Thread: Winter Coats and Car Seat Reminder

On my military wife forum a seasoned mom had no idea that winter coats worn under car seat restraints are not safe. I know we're a group of better informed moms than most, but I figured I'd pass this on along anyways.

Why even thin winter coats aren't safe to be worn in a car seat:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNGT9eBL_gg

Thanks for the video.

I've known this information and I keep the girls in fleece coats as much as I can, but when you live in a place that gets to dangerously low temps (We're talking - 20 below zero or more with windchill), you sometimes have to weigh which safety hazard you need to worry about that day and sometimes we have to bundle up. It's frustrating. Thankfully we are having an unseasonably warm January. It's going to be in the 40's today!

That just does not work in Canada! Especially where I used to live. It would get to -50 celcius! No way you'd be going anywhere not bundled up that much. But with that much snow, any car accidents are slow motion anyways. LOL!

I know I barely get winter here and it won't show up for a few more months anyway, but I have a question. Last winter it go gool some mornings (I know it was horrible) and I would put Ronin is a jumper, they aren't overly thick or anything, are they safe to be on under a carseat. I can put the heater on in the car, but seriously it's barely warmed the car up enough by the time we get to our destination and it gets quite cold in the car.

You'll have to find us an example of what your jumper is. Jumper to me is just a long sleeve, long pants onesie basically.

The most Aiden uses is a fitted fleece jacket. If it's pretty cold, we throw a blanket on him once he's buckled in the car seat. I always keep one of those warm baby blankets in there for him in the winter. Same thing I did last winter too. I've been using the blanket a lot more because I can't turn on the car to warm it up for him now that we're in the apartment. I know a lot of moms put a coat on, take it off and buckle into the car seat quickly and then put the coat on them backwards (arms through the holes, back of coat agaist their tummy). Then when they get to the destination, put the coat on first after unbuckling. Takes a small amount of extra time, but at least you don't have the increased risk of injury.

Originally Posted by KittyRN

That just does not work in Canada! Especially where I used to live. It would get to -50 celcius! No way you'd be going anywhere not bundled up that much. But with that much snow, any car accidents are slow motion anyways. LOL!

I live in Minnesota, so I can identify.

I'll have to go find a photo of Ronin in a jumper. I know there is one somewhere of him in his hoodie

Originally Posted by KittyRN

That just does not work in Canada! Especially where I used to live. It would get to -50 celcius! No way you'd be going anywhere not bundled up that much. But with that much snow, any car accidents are slow motion anyways. LOL!

yes! this :P

i have to say though i didn't even know about this until the beginning of winter. i saw it on a local board i go to.

but getting a wiggly baby into his car seat, putting a coat around or over him only to have him throw it off, and then to try and get it back on him when you are taking him out? the thought of that tires me out!! i just try to make sure his straps are tight, or that his jacket is at least open and the straps are against his shirt.

So far this year we got no snow, and the -30s have not hit yet, but it has been really cold and windy. Fleece does not cutting it in wind. I got Juliet in a one piece fleece suite with a fall fleece lined windproof jacket, one size up, over top. I did not have to adjust the straps of the car seat to bucket her in, so it compresses good. I double check the shoulder straps and make sure the breast buckle is above her armpits.

The car ride is not so much the issue, as walking accross the parkinglot to get to the school. I had longjohns on today, and felt the cold through my pants.

I loved the bucketseats, because I could put heavy seat blanket in it.

I experienced actual cold temps (~14F) this week! In the car, I've been putting Teagan in a long sleeve shirt, baby legs under her pants, and a hooded fleece. I pop her poofy jacket on when we get out. She helps so its not too bad. The girl finally keeps her dang hat on! I think she understands its purpose now.