Whether there's a cold spell or you're cranking up the air-con to stay cool, you'll want to keep your baby as warm as possible in their baby car seat when travelling; this is where a baby car seat blanket comes in useful.
Before you fasten your newborn into their seat, wearing their cosy coat, remember it is not safe for babies to wear thick clothing or winter coats under harnesses when in the car, as they can prevent the harness from being secure and therefore protect your baby in the event of an accident.
This is where a baby car seat blanket comes in useful. While any baby blanket would do the trick, it's worth considering buying a specific car seat blanket, as this will stop it from slipping off. Car seat blankets generally have holes for the seat belt to loop through, meaning they sit underneath your baby and are safely in place while your baby is fastened in.
The best car seat blankets 2023:
•The best fitted baby car seat blanket: Navaris Baby Car Seat Blanket
•The best for versatility: Wallaboo Baby Blanket
•The best for babies with sensitive skin: BlueberryShop Minky Fleece Baby Swaddle Wrap
•The best for organic material: KURA Organic Baby Wrap
Our mum testers have put the leading car seat blankets to the test, taking into account the safety aspect, fastenings and, of course, comfort to narrow down the masses of available baby car seat blankets, making choosing the right one for you and baby quick and easy.
The best car seats blanket 2023
1.
Snugglebundl
The best for a snazzy design
Description
This impressive design from Snugglebundl has handles, helping you to lift your baby out of the car seat without needing to disturb them. Result! Made from 100 per cent soft, natural cotton, it has protective padding under the head and in the hood. You can be sure it's safe as the harness sits under the blanket rather than on top, and it's been car crash-tested too. We particularly loved this one for mamas recovering from a c-section, as it makes lifting babies in and out of the car much easier.
One mum tester said: "We saw this product at the baby show and bought only one because we weren't sure before the baby arrived. However, we find it amazing and makes it really easy to pick baby up from bedside cot, pram etc especially because I have pain in my wrists and finger joints (apparently typical new mum pains). Have recommended to every new mum friend!"
Pros
- Makes it easier to lift your baby (especially for mums recovering from a C-section)
- Machine washable
Cons
- Can look worn after a few washes
The best fitted baby car seat blanket
Description
Fitting most three point belt systems in infant and child car seats, pushchairs and strollers and buggies, this double-sided baby wrap has multiple openings for harnesses so your child can be fitted securely into their car seat. Made of plush, cosy fabric, there are several styles and colours available, but we love this cute blue and grey whale design.
A mum tester said: "As a first time mum I didn't know that you shouldn't put coats/ thick layers on a baby in a car seat but I was forever worrying about my daughter catching a chill. After looking online I found this..it keeps her cosy and warm. The material is soft and decent print, for the price. Only negative is the top part is kind of too big. Fits my Nuna turtle car seat."
Pros
- Very soft against baby's skin
- Features holes for the car seat straps
Cons
- Small in size, so only suitable for small babies
The best for high-tech warmth
Description
Although this is technically a footmuff, it's more than practical as a blanket too. Designed to fit most Group 0 and 0+ infant car seats, the practical pull-tie hood minimises any pesky draughts and keeps your baby's head warm. The zipper opening makes it easy to access your little one, and the footmuff is filled with 'Thinsulate Insulation', well known for its great insulation.
One parent tester said: I simply loved this footmuff as soon as I have received it - it is a great quality product of a perfect size, which very well fits both the car seat and a pushchair.It works well in UK winter and keeps baby warm. It has very nice finish - gender neutral beautiful grey colour textile on the outer side and a nice soft inner layer. It comes in a nice branded bag. I would highly recommend it!"
Pros
- Footmuff and blanket in one
- Includes a hood
Cons
- Only suitable for very cold weather
The best for versatility
Description
Ideal for the cold winter months, this multi-purpose blanket from Wallaboo can be used as a snuggle wrap, warm blanket or even play mat, and it'll certainly keep your little one warm with foot pockets and a hood too. Fitting three and five point harness systems, velcro fastenings keep the wrap securely in place, however much they may kick.
One mum tester said: "Fantastic product! My 4-month-old baby absolutely loves being snuggled up in this ism her car seat. It is so cosy and the enclosed legs means she can't kick the blanket off and get cold like she does with a blanket. I bought this on the recommendation of a friend when I discovered that babies shouldn't wear snowsuits in car seats for safety reasons due to material compressing and not being fully protected in the event of an accident. It's brilliant!"
Pros
- Machine washable
- Includes hood and footmuff
Cons
- On the smaller side
The best for babies with sensitive skin
Description
This BlueberryShop 2-in-1 blanket can be used as not only a car seat blanket during your travels but also to wrap your baby up in their crib. Specifically designed for car seats thanks to its 3-point harness, its hypoallergenic and the inner lining is made of 100 per cent cotton, with the outer lining combining minky cotton and polyester. We love the huge choice of colours too.
Review: "Love this blanket. It's lovely and thick and I love the hoops where the straps from your pram or car seat can go through. The design is also really cute (I got the unicorn one) and the white part has little dimples. Glad I spent some money on it it's descent."
Pros
- Ideal for 3-point harness car seat
- Reversible
Cons
- Needs washing on a delicate cycle
The best for organic material
kura-organics.com
Description
Safety tested, this KURA wrap is made from 100 per cent GOTS certified organic cotton and is finished with coconut shell buttons. Poppers make for quick and easy fastening without disturbing your tot when wanting to keep them warm. There are some beautiful colours in the Earth collection - such as Cinnamon (pictured), Charcoal and Clay, in addition to the existing Signature Collection designs in Pebble, Sorbet and Sky stripes.
Our mum tester Sophie Knight said: "I found a baby car seat blanket so useful in those first few months, and this one from KURA is as soft as silk. It's so cosy, I happily kept my little one wrapped in it after we'd left the car."
Pros
- Made from soft organic cotton knitted fabric
- 3 and 5 point harness friendly
Cons
- May get too warm on hotter days
The best for a hooded option
jukki.uk
Description
This milky way navy minky car seat blanket will ensure your baby feels both cosy and safe, with holes for harnesses which fit most types of car seats, bouncers, prams and carriers. Made out of soft and 100 per cent breathable cotton fabric, velcro closure prevents your baby from wriggling free of the blanket.
One mum tester said: "Highly recommend. Really warm and easy to attach to car seat. Just love it."
Pros
- Anti-allergy filling
- Includes hood
Cons
- Needs washing delicately
Are baby car blankets safe?
While you shouldn't leave loose blankets laying around baby in their crib, car seat blankets are safe to use in the car if you want to keep baby warm on a journey. They're much safer than leaving your baby's thick coat on, as the harness remains closer to their body. If you did prefer to use a regular baby blanket, make sure it's tucked in around your little one as a top layer over the harness.
If you are still worried and want to keep it in a safe place during the journey, you can use a car seat organiser. That way, you can also store all of their toys, snacks and other essentials you may need for the journey.
Are car seat swaddle blankets safe?
The most important thing when it comes to your baby's car seat is that baby is safely secured in their harness. While blankets can be tucked in over the harness straps, it's not safe to swaddle your baby in a swaddle blanket before placing them in a car seat.
How else can I keep my baby warm in a car seat?
As well as using a blanket, be sure to crank the heat up in your car. You may also want to dress your baby in a few layers. Although winter coats aren't safe to keep on in the car, thinner fleece jackets could be a more suitable and safer option.
Do babies need a blanket in the car?
Car seat blankets aren't a necessity, especially in the summer months. However, if you're taking your baby out in the winter, especially on a frosty morning, then you might want to pop a blanket over baby until the car has warmed up. Remember, as a general rule of thumb, infants should wear one more layer than adults, so if you're in a winter coat, they'll need a warming blanket to keep them toasty.
Emily Gilbert is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby and has written for the website and previously the magazine for six years. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases in the parenting industry.