Car Seat and Jacket question....

Since I live in the city, I don't have much experience with this. It is my understanding that children aren't supose to wear a jacket while in the car seat. So, does your child wear their coat to the car and then take it off?

We have a block to walk to our garage so, not wearing a jacket isn't an option for us, but I have to admit, it is a PITA!

TIA

Re: Car Seat and Jacket question....

Both my kids wear/wore coats in the carseat, I never knew they shouldn't. DD#1 is 8 and she's alive and well, so I assume DD#2 will be as well

Re: Car Seat and Jacket question....

DD wears a coat in the carseat

Re: Car Seat and Jacket question....

we use the bundleme

Re: Car Seat and Jacket question....

Both my kids wear there coats in the carseats.

Re: Car Seat and Jacket question....

OK---stepping up onto my soap box--

You are NOT supposed to have a jacket on DC in their carseats. My DH is a FDNY EMT and had to take a class in car seat safety/installation. In an accident the straps will compress to the coat and not to the baby and they can be ejected. My DH has seen it happen

I am NOT a stickler about much, but this is something NOT to mess around with. Yes, people have done it and their kids have been fine, but why take the risk?

Re: Car Seat and Jacket question....

My DD does wear a coat but it's fleece. They are supposed to be on the safer side. If we are going somewhere & then will be outside and it's chilly, I will bring her a heavier coat in the car to change later.

Re: Car Seat and Jacket question....

I would just put them in their coats and take them off when you put them in the seat.

For those that put jackets on their kids, put your child in the jacket, buckle the straps. Then take the child out of the seat, take the coat off, put them back in, and see how much of a gap is there between their body and the straps. If it's more than 2 fingers, they can be ejected if you get in an accident when that coat compresses from the force of hitting something going 50 or 60mph.

Not something I'm personally willing to risk, but it's all about your comfort level

Re: Car Seat and Jacket question....

I either use no coat or if it's really cold (as it's been the last few weeks) I put DD in her fleece jacket (which wouldn't compress). I keep her winter coat in the car and switch her into it if we're walking for a long distance once we're out of the car. More often than not, though, it's just a short distance, and I just keep her in the fleece.

Re: Car Seat and Jacket question....

Thanks for all of your input! We have been taking the coats off and now I have DH drop me off with the kidlets at the buidling while he parks the car.

I totally get why they shouldn't wear a jacket! I miss the bundle me/infant car seat days! It was so much easier!

Re: Car Seat and Jacket question....

Posted by KateDevine

OK---stepping up onto my soap box--

You are NOT supposed to have a jacket on DC in their carseats. My DH is a FDNY EMT and had to take a class in car seat safety/installation. In an accident the straps will compress to the coat and not to the baby and they can be ejected. My DH has seen it happen

I am NOT a stickler about much, but this is something NOT to mess around with. Yes, people have done it and their kids have been fine, but why take the risk?

Re: Car Seat and Jacket question....

When I had my carseat installed, they told to take the kids' jackets off, buckle them into the seat, then cover them with the jacket.

Re: Car Seat and Jacket question....

Well you have two options - one would be to get a warm coat and remove it before getting into the car - or you could get a bundle me for the stroller, and a lighter NON puffy jacket and put them in the car seat in that. I asked the car seat guy (car seat chris in Mineola that a lot of the moms use here and he lectures on car seat safety) when we turned DD's seat around and he said that Lands end sells non puffy jackets that are okay for the car seat b.c they don't compress when you put the straps on them. You just can't use those puffy ones (which is hard b.c that is like 90% of what they sell in the stores).

etd to add this is the jacket her recommended (or a fleece) and a number of people I know use it too. It is no bulkier than a sweater, doesn't compress the straps and DD seems to be warm in it.

It is the baby squall jacket.

http://www.landsend.com/pp/SquallJacket~176300_-1.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::ZTU&CM_MERCH=IDX_00004__0000000427&origin=index

it has a fleece lining and the outer layer is waterproof and windproof.

Message edited 1/24/2009 9:55:04 AM.

Re: Car Seat and Jacket question....

it's ABSOLUTELY a pita!

from house to car - jacket
in car - no jacket
arrive at destination - jacket
get to destination - jacket off

it's a ROYAL pita..... but GOD FORBID i am in an accident..... i want to make sure that she is completely safe and secure in the straps of her seat.

Re: Car Seat and Jacket question....

I followed tho the advice of a mom or a video that was posted here awhile ago. When we get into the car, I unzip DS's jacket under his coat, and then zip up again. So, he is sitting on the back of his jacket, but the straps and 5 point harness are touching his chest. It's so hard to explain.... but it seems to work. I can get the straps nice and snug to his body.

Re: Car Seat and Jacket question....

Re: Car Seat and Jacket question....

I'm so glad that this was posted. DH and I are change out the car seat this weekend...DD has out grown the infant car seat. I never heard this about the jacket before. This is why I love this board. I don't post that often...but I learn so much!!!!

Re: Car Seat and Jacket question....

DD wears a VERY thin jacket that does NOT compress in her car seat, and that's fine for to/from the store, etc too since they're quick trips. I do keep her heavy winter coat in the car too, just in case.

In your case, I agree with the other posters: I'd either get the Bundle Me for over the stroller and a light jacket for the kids; or the heavy jacket and remove them before putting them in the carseats.

I am very paranoid about car safety.

Re: Car Seat and Jacket question....

Ryan wears a fleece jacket and cover him up with two blankets. I tried using the bundle me, but I think it affected the straps.

Re: Car Seat and Jacket question....

you are not supposed to wear jackets that are bulky.