Infant Car Seat Covers - Mommababygear

Infant car seat covers are placed over the child safety seat and designed to protect your baby against the weather, germs, bugs, and other outside elements. However, they also prove useful even while you are inside the vehicle. For instance, they can keep your baby warm and promote a dark environment for sleeping.

Not all car seat covers are created equal, though. Make sure to choose one that is compatible with your car seat. It also helps if it is versatile and can be used on strollers and other equipment. More importantly, it needs to be safe, well-built, and made with breathable materials. Finally, make sure that it is also easy to install, detach, and clean for ultimate convenience.

Here are some of the best infant car seat covers to suit different needs and preferences.

The Best Infant Car Seat Covers

Several types of infant car seat cover exist. Each comes in varying styles, sizes, and uses. Some products, for instance, are specifically made for the cold winter months and use plush materials. Meanwhile, other covers are better suited for summer and feature thin fabrics. There are also universal car seat covers that can cater to a wider range of needs and situations.

1. Best Overall: 2-in-1 Car Seat Canopy and Nursing Cover Up with Peekaboo Opening by Kids N’ Such Store

This car seat cover from Kids N’ Such Store has it all – style, functionality, durability, and an excellent price point. It is thrown above the seat or carrier, shielding your baby against the weather, bugs, pathogens, and other unwanted elements. At the same time, it creates a dark, cozy environment to help usher in a sound, uninterrupted sleep. You will also love the unique Peekaboo Opening, which gives mothers ample coverage while nursing and also makes it easy for you to access your child.

2. Best Budget: Baby Car Seat Cover for Newborn Boys and Girls by Synrroe

If you are on a limited budget, this baby seat cover from Synrroe is a great choice. At about seven bucks, you will get a trendy, highly durable cover that can maintain its shape even after long-time use. It also uses a lightweight, ultra-soft fabric for maximum comfort and breathability. And, being stretchy, it is versatile and can fit a wide range of baby care products, including infant seat covers, strollers, feeding chairs, and shopping carts.

3. Best for Sun Protection: Universal Infant Car Seat Sun Cover by SnoozeShade

Babies under six months should never be exposed to direct sunlight. So, if it is extremely sunny where you live, you might want to boost your sun protection. This award-winning infant car seat cover from SnoozeShade can help you with that. It uses soft, stretchy, and air-permeable fabric to block up to ninety-nine percent of the sun’s UV rays. The peekaboo front window also shades your baby from the sun’s bright glare, which ensures that their nap times are right on schedule.

4. Best for Summer: Aden Car Seat Canopy by aden + anais

Light, breathable materials are your baby’s best friend during the hot summer months. This principle applies not only to clothes but also to other baby paraphernalia. This car seat canopy from aden + anais, for instance, is made with 100 percent cotton and employs a weightless open weave to maximize airflow. Instead of being tight-fitting, this cover is rendered in canopy-style and drapes loosely over the car seat or the stroller, keeping your baby dry and feeling fresh. Best of all, it offers enough protection from the summer heat and breezes and even helps maintain your privacy.

5. Best Waterproof: MESA Infant Car Seat Rain Shield by UPPAbaby

This infant car seat rain shield from UPPAbaby is the perfect companion during the rainy season. It uses phthalate-free PVC to keep the car seat – and your baby – dry and comfy while on the go. The side vents also encourage air circulation for supreme comfort. Another benefit is that it is easy to attach, remove, and clean, and fits most infant car seats. When not in use, you can fold it compactly for quick, effortless storage.

6. Best for Winter: Winter Car Seat Cover by Skip Hop

For safety reasons, wearing thick, bulky clothes while riding a car seat is strongly ill-advised. So, how do you keep your little one warm and snug during winter? A safer alternative is the car seat cover from Skip Hop, which uses soft fabric and ultra-plush fleece collar to swaddle your child. You can also keep the collar snaps closed for added warmth. Finally, it comes with elastic bottom edges for a secure fit on any infant car seat, as well as a zip-off front flap so you can check on your baby anytime.

7. Best Universal: Stretchy Baby Car Seat Cover by Acrabros

This stylish, highly functional car seat cover from Acrabos is made with light, stretchy, and breathable fabric. It offers maximum protection against harsh light, winds, drizzle, and snow, making it suitable for use all-year-round. The adjustable opening with zippers makes it easy to monitor your baby and take them out as needed. The back flap, on the other hand, uses stretch mesh to introduce more fresh air to your baby while screening them from pesky bugs and pesky leaves. Most importantly, this cover is easy to install and will fit most infant car seats.

Infant Car Seat Covers FAQs

Do You Really Need an Infant Car Seat Cover?

Using an infant car seat cover is by no means required by the law. Still, it can do wonders in keeping your child safe and comfortable. For example, it offers temperature control, keeping your baby sufficiently warm or cool, especially during extreme weather conditions. It also promotes a clean environment, keeping germs, bugs, and other harmful elements at bay. Finally, by blocking out bright light and muffling sound, it ensures that your little one can catch up on sleep anytime, anywhere.

Are Infant Car Seat Covers Safe?

Infant car seat covers are safe, but there are some things to keep in mind. First, make sure that the cover does not have a layer under the baby. After all, anything that goes underneath your child’s body or slips between the harness straps and the seat may pose a safety hazard. Second, the car seat cover should leave your baby’s face exposed, letting them breathe freely. Third, it should use light materials or feature mesh sides for ventilation and breathability. Finally, the front flap or the top layer should be removable so you can quickly access your baby.

Can You Use an Infant Car Seat Cover with a Stroller?

Some infant car seat covers are made with stretchy materials, allowing them to fit over various baby equipment, including a stroller. Still, you want to double-check and ensure that the cover provides a snug fit before using it. At any rate, when in doubt, go for a cover with a universal fit.

Can an Infant Car Seat Protect Babies Against Rain or Snow?

Some infant car seat covers use water-resistant materials, ensuring that your bundle of joy stays dry at all times.

Infant Car Seat Covers Keep Your Baby Out of Harm’s Way

Infant car seats are designed to keep your child safe and secure while riding a vehicle. Specifically, they absorb impact in the event of a crash, shielding your baby’s sensitive body and helping avoid severe injuries. But that is the extent of its protective prowess. For daily inconveniences like extreme weather conditions, bugs, and germs, an infant car seat cover is what you need. Any cover won’t do, though. For best results, make sure that it is safe, well-built, and offers a snug fit for your infant car seat.