The 'right' way to carry a baby car seat (it's not how you think...)

If you've ever lugged your baby's car seat across a car park and wondered why it keeps smacking into your leg, you're not alone. Most parents carry their car seat the same way: grab the handle, hoist it up, and off you go. It works, but it's not great for your body. The seat swings into your leg with every step, the weight hangs far from your body, and your shoulder, hip and back are doing all the heavy lifting on one side.

There's a reason car seat handles are curved, and it's not just for looks.

The method:

1. Turn the car seat so baby is facing you
2. Slide your arm through the handle
3. Grip the handle joint (where the handle meets the shell)
4. Adjust so your wrist sits on your hip

This shifts the weight from your arm and shoulder onto your hip, which is much better at handling heavy loads. The seat stays close to your body instead of swinging out to the side, and you can walk normally without that awkward knee-swing to avoid the seat bumping your leg.

This technique was originally shared by Dr Emily Puente, a chiropractor and mum, and it went viral for good reason. By keeping the car seat close to your centre of gravity, you reduce the strain on your upper back, shoulder and hip. It's the same principle behind any heavy lifting advice: keep the weight close to your body.

A couple of things to keep in mind

Not every car seat handle is shaped the same way, so this method may feel slightly different depending on your model. Give it a try and see how it feels with yours. If it's uncomfortable, don't force it.

It's also worth remembering that as your baby gets heavier, carrying them in the car seat for long distances gets harder regardless of technique. If you're doing more than a short walk from the car, clicking the car seat onto your stroller with car seat adapters is always going to be easier on your body. That's what travel systems are designed for.

But for the dash from the car to the restaurant, the walk from the taxi to the front door, or the quick trip across the car park? This method makes a real difference.

Want to know more about choosing the right car seat for your family? Read our car seat buying guide for the full rundown.