Shopping carts are dangerous for children
The child seat in a grocery store cart is perfect for your eggs and bread, but is it safe for your baby? No.
According to the AAP, shopping cart accidents injure thousands of children in the US every year. The most common injuries are cuts and bruises, but fractures to the child’s head and neck also occur. In fact, a fall onto the hard floor of a store is potentially fatal.
Experts recommend parents avoid using shopping cart seats altogether. Instead — if you must take your baby shopping with you — consider keeping her in a front carrier or backpack. These devices will let your hands remain free to push the cart and shop. Some stores may permit you to use your baby’s own stroller. You can stow groceries in the compartment under the seat until you get to the checkout line.
If these alternatives aren’t an option and you must use the shopping cart baby seat, then be careful. Make sure baby is properly positioned and secured with straps. Never leave the baby unattended in the cart seat. If possible, shop with another adult who can stay beside the cart to guard against accidents. Don’t let your older kids push the cart while you shop — a bigger kid could lean on the handle and tip the cart and the baby.
The US has no safety standards for shopping carts, so the responsibility lies with you. Use caution, and keep your baby safe.
Read more — Grocery store shopping carts: Safe for kids?