at the bottom won’t get in the way of the safety straps, you won’t even have to remove the cover to get baby in and out of the car seat.
Who it’s for: Parents who live in colder locations but don’t want to fuss with changing their kids in and out of bulky winter clothing every time they take a car trip.
2.Cozy Cover Store Baby Combo Pack, Sun & Bug Cover Plus a Lightweight Summer Cozy Cover
(Best for transitional seasons — $$)
You should be aware that on particularly hot days, the cover’s interior can get quite heated due to the weather-resistant material. Keep an eye on baby’s temperature and ventilation at all times. It’s fantastic because: This two-for-one deal is ideal for warm weather and transitional periods when bugs and the sun are both out in full force. The mosquito net keeps the bugs out while still letting air circulate for baby. The sun cover’s UV-blocking fabric is also resistant to wind and rain, making it ideal for unexpected spring rains.
Parents in temperate regions who want to shield their infant from the sun and bugs may appreciate this.
3.Simka Rose Car Seat Canopy and Nursing Cover
(Most versatile — $)
Remember that the cover lets in just enough light for your baby to see, making the seat ideal for naps. However, make sure your baby is safe and secure by checking on them frequently through the top opening. It’s fantastic because: The Simka cover can be used for a variety of purposes. Fabric is soft and stretchy enough to fit over most newborn car seat models. The scarf-like design can be used to conceal a nursing mother’s identity in public. In addition, your baby gear will stand out from the crowd thanks to the gorgeous earth tones.
Beneficial for: nursing mothers in search of a convertible car seat cover.
4.LOEKEAH Baby Car Seat Covers for Newborns
(Best deal — $)
The lightweight material is ideal for the warm weather of summer. However, it does a poor job of keeping the wind and rain away from your baby. It’s fantastic because: This versatile cover can be used to protect baby car seats, high chairs, and shopping carts. With its wide opening, it can be used in a variety of configurations to protect infant from potentially hazardous settings.
That it’s for: frugal families who want to get the most for their money.
5.Skip Hop Winter Car Seat Cover
(Best for snow protection — $$)
Remember that the zipper makes it simple for guardians to regulate the flow of air to their infants. Some parents have complained that their babies may easily unzip the garment because of how smooth the zipper is. It’s fantastic because: This winterized car seat cover features a front zipper that allows you to quickly and easily adjust the fit and ventilation for your child’s comfort and protection from the weather. Easy-to-reach fasteners on the face shield of a baby car seat allow you to check on your child quickly and simply without taking off the entire cover.
Parental units in colder regions will find this useful.
6.SnoozeShade Infant Car Sear Cover
(Best for UV protection — $$)
Remember that the cover’s many flaps and features allow for multiple ways to check on baby’s safety and comfort, and that this can make using it feel like extra work at times. It’s fantastic because: This sunshield provides 99 percent protection from dangerous UV radiation for your infant’s delicate skin. The wide zippered peep window and breathable soft mesh hood make it easy to keep an eye on your child at all times.
Beneficial for families with young children in sunny climates who cannot yet use sunscreen.
7.Acrabros Stretchy Baby Car Seat Cover
(Best space saver — $$)
Remember that the snug fit of this cover may make it difficult to fully retract the car seat handle on some models. It’s fantastic because: The Acrabros baby car seat cover is a must-have item, and thanks to its compact storage pouch, it is easy to bring along wherever you go. The baby car seat cover has four snaps for a snug fit, and the zipped front makes it easy to check on the child.
Parents who are pressed for space yet wish to shield their infants from the outdoors while traveling in a car seat may benefit.
FAQs
1.What is the purpose of a car seat cover?
Seat covers for automobiles can be put to many different functions. They can help keep baby warm without the use of extra layers that might make a safety harness too tight. In addition to providing an extra barrier between the outside world and baby’s face, they can also be utilized to provide some seclusion. Covers designed for car seats often have other functions, such as protecting nursing mothers or protecting infants from the elements when used as a high chair cover.
2.What should I look for in a car seat cover?
Think about your everyday life and the weather where you live while looking for a car seat cover. Lightweight privacy covers may be just what you need in a crowded metropolis. If you live in an area where bad weather is common, a weatherproof cover with a fleece inside might be more practical. Parents who are breastfeeding may also be interested in a cover, while others may choose a product that can be used in both a grocery cart and a high chair.
3.Are car seat covers safe?
When shopping for a car seat cover, it’s important to get one that fits your specific model of seat. It is not recommended to wear a car seat cover while the car seat is in use in a moving vehicle. If you use a cover that prevents your baby’s face from being completely covered, keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t get too hot. If you anticipate putting your infant down for a nap, you should review the guidelines for using a car seat for safe sleeping. Take heed of any and all cautions and directions printed on the back of your chosen volume.
4.How do I care for my car seat cover?
Given that you will likely be using your car seat cover in less-than-sterile public settings, the fact that most car seat covers can be washed in a washing machine is a must. Before buying, make sure you understand what kind of upkeep your car seat cover will require. Wet wipes or spot cleaning can be used to quickly remedy smaller spills while on the go.
5.How long will I be able to use a car seat cover for my infant?
Most infant car seat covers are designed for use with convertible car seats. Infant car seats can be used for as long as is safe for the child within the height and weight limits set by the manufacturer. Most parents continue to use their child’s infant car seat until their child is 12 months old.
Conclusion
The purchase of a car seat cover may seem like a luxury in comparison to the other items required for the arrival of a new baby. However, infant car seat covers serve a variety of objectives, both for the protection and convenience of the child passenger. You can choose from a broad variety of fabrics and cuts to find the perfect one for you, from soft, toasty fleece to airy cotton and mesh. In addition to serving as a safety net for the car seat, many versions are versatile enough to be utilized in settings as varied as high chairs in restaurants and shopping carts at the supermarket. The baby registry should not be complete without one of these car seat covers.
