2In addition to all the choices in infant car seats, many baby stores and online shops sell a number of car seat accessories. You may want to consider what accessories an infant car seat has available when picking one out, or you can look for accessories for a car seat you already have. Not all accessories are available for all models. Depending on your needs, you may find a few, or many, of these accessories useful.
- Purchase a second car seat base if you frequently use the car seat in more than one vehicle. Many infant car seats have a detachable base that stays in the car when you remove the part that doubles as a baby carrier, and not having to move and reinstall the base makes moving baby from one car to another much easier.Try a head support cushion if your baby is tiny and needs more support than the infant car seat offers. Head supports may also help baby fall asleep more comfortably during long drives.Select a stroller frame that fits your infant car seat, so you can take baby shopping or on walks directly from the car. Some travel systems include a complete, but sometimes heavy, stroller that you can use with or without the car seat. Others are lightweight frames that the car seat carrier snaps into.Look for a motorized swing frame that accepts your infant car seat for a simple, portable travel swing.Consider getting a warm car seat cover, sometimes called a cold weather boot, if you take your infant out in a winter climate, especially if you use the car seat in a stroller. These fuzzy, blanket-like covers fit snugly over the carrier part of the car seat, which provides extra cold weather protection and is easier than bundling up your little one in lots of layers.Choose a sunshade or bug netting cover for your baby’s car seat if you live in a hot climate. Sunshade accessories substantially extend the small canopy that often comes with infant car seats, while bug netting keeps insects from biting your baby during picnics and summer outings.Use a car seat mat or seat protector to prevent the car seat from damaging your car, especially if you have new or leather seats. Some seat protectors include a pouch for holding small baby items and snacks. Make sure the protector works with the type of car and car seat you have, and can be safely installed under the car seat.Consider a travel bag for the car seat if your frequently take it on airplanes. Some bags simply protect the seat, while others have carrying straps or even wheels.
