Why One Mom's Viral Car Seat 'Hack' Is So Dangerous

Parenting is hard, so when a new hack for making life even just a little bit easier comes along, the internet can be quick to jump on the idea. From how to soothe a colicky baby to dislodging something stuck up your kid’s nose, some hacks are incredibly helpful. But with the good comes some bad too.

A dangerous new “car seat hack” has recently been making the rounds on social media. The video, which now has over 2 million views, shows a mom clipping her baby’s car seat to the handle and the pull-out toddler seat of a shopping cart. The caption reads, “Who knew that this maxi cosi car seat clips onto the trolley?”

While this may seem like an easy way to shop with baby without having to transfer them from their car seat, as some parents pointed out in the comments, this hack can be very dangerous. Many of the commenters mention there are two big safety issues with this idea.

First, snapping your car seat onto anything except its intended base can damage the clips on your car seat and keep it from safely protecting your child in the event of a crash. Secondly, having the car seat perched atop the shopping cart makes for a precarious position for baby. If the cart is tipped over or baby is not securely fastened, they could fall out and be injured.

If you do need to run into the store with baby, commentators suggest putting the car seat into the main basket of the shopping cart and putting food around baby. You can also make a plan to wear your baby in your favorite baby carrier.

It’s important to stay informed when it comes to your child’s well-being. Check out these top car seat safety tips and remember to vet any new hacks with your pediatrician.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.