Mom’s Guide 2018: What’s The Best Baby Shopping Cart Cover?

Avoid those nasty germs.

I don’t even like touching a shopping cart handle myself (who knows what kind of gross things are on it), so after I caught my daughter gnawing on the handle, I had to do something about it.

Just nasty.

I’ve used a shopping cart cover since that day, and if you’re reading this, you must be interested in them too. Good call!

Baby shopping cart covers are intended for kids that can sit up on their own, so about 6 months of age and older. Really, as soon as your child is old enough to ride in the cart seat, you should be using one of these covers.

Why I Recommend a Shopping Seat Cover

The fact is that shopping carts really can harbor a number of nasty germs and bacteria. First of all, people are pushing them around with their bare hands, so any germs on their hands are now lovingly spread all over the handle for everyone else to share.

Furthermore, I’m sure you’ve had the experience of picking up a carton of chicken only to have blood seep out of it. Yep, the cart could have blood on it, which can cause salmonella and e. coli poisoning, among other things.

Furthermore, the previous rider of the cart could have had a leaky diaper or dirty hands of their own, and pass it on to the next kid.

The teething toddler will find the shopping cart handle to be the perfect outlet for their gnawing, and I don’t even have to explain how gross that is. Even getting their hands on it is something you want to avoid.

Aside from the sanitary aspects, those shopping cart seats just aren’t comfortable. They’re made of hard metal with absolutely no padding, and imagine having to ride around in one of those yourself for an hour! A good cover is well-padded and makes the ride far more enjoyable and comfortable.

Finally, shopping cart covers are just more safe. Most of them have straps that attach to the cart and your child, and even though most shopping carts have some built in, they’re just not clean.

A tumble from a cart when you’re that young is pretty serious, so this gives me a lot of peace of mind when I’m shopping.

The Types of Shopping Cart Covers

Let’s quickly break down the different types of covers, shall we?

Low-end cart covers are basic coverings generally don’t have any kind of padding; they’re just a cotton cover that provides a layer of protection from your child and the cart itself. I don’t particularly recommend these simply because of the comfort aspect, but they are cheaper. You can probably find one for $15-20.

High-end covers are what I recommend; they’re padded to make the ride more comfortable, and usually come with extras like pockets to hold cellphones and other stuff, safer straps, and sometimes even toys.

MomTricks Picks: Our Favorite Shopping Cart Cover

Buggy Bagg Elite

My personal favorite (and the best) shopping cart cover is the Buggy Bagg Elite (click here to see it).

Coming in 3 different designs and very well-padded, this is an awesome cover!

The exterior is 100% cotton and the interior is 100% polyester, and the padding is pretty good and comfy. What I really love about this one, in particular, is that it covers ALL of the seat, so there’s absolutely no access to any of the cart itself when your child is sitting in it.

It also has a nice, cushiony pillow for where the handle is, so it protects heads and teeth, too. The pillow can be removed, but I like using it.

As far as extras go, there are a bunch of cup holders (for water or baby bottles) and a large container section for diapers, wipes, clothes or anything like that. There’s also a few toy loops, which I like to use with a teether.

Best of all, it’s machine-washable. You should really be washing your seat cover every time you use it, so you can just throw it in the wash and tumble dry it on low, although I’d recommend air-drying it.

It has a strap to keep them safe, and you’ll be happy to know that it works in virtually every shopping cart I’ve tried it in. I even end up getting compliments and people asking where I got it when I’m out; people just love this thing!

Seriously, it’s just well worth it. I know it’s not cheap, but it’s something I never regretted buying. Believe me, the first time you see your child with their mouth on the handle of the cart, you’ll wish you had something like this.

Best For Twins: Itzy Ritzy Shopping Cart and High Chair Cover

Shopping Cart Covers For Twins

If you have twins, you’re in luck! Inzy Ritzy (click here to see it in all 6 styles) makes a great shopping cart cover that also works with twins!

The oversized leg holes are perfect for twins, and it comes with 2 safety belts to keep your little ones safe.

It’s nicely padded and comfortable, and completely covers up the exposed areas of the cart, which is exactly what you want.

The exterior is made of 100% cotton, and the seat is machine-washable, making it really convenient to keep clean. Plus, the cover is reversible, making it last a lot longer! There are 2 toy loops included (great for twins) and 2 pockets for toys or anything else you might want to bring along.

A nice bonus is that can be used on high chairs or restaurant chairs, too. Coming in 5 different colors and patterns, you’ll probably find one you like!

4 comments
    1. Hi Kate. Unfortunately, I don’t know offhand which covers will work with the new carts at Target. If anyone else knows, please let us know!

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