Carrying a car seat doesn’t have to be difficult. Most people are actually carrying a car seat the wrong way and don’t even know it.
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Even better, the “right” way to carry it is simple, easy to learn, and doesn’t require any special tools.
The Wrong Way to Carry a Car Seat
Though the “wrong” way may seem natural, it puts a lot of strain on an individual’s body. The “wrong” way to carry a car seat is the most common way: you put your arm through the handle and hook it upwards, just like carrying a picnic basket.
Of course, this puts a lot of strain on your elbow while also making it very awkward to walk. With the pivot point at your elbow, the car seat will move back and forth every time you step forward, creating a sort of shuffling gait and often slamming the car seat into your hip.
Most people will also shift the car seat from side to side to make it more comfortable, but this becomes distracting as well.
How to Carry a Car Seat the Right Way
The right way to carry a car seat is almost identical but makes a major change. In this way, the car seat is lifted the same way, with one arm under the handle. But instead of carrying it like a picnic basket, the individual carrying it instead moves their hand down the side of the car seat, placing their hand at the bottom of the basket, facing towards the basket.
This stabilizes the car seat against your body and ensures that the car seat doesn’t move back and forth. It reduces strain on the individual areas of your arm and makes it easier to walk.
This way to carry a car seat is an important life hack, as not only does it make the car seat easier to carry, but it also reduces the chances of damage and strain to your body.
Safety is of the utmost importance under all circumstances, whether yours or that of your children. While this tip is certainly helpful, be sure to also familiarize yourself with how to properly secure a car seat and the car seat laws in your state.