Car Seat Cover Vs Blanket

Car seat covers are the perfect way to keep babies warm in their infant car seats. They also protect the fabric and buckles from rain and snow, as well as keep sun and wind off babies’ faces. Some parents may be tempted to use blankets instead of car seat covers but it’s important to understand that car seat covers are more safe, especially for young babies who can overheat quickly. A cover is designed to fit over the baby’s car seat and protect it from rain, snow, and wind while allowing air flow through the vehicle’s vents, and most importantly, doesn’t interfere with the car seat’s crash dynamics or safety features.

Some covers are universal, sized to fit most carseats, and are typically made of water repellent fabrics. These covers are easy to vacuum or hand wash. They’re also lightweight and durable, so they will stand up to the elements and frequent use. Other covers are designed to be a custom fit for the car seat, and have a more snug fit. These covers are generally more expensive, but they are more durable and offer better value in the long run because they will last longer.

One of the most popular infant car seat covers on the market is the Skip Hop cover, which has an adjustable hood, elastic edges that hug the seat, and dual zippers for easy access to baby. Many parents swear by it, and it looks super cute, too! However, this cover is not intended to be used alone and should always be paired with a warm-weather infant car seat liner.

When blankets are used in place of car seat covers, they can create a greenhouse effect and limit airflow to dangerously high temperatures. This is a serious suffocation risk for young children. In addition, wearing a coat or heavy blanket over the harness can cause the belts to slip off the child’s body and become unbuckled.

A blanket can also be kicked off by a wriggling toddler or can easily fall off of the seated child as they exit their car seat. A tuckable blanket is safer than an over-sized blanket because it stays in place and can’t be kicked off or pulled off.

If you’re looking for a tuckable blanket that can double as a car seat cover, we recommend the BlueberryShop 2-in-1 Blanket. It’s a soft, breathable cotton fabric that comes in lots of beautiful designs and colours. The blanket has holes for the harness and can be zipped up to turn it into a liner for warmer weather.

For colder climates, the 7AM Enfant Cocoon is a shower cap style car seat cover that fits over the infant car seat without interfering with the seat’s straps or safety harness. This is a good option for parents who are using their car seats in taxis and Ubers as it doesn’t block the seatbelt path. Another option is the Road Coat snowsuit (shop family-owned / shop Amazon) for those who frequently use their infant car seat in taxis or Ubers and want to be prepared for inclement weather.