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Best Baby Car Seat Covers & Blankets Reviewed in 2024

last updated Nov 06, 2019

Car seat covers serve a variety of purposes. When it’s cold out, blankets and covers can help to keep your baby warm. Additionally, it can assist in naptime by dulling the distractions available to baby’s wandering senses. Lastly, a light cover can help shield baby from the sun on especially bright days. If you’re looking for the right car seat cover, we can help. We’ve collected ten of the market’s best below for you to peruse. Enjoy!

In a Hurry? The test winner after 25 hrs of research

icon
Cool Beans Baby Soft and Stretchy
88.3/100 our score
Brand
95
Materials
91
Comfort
85
Style
82
Cool Beans Baby Soft and Stretchy
Why is it better?

The striped pattern comes in a number of colors

Can be used as a nursing cover or car seat cover

Protects baby from weather, bugs, dust and more

Simply the softest

In a Hurry? Editors choice:
Cool Beans Baby Soft and Stretchy
Test Winner: Cool Beans Baby Soft and Stretchy
Amazon Link
Researched Sources
22
Researched Sources
Hours Researching
25
Hours Researching
Products Evaluated
13
Products Evaluated
Last Updated:
By Angeline Mirenda:

Sometimes lights out is easier said than done! Baby Car Seat Covers make it easy to create a soothing environment for your little one to catch some Z’s. We’ve concentrated on refurbishing some of our products’ short summaries and Brand analysis during this update cycle. Enjoy!

Sorting Options
Brand Materials Comfort Style By Default
Rank
PictureProduct
Name
Rating
Shops
#1
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
88.3
Brand
95 %
Materials
91 %
Comfort
85 %
Style
82 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (18.03.24)
Amazon Link
$18.75
#2
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
87.5
Brand
95 %
Materials
90 %
Comfort
85 %
Style
80 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (18.03.24)
Amazon Link
#3
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
87.5
Brand
95 %
Materials
90 %
Comfort
85 %
Style
80 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (18.03.24)
Amazon Link
#4
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
87
Brand
88 %
Materials
90 %
Comfort
85 %
Style
85 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (18.03.24)
Amazon Link
$23.99
#5
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
84.3
Brand
90 %
Materials
85 %
Comfort
84 %
Style
78 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (18.03.24)
Amazon Link
$44.99
#6
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
83.3
Brand
90 %
Materials
85 %
Comfort
82 %
Style
76 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (18.03.24)
Amazon Link
#7
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
82.5
Brand
90 %
Materials
85 %
Comfort
80 %
Style
75 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (18.03.24)
Amazon Link
#8
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
82.5
Brand
90 %
Materials
85 %
Comfort
80 %
Style
75 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (18.03.24)
Amazon Link
$16.99
#9
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
81.8
Brand
88 %
Materials
84 %
Comfort
80 %
Style
75 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (18.03.24)
Amazon Link
#10
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
81.5
Brand
89 %
Materials
82 %
Comfort
80 %
Style
75 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (18.03.24)
Amazon Link

10 Best Baby Car Seat Covers & Blankets Reviewed

1. Cool Beans Baby Soft and Stretchy

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
88.3
Cool Beans Baby Soft and Stretchy car seat cover
Cool Beans Baby Soft and Stretchy breathable
Cool Beans Baby Soft and Stretchy as nursing cover
Amazon Link
Brand
95
Materials
91
Comfort
85
Style
82
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$18.75

The striped pattern comes in a number of colors

Can be used as a nursing cover or car seat cover

Protects baby from weather, bugs, dust and more

Simply the softest

Some moms say their baby gets too warm under this cover

The Cool Beans Stretchy Car Canopy is a shady little getaway for sleepy sweet peas. This canopy is perfect for nursing and for car rides! It’s stretchy, comfy, and protects baby from harsh elements outside such as dust and sunlight. Plus, it provides a serene little corner where kids can doze off while you drive. It comes in seven darling patterns and includes a storage pouch.

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Brand

With this colorfully striped car seat canopy, you can’t go wrong on softness or ease of use. You are a busy mom, and Cool Beans has made a cover that is useful in many environments, so you don’t have to drag all kinds of blankets around with you. The rayon and spandex mix makes this cover practical since it will be very soft and stretchy.

Materials

It’s made of a naturally blended fabric, and the family-owned Cool Beans company searches for the best. The carefully made cute cover is protective of the baby. It protects from the sun, wind, bugs, and dust.

Comfort

Stretch it around you for nursing or around the car seat or another vehicle for baby’s protection from the elements. It’s easy peasy. Baby will be protected and you get a few moments to take a break. There is a hole in the top of the canopy so you can easily check on your baby. This canopy comes with a free beanie hat and carrying bag for your convenience and your baby’s cuteness.

Style

It’s machine washable and you should dry it on low heat. So easy. The canopy is also easy to use because you just stretch it, put it on, and go! Better than sliced bread. Moms are so busy and stressed that it’s great to have a baby product that can cover more than one function.

2. Kids N' Such Arrow Pattern

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
87.5
Kids N' Such Arrow Pattern
Kids N' Such Arrow Pattern multi-use
Amazon Link
Brand
95
Materials
90
Comfort
85
Style
80
best offer for today
Amazon Link

Put opening where you want it to see your baby.

Cute gray arrow pattern

Soft, breathable fabric that can shade your child from the sun.

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

Fabric seems thin and not very durable.

The multi-use car seat covers are so popular now, and this one with the cute arrow design is very popular with customers. Kids n Such is family owned and based in Dallas, TX, and they feel that their customers are part of their family. They have no robots in their facility because everything they do is done by people. They wrap their own packages and ship them after the order is placed. Moms are loving these canopies

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Brand

Kids N’ Such is a company meant for both mom and baby. They produce a wide array of baby necessities, from swaddles to sheets to diaper bags.

Materials

The fabric is soft and stretchy. It covers well when mom is nursing, and on the infant carrier, it protects the baby from sun, wind, bugs, and interested strangers who may peek when peeking is not wanted.

Comfort

This cover is lightweight and breathable. This one is best for warmer weather. The opening at the top gives you access to your baby when you need it. The cover is light and is easy to fold when storing it a diaper bag.

Style

You name it, this canopy has you covered. Go out with your family with no worries about your child being harassed by strangers, being bug bitten, getting too hot from the sun, or breathing in a ton of pollutants. And you can always look in on your child from the top hole. And it’s moveable so that you can move that top hole down so that you can see the baby from the front

3. Kids N' Such 2 in 1 Peekaboo

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
87.5
Kids N' Such 2 in 1 Peekaboo car seat cover
Kids N' Such 2 in 1 Peekaboo
Amazon Link
Brand
95
Materials
90
Comfort
85
Style
80
best offer for today
Amazon Link

Great customer service and 100% Guarantee

Snaps down the front to provide peek-a-boo opening

Minky dot fabric on the back side for softness.

Attaches to carrier handle to keep it in place

This cover may be too small for Grayco carries as it doesn’t drape all the way and leaves openings in the sides.

The Peekaboo is the perfect size for most baby car seats. Moms love it for shading their baby from the sun. It’s better than a blanket because it doesn’t fall off. When in use, snap it closed to protect your baby. When in place, the carrier handle remains exposed so that you can carry the car seat safely.

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Brand

Kids N’ Such is responsible for high-quality classics. Some of their products are even multi-functional, such as this combination car seat canopy and nursing cover.

Materials

Nap time. There are two layers of fabric, so the canopy is more protective than most covers. You will love that this canopy can double as a nursing cover when you have to feed your baby before arriving home.

Comfort

This car seat cover is so easy. Just attach the straps on the handle and drape. Then snap the snaps if you want your baby covered. Quick and easy. The minky side is super soft, but even so, when the cover is attached, it doesn’t touch the baby.

Style

It does keep the heat inside of the canopy so the baby stays warm. Moms will find that their baby is protected and they probably save some time because this is so easy to use. It’s simple to get baby out of the carrier

4. Acelitor Stretchy Canopy

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
87
Acelitor Stretchy Canopy car seat cover
Acelitor Stretchy Canopy use
Acelitor Stretchy Canopy multi-use
Amazon Link
Brand
88
Materials
90
Comfort
85
Style
85
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$23.99

Soft

Stretchy

Easy to use

Folds up easily for travel

Cute design

The car seat handle has to stay in up position when the canopy is in place

Acelitor’s Stretchy Baby Car Seat Cover is one of the most stylish canopies on the market! A large zippered opening lets parents peep inside and check on their snoozing babies. It also helps to keep air moving and give Baby some light. If you’re just worried about bugs, you can even switch over to the mesh part of the canopy to allow more light and air inside while still protecting your tot against nasty insects.

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Brand

Acelitor has quite a few canopies available, all in different but largely elegant patterns. They sell some home goods too, but if you’re focused on a car seat cover, give their other products a browse!

Materials

This cover is stretchy and soft with a lush mink-like lining on the inside. Several zippers and snaps allow for various kinds of closure while your little one enjoys your family adventures.

Comfort

The design of this canopy doesn’t hug too close to your child. This means it won’t trap quite as much heat, so consider the seasons for which it’s appropriate. Otherwise, it’s soft, it stretches, it folds into a little bag, and it features a mesh lining for when it’s beautiful outside, minus the bugs.

Style

With a pink background and little white arrows, it’s cute without being too loud or unable to match any of your other accessories or baby outfits. A stretch pocket on the top even stores the mesh lining.

5. JJ Cole Original Bundleme

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
84.3
JJ Cole Original Bundleme car seat cover
JJ Cole Original Bundleme soft car seat cover
Amazon Link
Brand
90
Materials
85
Comfort
84
Style
78
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$44.99

100% polyester--Machine washable

Two sizes: Infant and Toddler

Crash tested -- FMVSS--213

For use in cold weather climates

Colors may vary

Not waterproof

The JJ Cole Bundleme is reminiscent of a cute little cocoon for your baby. This cozy setup is different than a lot of its contemporaries. Whereas most car seat covers are canopies or blankets that stretch over the entire unit, the Bundleme really only wraps around Baby. The removable back panel lets your little one sit right up against the car seat while still draping warm, dreamy shearling material overhead.

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Brand

It fits into the car seat and the harness straps come through the slots in the back. There are five slits so that you can fit the cover into different car seat brands. The Bundleme does lay behind the baby, so you have to make sure the harness is tight enough.

Materials

Your baby will sleep well in this warm blanket-like bundler. This is like a bag you can zip around your child and it holds the warmth in to keep the baby safe from the elements. The great thing about a zip around the bag is that you don’t need blankets and you won’t be straightening them all of the time when your child kicks them. And some babies kick a lot, so this could save you precious time.
Comfort

Some parents only use this when walking with the baby or shopping, but not in the car. This is a great winter weather car seat cover with soft, sherpa-like fabric inside. It’s so soft and comfy that you will want to sleep in it too.

Style

You can use this with carriers, baby strollers, and joggers, so there is no need to remove your precious bundle from the bundle bag when transferring from one to another. Installation is fast and easy. Just lay the Bundleme in the carrier and pull the straps through. In bad weather, pull the flap over baby’s head until you get inside, then pull it down. The zipper keeps the bottom of the carrier bag closed

6. JJ Cole Weather Resistant

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
83.3
JJ Cole Weather Resistant car seat cover
JJ Cole Weather Resistant blanket-like car seat cover
JJ Cole Weather Resistant car seat cover zipper
Amazon Link
Brand
90
Materials
85
Comfort
82
Style
76
best offer for today
Amazon Link

Outer fabric is water resistant

Fits over the top of the car seat with an elastic band all the way around

Front zipper allows access to baby

Ease of use. Just stretch the cover over the car seat and go.

Fits most infant car seats.

No clasp to hold the top down in inclement weather.

This nice looking infant car seat can fit most infant carriers like a glove. Just stretch it around the carrier and the rim of elastic holds it tight. You get access to your baby by unzipping around the bottom and pulling down the flap that is over the head. This is a warm and snuggly car seat with soft fleece lining. This cover works on many strollers as well, so you can take your child for a walk. This is an easy and quick way to keep your baby warm and out of the wind as you move home to the vehicle and leave to go on an adventure together

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Brand

JJ Cole’s message is to provide parents with products that combine utility with convenience while still embracing style. Their products tend to be carefully crafted with innovative designs and chic, elegant styling.

Materials

Then put the cover over the top. The outer fabric is polyester, so much of the time, rain doesn’t soak in. It just rolls off. That is a nice feature. If needed for the cold, you can add a light blanket underneath, but it usually isn’t needed.

Comfort

The flap is nice to pull down to give the child fresh air or pull up to keep him warm. There is no back to this infant car seat cover, so baby can go in first and be secured.

Style

The simplicity of this design is amazing, and as such, you will not have to struggle to move your baby around as you go through your day. You can go on walking trips, too, as you will find it goes on most strollers. You will get exercise, and your baby will be comfortable.

7. Matimati 5-in-1 Ultra Soft

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
82.5
Matimati 5-in-1 Ultra Soft car seat cover
Matimati 5-in-1 Ultra Soft car seat cover multi-use
Amazon Link
Brand
90
Materials
85
Comfort
80
Style
75
best offer for today
Amazon Link

Great customer service

Useful and fun gift for a baby shower

Very stretchy material that covers completely

Multiple use car seat cover

Machine washable

The stretchy material makes it a tight fit for nursing in some instances

You are rushing around trying to get things done and be ready to run some errands. You have everything gathered: bottle--check, car seat--check, cute baby--check, car seat cover….You can’t find the car seat cover. Oops. So it’s time to get a car seat cover. You want one that’s easy to use, can be used as a blanket, stroller cover, and nursing cover as well. This is your lucky day because you have found a five in one car seat cover that is soft, stretchy, and beautiful

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Brand

MatiMati Baby, though certainly a purveyor of fine car seat covers, is actually most popular for their bandanas and drool bibs.

Materials

Your new car seat canopy is so soft and comfy, and your baby sleeps so well that you may not want to ever disturb her. Just let her sleep while you get chores done around your house. Then, in a flash, you are off to the races running errands. Just wrap the cover around your car seat and go.

Comfort

Busy moms get fast, easy freedom with this car seat cover when they take their babies out of the house and into stores and shopping malls where life can be a little brutal sometimes. Your child is safely kept in the realm of his car seat away from prying eyes.

Style

The canopy will keep the wind, dirt, and debris floating in the air off of the baby. When you go inside a store, you won’t have people touching your child. Your baby has some privacy. If you have to nurse your baby, you will be completely covered so you won’t be intruded upon. With this pretty canopy, you get privacy, freedom from germy air and hands, and time saved.

8. AMAZLINEN Stretchy Elephant

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
82.5
AMAZLINEN Stretchy Elephant car seat cover
AMAZLINEN Stretchy Elephant multi-use car seat cover
AMAZLINEN Stretchy Elephant car seat cover use
Amazon Link
Brand
90
Materials
85
Comfort
80
Style
75
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$16.99

Wind resistant but breathable fabric

Quick and easy installation

Makes a great shower gift

The pouch is a space saver and holds pacifiers or other small items.

Not for the coldest of climates, but works well with a light blanket.

The joys of motherhood include easy to use baby items such as this lovely zigzag striped car seat cover. It’s stretchy and soft for baby’s comfort. You will find that this canopy has two zippers for your convenience when peeking in on your baby, a handy pouch to fold the canopy into when you are done with it.

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Brand

Amazlinen only has a few products available to browse but of their small selection, 70% of the stock is car seat covers and ⅗ of those products have several hundred reviews, all with high performance ratings.

Materials

Rather than hassling with an arduous task of getting the canopy on and taking it off, you can be spending your time doing the fun things with your family because you can just unzip the flap and get your babe in and out of the car seat. This canopy is a bit heavier than the wrap around styles, and fits with elastic and snaps to keep it in place. You also get better shading from the sun for the baby because the material is a little thicker. You will be pleased with this canopy because even though the fabric is breathable, it’s still wind resistant.

Comfort

This canopy is truly useful and has many great features. The style is conservative. It fits around most car seats and the flap over the baby can be zipped up or opened for temperature adjustment, cleanliness, or air flow. Moms love this as shown by the reviews.

Style

The way the cover fits on most carriers is nice because babies can’t kick it off. Overall, this is a parent-pleasing cover for the car seat. It might be a bit light for cold winters, but adding a blanket inside on baby’s feet seems to be a good workaround.

9. Jomolly Unisex Large Lightweight

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
81.8
Jomolly Unisex Large Lightweight car seat cover
Jomolly Unisex Large Lightweight cotton car seat cover
Jomolly Unisex Large Lightweight car seat cover design
Amazon Link
Brand
88
Materials
84
Comfort
80
Style
75
best offer for today
Amazon Link

Lightweight

Machine washable

Adorable pattern

Breathable

Comes with its own carrying bag

Doesn’t do anything in the way of keeping warmth in

This unisex cotton canopy attaches easily to the bar at the top of most car seats and hangs down comfortably around your little one. It protects them from wind, sun, and bugs, while also giving them a little safe haven in which they might nap. This muslin cover comes in a cute pattern with grey stars against a white background. It’s extra large and lightweight.

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Brand

Jomolly’s got car seat canopies, it’s got nursing covers, it’s got bibs, sheets, and pacifier clips. Their products come in sweet designs, usually styled in pastels with simple, clean patterns.

Materials

It’s lightweight so they won’t feel like there’s something heavy hanging over them, and also breathable so fresh air is still able to penetrate.

Comfort

If you’re looking for something that is better in warmer weather, the Jomolly muslin cover is a fine choice. This lightweight, breathable fabric is loosely fitted over baby’s seat to block out sunlight, bugs, and other elements. It’s breezy, features a universal fit, and can help baby sleep by blocking out the distractions of the outside world.

Style

There’s really nothing about this blanket that we don’t like, but its ability to keep a variety of elements off of your baby is something we love. It’s a great summertime car seat cover when it’s breezy but warm and your baby is in need of fresh air and protection

10. Cozy Cover

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
81.5
Cozy car seat cover
Cozy car seat cover multi-use
Amazon Link
Brand
89
Materials
82
Comfort
80
Style
75
best offer for today
Amazon Link

Machine washable

Protects baby from weather elements like wind, rain, dust, and dirt.

The backless design is recommended safe by experts.

Easily move baby from home to car to stroller

The cover is a bit small for some car seats and babies can kick it off.

Cold, wet, snowy weather is almost nobody’s favorite outdoor environment, but we bet your baby won’t mind it one bit if he’s cozied up in this made for bad weather car seat cover. Baby can be warm inside without the winter bulk. The front zips down so that you can get the baby in or out. Once in, zip up the zippers.

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Brand

CozyCovers specializes in car seat covers--and that’s truly about it. They have a few other baby-safe items for the house, but truly where they shine is their cozy covers!
Materials

The Cozy Cover is a wonderful way to protect your little one from the elements. This car seat cover has been specifically designed not to interfere with the harness or straps that secure the infant car seat to your vehicle. A zip front allows you to easily buckle up baby or extract them, and even when fully closed, you can see their precious little pumpkin heads peeping out so you can check on them with a quick rearview mirror glance.

Comfort

Bundling baby up in winter clothes is a hassle and can be uncomfortable for your baby, but the Cozy Cover just snaps onto the infant carrier like a shower cap on your head

Style

Moms are loving this car seat cover because it keeps their babies warm without burdensome winter clothing. And it is backless in design, a safe choice that won’t interfere with the car seat buckles.

Criteria Used for Evaluation

Brand

We have investigated hundreds of products looking for what is the most convenient, affordable and safe items for you and your family. Ultimately, the final choice is yours. We balance between giving you the most variety of styles to choose from and giving you the best information that’s out there.

Materials

The covers stretch over the top of the car sear and seem to be the most secure choice that parent’s make-–protecting all surroundings of your baby while you’re out. In cold weather climates, the bag style of covering might work a bit better for you and your baby. Of course, there’s conflicting information out there about this so we can’t exactly make that decision for you.

Comfort

We have read many, many customer reviews for each item on our list and always update our list making sure that we always have the highest-rated and best products on the market. Of course, people write reviews based on the heat of the moment and what they are feeling at that time to fit their circumstances, but we choose our products whether or not the product worked for them.

Style

In many industries, customer service is a thing of the past, so when people say that a company has great customer service, we listen and take that into consideration. We try to find a wide range and variety of products from different manufacturers with solid reputations. We check their websites to see how much information they release to customers

Most Important Criteria (According to our experts opinion)
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Parents, Did You Know?

Car seat covers are safe otherwise no one would buy them! They keep babies warm and protect them from flying debris, bugs, and they even provide privacy when it’s time for your little one to nap while you’re out shopping.

Parents, Did You Know?

We check for a customer service number, product reviews and of course, company history. We try to choose well-established companies, and sometimes like to support newer companies, especially if we think they’ll have a more fresh, current idea.

Other Factors to Consider

Educational Value

Babies like to feel wrapped and enclosed in a safe, warm place, similar to their mother's womb. One best practice is to keep baby close to mom some of the time. This can be done by carrying the baby with you in a sling. It is said that the mom-baby bond becomes stronger through doing this.

Another good practice is to allow the baby to be on the floor when at an appropriate age. This way, as the baby grows she can move her arms and legs freely, building up the muscles that will eventually support her as she learns to roll, crawl, and walk. It also helps the spine to develop properly. Kids who are always kept in their car seat or other seats/stabilizers like a bouncer, swing, or even a nursing pillow, may not grow or develop correctly. That’s not to say spending a little time in these seats is bad. Babies need to experience varied positions for their spine to grow properly.

Protection

We know that we need car seats to protect our babies. It’s the smart thing to do, and in most places, it’s the law. We must use them. But allowing our babies to always nap in those seats is detrimental to the growth of your baby’s spine and muscles. Babies who are in the carriers for too long get stressed, their airways may be compromised, and their bones and muscles may not grow properly. They need changes in position and the exercise that comes from playing on the floor so they can move and walk properly when they get older.

Sometimes, it’s nice that a baby can sleep in the car seat, and if they are in a moving vehicle, it’s a must. Choose a car seat cover that can shade the baby and give her a comfortable space to be sleepy. But realize that the cover may be too heavy so that it restricts air flow. That is not what we want. The best practice is to not cover the baby’s face.

Effectiveness

Do's

Check on your baby often to make sure her head is in the right position and she is breathing.
Take the baby out of the car seat every hour or two so he doesn’t tip his head forward and compromise his airway.
Make sure the car seat harness is tight and not interfered with by the car seat cover.
Read the directions for your car seat to see what the manufacturer allows.
Make sure the car seat cover is properly installed.

Don’ts

Never leave a baby unattended in a totally covered car seat, especially if the canopy fabric is heavier. You have to make sure they can breathe and they are not too hot.
Don’t leave your baby in the car seat too long or allow him to nap for extended periods as they may get choked by the harness or not be able to keep their head straight.
Never let your baby sleep in the car seat carrier overnight.

Safety

There’s a difference between blankets and close-fitting car seat covers. Infant covers that are fitted around the car seat tend to be a little bit safer as baby can neither kick them off nor get tangled in them or cover their little mouth with them. Loose-fitting blankets and drapes are wonderful for summer weather, but we recommend using those when you are out and about with baby and have their seat hooked into a stroller, or within easy reach for you, just in case they manage to get tangled up. (Think about the advice that applies to babies sleeping with blankets. Apply similar concepts to them in the car; if there’s an immediate danger of suffocation or entanglement, you can’t always pull the car over right away to properly respond.) The fitted covers (sometimes called ‘boots’) can be used while the vehicle is in motion if, and only if, there is a visible hole for you to see baby’s face, the cover does not wrap between baby’s body and the seat, and the design allows for you to easily secure the seat in your car with no obstruction. If your car seat cannot click safely into place during installation, the cover should not be utilized while the vehicle is in motion. If you’re looking for a car seat cover that will help keep baby cuddly but won’t require you to slip it off and on consistently, consider the Cozy Cover (#9 on our list) which is made to be usable both in and out of the car.

If you’re wondering what the fuss is about when it comes to covers being used in-vehicle, many families live in colder climates and want to keep their babies toasty through the winter while the car heats up. Children should not be strapped into their seats wearing winter coats, however, as most winter jackets contain puffy materials and air. Even when strapped tightly into their seat, these coats cause some slack in the harness and could result in serious injury during a collision, as baby is not truly, securely buckled into place. Average winter coats leave roughly four inches of slack. Consider wearing pants that are four inches too big in the waist--that’s enough slack to do damage should a crash occur. As a result, parents may opt to try to find a compatible (and safe!) car seat cover that will help trap heat and keep baby warm while the car’s climate system adjusts and brings the temperature to a more reasonable level. Always check to make sure that your baby’s car seat is securely installed first, and then also double-check their harness or straps. If both of those have clicked securely into place and the car seat cover isn’t obstructing either, you may have found yourself a winner for the winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

q: How can I use my stretchy car seat cover in other ways?

a:

With some, there are infinite possibilities. Most have a hole in the top so you can check the baby and access the carrier handle. You can use these as a high chair cover to catch flying food, as a stroller cover to protect the baby from the weather and prying eyes, as a cover in a shopping cart to keep germs off the baby, or drape loosely over the baby so that you can nurse him with some privacy.

You can even use it to change the baby in an inopportune spot. You can also use these canopies as clothing for yourself: a scarf, a skirt, a blouse, a belt, a head scarf to wear in lousy weather, or anything else you can dream up.

q: How do I wash my baby’s car seat cover?

a:

Your best practice is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Many are machine washable and dry on low heat or air dry.

q: Can face flaps be left in the down position safely?

a:

That would depend upon your car seat size and how far away the cover is from the baby. Also is the airflow good in your particular car seat cover? The face flap should not be left down for an extended period of time nor while the baby is unattended.

q: Will a baby car seat cover void my car seat warranty?

a:

You will have to check the labels on your car seat and the cover. Some manufacturers will void the warranty if you add any accessories to the car seat.

q: I live in a place where the winters are harsh and the summers tend to be hot. Should I buy one car seat cover for each season?

a:

You should probably make your decision based on the current weather conditions and over the next few months. Many car seat covers can be used year-round. Your baby may grow like a weed over the next months, so you may end up wanting to change the style from fitted to wrapped or vice versa.

q: I’m getting a cover with a full flap in the front so I can make sure my baby has air. Are zippers or snaps the best closure?

a:

Zippered covers seem to have fewer complaints than those that snap. On some covers, the snaps sometimes break.

Sources

  1. Emily Bartlett, Infant Car Seat Safety: What’s Best For Your Baby?, Online Article
  2. Fleta N. Bray, MD, Keyvan Nouri, MD, and colleagues, Sun Safe Babies, Informative Article
  3. Anne Marie McNeill, MD, PhD, and Erin Wesner, Sun Protection and Vitamin D, Online Article
  4. Heather Corley , Napping in the Car Seat Could Be Deadly for a Baby, Informative article
  5. Physical Therapist's Guide to Container Baby Syndrome , Physical Therapist's Guide to Container Baby Syndrome , Informative Online Article