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How do I Choose the Best Car Seat Canopy?

Dan Cavallari
Dan Cavallari

A car seat canopy will help keep the sun out of your baby's face while sitting in the back seat of the car, and it will provide darkness for nap time. The canopy is a great safety feature as well, as it will allow the baby to feel warmth and comfort without blankets, which can slide and shift over the baby's mouth, preventing adequate breathing. Choosing the best car seat canopy is a matter of finding one that fits your car seat, your budget, and your aesthetic preferences. Most importantly, look for one that does not have any hard edges or loose threads that can pose a risk to the child.

The different varieties of car seat canopy models available will vary in style: some feature fringes, others feature colorful patterns and shapes that can stimulate the baby, and others feature security straps or locks to keep the canopy in place. Some canopies are even split for easy access to the baby, while others will simply pull back like a sheet for access. Decide what features you are looking for, and remember that children will very often react positively to bright colors and vivid shapes. If the canopy is used primarily for allowing the child to sleep, a more subdued color with fewer shapes may be best.

A car seat canopy should fit over a baby car seat without being too loose or too snug.
A car seat canopy should fit over a baby car seat without being too loose or too snug.

Be sure to choose a car seat canopy made from durable materials and one that features a high-quality system for keeping the canopy in place. Hook and loop straps are easy to use and safe for the baby, while other security systems that feature hard plastic objects or metal are less convenient and less safe for the baby. Avoid any car seat canopy with features that could be a choking hazard. Be sure to examine all stitching for quality, as lower quality stitching is likely to work loose and pose a choking hazard for the child.

Babies under 20 pounds are required to be placed in rear-facing car seats, in the back seats of vehicles.
Babies under 20 pounds are required to be placed in rear-facing car seats, in the back seats of vehicles.

You can, of course, make your own car seat canopy with any customizations you like. This option may be cheaper than purchasing a prefabricated canopy, but it will take more time and skills to construct the canopy from scratch. Choose materials that are attractive and high-quality, and either choose a thick material or one that can be folded to provide double paneling; this will help keep out sunlight and insulate the car seat when the child is in it. Consider the security system you will use carefully before choosing a canopy plan and purchase all necessary materials at once to avoid having to stop in the middle of the process.

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    • A car seat canopy should fit over a baby car seat without being too loose or too snug.
      By: ramzi hachicho
      A car seat canopy should fit over a baby car seat without being too loose or too snug.
    • Babies under 20 pounds are required to be placed in rear-facing car seats, in the back seats of vehicles.
      By: Joanna Zielinska
      Babies under 20 pounds are required to be placed in rear-facing car seats, in the back seats of vehicles.