Best Infant Car Seats for Parents with Back and Shoulder Pain
You are probably looking for the absolute BEST thing you can provide for your baby. But I would like to encourage you to think about what will most make YOUR life easier and how you will use the items (not just your baby!) Most parents don’t realize the back and shoulder pain that can result from hefting around a big car seat, until they’re suddenly doing it every day!
Here are some items that will hopefully lighten your load as a new parent, especially your back and shoulders, especially with all that bending, lifting, and carrying!
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A few things to consider when buying a car seat:
How much will you actually use this thing? This will largely depend on where you live and how much you drive. Car seats can be one of the more spendy items (although not always).
For any car seat that you are considering buying look at the listed weight of the item. Know that you will be carrying that weight + weight of baby. I strongly encourage you to get the lightest car seat you can manage.
Don’t assume that a more expensive seat is a safer seat - this is not necessarily so. All infant car seats sold in the US must comply with the same safety requirements.
Important safety note: I am in the US, and this is a list of seats that fulfill regulations for the US. Your country may have different regulations - please follow the car seat safety guidelines for your country.
Top 4 infant car seats that won’t break your back!
This seat is one of the lightest on the market at 7.2 pounds AND is one of the more budget-friendly seats out there!
The seat you choose might be influenced by the size of your car. I have a small car, and I didn’t realize the next-level contortions it would take to transfer my baby in and out of the seat, buckle, unbuckle, re-buckle because I had the straps twisted, etc. etc. All that climbing and twisting can result in a sore back.
Finally, we have car seats that swivel, so you don’t have to do that awkward twist thing!
- REVV Rotating Convertible Car Seat
- Price: $650.00
Nuna REVV Rotating Convertible Car Seat
Hoping this indicates a trend in more products that will be friendly to parents’ backs!
- Infant Car Seat & Stroller + Base
- Price: $550.00
Doona Stroller Infant Car Seat with Base
You will spend way less time carrying a seat if you’ve got wheels!
Though with other seats, a simple frame stroller will do the job, this one has no additional stroller needed - just pop up the wheels and go! This is a great one for city dwellers who might be using a ride share or switching the seat frequently between different caregivers’ cars, people on the go for different outings, and parents who like to travel!
Pro tip: you do not have to carry the baby in a car seat outside of the car, although I’ve noticed this is something Americans tend to do, I think more than in other cultures. But you can also keep a baby carrier or wrap in the car, ready to transfer baby into.
safety resources
Note: I am not a safety expert, I am a posture and movement expert. Please refer to all your local guidelines for car seat safety!
You can also check out:
https://www.safekids.org/car-seat
remember…
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the options out there when shopping for your baby. Exhale, let your shoulders drop, take a break and come back later if you need to.
Remember: the absolute most important thing you provide for your baby is YOU. And that’s more important than anything you can buy.