How to Carry a Car Seat

Co-authored by Julie Wright, MFT and Eric McClure

Last Updated: March 28, 2023 References

Have you been carrying your child’s car seat the wrong way? As convenient as car seats are, these clunky and hefty items can leave your back, neck, and shoulders sore if you’re lugging it around all day. Luckily, there’s a clever hack to take the weight off while carrying your baby safely in their car seat. In this article, we’ll show you the best way to carry a car seat.

Things You Should Know

Carry the carseat by threading your arm through the handle. The top of the handle rests on your shoulder, and your hand grips the side of the carseat.
You can also carry it against your stomach by wrapping your arms around the base of the carseat (as if you are giving it a hug).
For especially heavy car seats, choose an option that comes with wheels or a lighter version with a carrying strap.

1

Set the car seat down, facing you.

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You can do this with your baby in the seat, or out of it. Get down on a knee and orient the car seat so that you’re looking at the baby (or would be if the baby were there). Keep the car seat on your dominant side.^{[1]
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- Most folks find this works best with lighter car seats. If you’ve got a bulkier, heavier car seat, try to avoid carrying it with your baby in it and use both hands to carry it in front of you.
- A lot of people find this carrying method uncomfortable. This should not hurt. If it does, carry it in front of you with both hands.
- Careful with the lifting if you’ve just given birth! Wait at least 12 weeks (or more depending on your doctor’s guidance) before you lift heavy weights.^{[2]
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2

Slide your arm through the handle.

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Put your dominant arm through the loop and cradle it. Rest the underside of the handle in the crook of your elbow, kind of like you’re carrying a big purse. Turn your palm away from you.^{[3]
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- You may have carried the car seat like this on its own if you’ve ever had your hands full.

3

Reach down and turn your hand.

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Keep your elbow against the handle and extend your arm down. To visualize this, your bicep should be above the handle on the side closest to your child’s feet. Your forearm should be on the side closer to your child’s head, pointing down towards the base of the car seat.^{[4]
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4

Grab the underside of the car seat.

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What you grab depends on the model of your car seat. If there are any knobs or built-in latches for the straps and that feels like a natural place to grip the car seat, hold it there. If there’s nothing on the side to hold on to, cup the underside of the car seat with your fingers.^{[5]
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- Carrying the car seat this way distributes the weight more evenly between your elbow and hand, so the car seat literally feels lighter.

5

Lift with your legs.

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Raise the car seat up slowly and carefully. Maintain the natural curve in your spine and don’t tilt or bend your upper body to keep the car seat steady. Once you’re upright, readjust your grip as needed to make the car seat as comfortable as possible.^{[6]
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Mayo Clinic
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- If you find this unnatural or uncomfortable, don’t push it. It’s okay to hold it by the handle, ask for help, or hold it with two hands in front of you.

6

Stabilize the car seat against your hip.

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As you walk, keep the seat tucked at your side to support it. Continue to grip the side or underside of the car seat while balancing the seat with your elbow. Walk slowly and set the car seat down if you start to feel any kind of pain.^{[7]
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- A lot of people find this to be a little too cumbersome. If that’s you, don’t force it.

7

Carry the seat in front of you, instead.

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If the one-arm method hurts, hold it at your stomach instead. Wrap both of your arms around the base of the car seat like you’re hugging it. Lift with your legs and raise the car seat up. Hold it against your gut or sternum to balance it as you walk.^{[8]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

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- Have someone else carry your child or transport them separately in a stroller if you’re going to move the car seat this way.
- You can also carry the car seat by the handle if you prefer. Although, this is likely going to hurt your back if you found the one-arm method too painful.

8

Try a car seat with wheels or get a carrying strap.

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There are plenty of car seats out there that are easy to transport. If you find yourself carrying the car seat frequently, consider upgrading to something that’s easier to move. You might buy a car seat with built-in wheels if you carry the seat through airports or finished floors frequently.^{[9]
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- You can also buy a car seat strap to latch a car seat to some rolling luggage.

9

Use a stroller or wrap if you need to carry your baby often.

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It’s totally fine to use the car seat as transport for short trips between vehicles or at the airport. However, if you don’t have a stroller, baby carrier, or baby wrap, buy one. These will make transporting your baby a breeze, and you can keep that heavy car seat where it belongs.^{[11]
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Tips

The Maxi-Cosi Coral XP Car Seat is widely considered to be one of the best lightweight car seats on the market.^{[12]
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Make sure that you’re lifting your child safely as well.

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