When Can I Retire the Baby Carrier?

Question

My son is five months old and since he's tall and big for his age, it's getting harder to carry him in his carrier when I go shopping. He can sit up pretty well supported, so I'm sure we can start putting him in a normal car seat soon. However, I'm not sure if he would be able to sit up well in the front seat of a shopping cart. Just wondering at what age can they do this? Thanks

By the way, I'm not asking when my son can use a forward facing car seat. I know that's when he's 1 year old. We have a normal car seat that can face backwards like most can.

Answer 1

The age differs for different kids. The only way to know if your son will be able to sit up int he cart is to try. What we did for our son was to bring along a blanket that was big enough to create a "harness" of sorts in the seat around his waist so that he was held upright with that and the seat belt. They learn to hold on to the bar quickly and get the idea of sitting up there. If that doesn't work, most stores these days have carts with carrier-type seats for babies that can't sit up.

**Either way, make sure you have wipes with you to clean off yucky germs on the bar, seat, etc-- baby might decide to chew on the cart. ;)

Answer 2

It sounds like you can safely ditch the baby carrier. When it is hard to carry the baby carrier, and your son seems big it is time. They also have weight and length limits. You can put your son rear facing in a convertible car seat. These are great, because your son can also use it forward facing at a year. Babies R Us has a great shopping cart liner that has a good strap for support and keeps germs away from your baby. The regular straps on the shopping cart do not give any support. If you do that, you can relieve the pain in your arms from carrying the infant carrier.

Answer 3

My son was 20 pounds by the time he was 4 months old so I had to retire our infant carrier then. He wasn't mobile yet and still small enough to lay down in the front party of the grocery cart. I used a floppy seat (grocery cart cover) and a few blankets to cushion him and he normally slept while we shopped.

Within a month or so he was able to start sitting up a little better so we started sitting him up in the carts at about 5 months and propped blankets on either side of him so that he wouldn't slouch. He liked being able to see everything.

Answer 4

The carriers are only supposed to be used up until 20 lbs. Some may go to 25, but when it gets really uncomfortable for you is when you should stop using it. And if you son isnt yet able to sit on his own in the shopping cart, you may want to consider using one of those chest carriers (i'm drawing a blank on what they are called) but that may make it easier for you, and leave your hands free to push the cart as well.

I put my daughter in her rear facing convertable seat at 4 months old and she was totally fine.

Go with your gut though, if your back is aching now, just think of what pain it will be if you keep it up. You need to stay fit and healthy to take care of your son

Answer 5

He's getting heavier and that's not good for your back. You could use a little infant seat to put in the shopping cart seat, but you probably should retire the baby carrier. My son outgrew his quite quickly as well.

Answer 6

you should check the weight restrictions on the infant carrier, if he is too heavy you risk breaking it and having him fall down. most stores now have the shopping cart with the baby seat already attached to it. if your store does not i suggest you ask the manager to get some for customers in the same situation as yourself. i hope this helps.

Answer 7

When he can sit up well enough that he does it anytime he's awake HE will retire the carrier for you! In a few months you won't hardly be be able to get him to lay down. Babies have a way of demonstrating what they can do when they are darn good and ready. Relax a little, Mom.

Answer 8

There is no set age, it all depend on the child, if he/she can hold them self up I would think it's time to take them out of the carrier, just make sure he/she will be safe, and make sure you are not worried, cause if you are worried about something going wrong than it's still a little too soon.
It's called Mother's inter-wishing or something like that.

Answer 9

All babies mature differently but if he is setting up well they make a pad of sorts to fit on shopping cart handles to prevent him from hurting himself on the handle...also some stores have carts with baby seats attached to them

Answer 10

I particularly have 2 boys. the toddler businesses have been given to needy toddlers while their ft have been stunning excessive. I maximum defiantly have been given rid of them way previously 17 months. as quickly as they'd crawl i became extra suitable than happy to be rid of the businesses. much less of a situation for me and bye bye back soreness! yet I see what you're saying with regard to the price of it and not desirous to enable bypass. I washed the glass formulation bottles from the scientific institution and stored those, and my oldest is 5. i basically won't be able to do away with them! might you experience extra perfect in case you will desire to sell the provider tdeservingeing mom?