Infant Car Seat Cover - Is it worth it?

Good thing it's not snowing anymore here. Ah, winter is always challenging for families with infants or young babies to go outside. You have to pack a lot of gears with you and have to make sure that the baby is cozy and well-protected against the cold. One of the better accessories to have especially for parents who live in colder climates are extra car seat cover. There's a variety of car seat covers around and some are specifically suited for the winter season to provide additional comfort. A lot of car seat manufacturers offers covers that fits exactly their car seat product lines. Some independent companies offers designer seat covers for comfort and fashion and will list which car seat brand they support.

Is it really worth it to buy infant car seat cover? The most popular reason (it seems) for buying a car seat cover is the variety of "hip" designs and quality fabrics that are offered. If you're the type who likes to make a fashion statement or would like to match your baby's wardrobe with the rest of her accessories (ie. pink seat covers to match your baby's pink dress) then go ahead and get one. Also, sometimes car seat models have limited color choices. So, to compensate, you can just purchase a seat cover to the color of your liking. Some seat covers also come in different fabrics as well and might be better because of the additional comfort they can give to the baby. As far as safety, I don't see any issue with covers as most of them are designed to allow the harness to pass through. Another plus for a seat cover is that they are washable and can be removed, and easily replaced. Compared to the original padding, they are easier to clean. I don't know with you but my child likes to eat/drink while we are travelling so spills and food crumbs are very common. With a seat cover, you can just remove it once you get home and put in the laundry.

Making the Old Look New Again
A new car seat cover can help you reuse an old car seat. In our experience, the first car seat of our first-born was used for about seven months only. It surely makes sense to reuse it when we have our second child. In my view, a new car seat cover is a cheaper alternative to buying a brand new car seat. Keeping in mind that you have to check and make sure that everything looks fine before you reuse. Also, car seats that are involved in moderate to severe crashes should not be used anymore. I also don't recommend buying a second hand car seat unless you know exactly who used it as you'll never know if it has been involved in a crash before.

Car Seat Cover for Winter
For those living in colder climate, another reason would be the warmth and comfort it could give to the baby. There are seat covers designed specially for winter weather and in many ways it acts like a warm blanket for your child. Sometimes, this is a better option compared to having your child harnessed in his thick jacket while in the car seat. A jacket in most case is more uncomfortable. There are actually other alternatives for winter weather. There are some like Jolly Jumper Cuddle Bags that covers your baby well.

Different Styles for Different Needs
There are different car seat covers available in the market and you would have to look around to get one that satisfies your baby's need. Surf around and you might find what you need. Some are quite nicely designed (Check out JJ Cole Urban Bundle Me!). Price ranges from the low 30s to the high 90s and maybe more. To give you an idea, check out the following brands : Hot Toddies, JJ Cole Bundle Me, Britax, Graco, Jolly Jumper, Sorella Baby, Slip-Eez, Baby Snugger, Infantino, Baby Bella Maya and Ritzy Baby just to name a few.