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Did you know that you’re not supposed to place an infant carseat on top of a shopping cart? I do. Now. But before I was pregnant with Liam, I didn’t know that. I saw people doing it all the time, so I just assumed that it was the way everyone went grocery shopping with their baby. I didn’t realize how unsafe it was until I read about it during my pregnancy. I’ll touch more on this in a little bit. But when Liam was born, I wore him in the baby carrier, so grocery shopping was a breeze. Now, with a second babe, thinking about going grocery shopping with both of them gives me anxiety. Thankfully, though, I’ve found a few things to help me get the job done. Like the Binxy Baby shopping cart hammock.
There are so many great positives about the Binxy Baby. I’ve actually had people stop me in the store to ask me questions about it. Partly because Caleb looks so content in it, but also because people immediately recognize it as a unique (and helpful) way to take your baby shopping with you. It comes in six stylish print options. The one we have is the Indigo Dream print.
The Binxy Baby is a comfy ride for your little, sure. But it makes shopping so much more convenient too. When we were still waiting out ICPC in North Carolina, we stopped at Whole Foods to grab some things for meals. In case you don’t have a Whole Foods near you, the shopping carts are shorter than a regular grocery store cart. I didn’t have a baby carrier with me either, so I had to put Caleb and his carseat into the shopping cart. This left no room for groceries. So then I was stuck pushing a baby around in a cart while lugging around a heavy basket full of food. I definitely could have used a Binxy Baby then. It allows you to shop with your baby and still have room for your groceries. No need for the extra arm workout (unless you want to).
It can be used until your baby is sitting up on his own, so for 6-8 months or so, and it fits most standard grocery store carts. So whether I’m shopping at Meijer, Kroger, Target or Whole Foods, the Binxy Baby will fit. Which is awesome, because I tend to shop at different stores depending on what we have going on and what’s on my grocery list. Depending on the cart, this also means that you can use two of these side-by-side. So if you have twins, this is definitely still a great option.
Not only does the Binxy Baby hold your baby, but it can also hold the car seat. It supports up to 50 pounds of weight. There’s an extra strap specifically included to secure your carseat to the Binxy Baby. This way, you don’t have to worry about a hard jostle to the cart knocking the carseat over.
And I mentioned safety before, right? 24,000 kids a year get treated in the ER from shopping cart-related injuries. Placing the carseat on top of the shopping cart isn’t secure. There’s a huge chance of the carseat toppling from the cart. And even if it doesn’t, the constant clipping against the cart seat can damage your carseat. Which makes it dangerous to use back in the carseat base. The Binxy Baby is a safe alternative to this. It’s been through rigorous safety testing and has several features for good measure. Like the 2-layer upholstery weight fabric and secure seat harness. You should always be sure to strap the baby in properly, even if they’re sleeping. Can’t be too careful.
One of my favorite things? The hammock rolls up easily for storage. So you can stash it away in the car or diaper bag until you need to use it the next time. Lots of baby things take up so much space, so I’m happy to share one that is pretty minimalistic.
Cost-wise, the Binxy Baby comes in at just under $50. And you can save 10% on that here. Which, for something that’s well made and will last you 6-8 months, that’s not too expensive.
A few things to note – I wouldn’t really call these negatives, just things to keep in mind as you’re using your Binxy Baby:
- Grocery stores are cold. If you’re baby wearing, that’s pretty much a non-issue. And if you’re keeping your baby in his carseat, that helps insulate them a little bit too. But I’ve found that Caleb gets a little chilled pretty quickly when he’s just in the Binxy Baby. It’s especially hard in the summer, since you want to dress your baby for the heat outdoors. I make sure to bring an extra blanket for him to use when he’s in the Binxy Baby. This way, he can be more comfortable while we’re shopping. Plus, a cozy baby means a happier shopping trip for everyone.
- It’s important to shop strategically. Since the Binxy Baby really is a hammock, it sits in the cart in an incline. So the bottom of it hangs into the cart. You need to be a little more thoughtful in how you put your groceries in the cart. If you stack things too high underneath the Binxy Baby, it will push up against your baby making his ride less comfortable.
- Have a plan when you get to the store. Especially if you’ve got more than one child. What’s the weather like? Are you grabbing a cart someone has returned outdoors? Or are you carrying the baby inside and installing the Binxy Baby there? Luckily, the thing is easy to install. But trust me, it’s hard to hold a newborn and try to lift a toddler into the front seat of the shopping cart at the same time. It’s equally as difficult to expect said toddler to wait patiently while you get the baby settled first. My personal preference (if it’s not raining) is to park as close to a cart return stall as I can. I grab a cart, install in the Binxy Baby, and then get Caleb strapped in. Then, I get Liam out of the car and get him buckled in the cart. If it’s rainy, I’ve opted to keep Caleb in his carseat instead. I’ll carry the carseat into the store where I can set it on the ground while I put Liam in the cart. Or I just skip the grocery store for that day. I mean, who really likes shopping in the rain?
You can purchase a Binxy Baby through the company’s website, but it’s also available on Amazon and some retail stores. Don’t forget to check them out on Facebook and Instagram too!
Disclosure: I received this product as part of a partnership with Binxy Baby. All words and opinions are completely my own.
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