Bulky coats and the carseat

It's turned COLD here! Yikes. So I brought out the big, bulky coat for ds to
wear. It dawned on me that I had read/heard somewhere that you're not
supposed to wear the big coat on them while they are strapped into the
carseat. Is that true? If so, why?

I can't see myself getting him all bundled up to go to the car, take off the
coat in the car, drive to destination, bundle him up again to go outside,
run into the grocery store and take the coat off, go outside and put the
coat on, get in the car and take the coat off... Is that what others do?

Thanks!

It dawned on me that I had read/heard somewhere that you're not
supposed to wear the big coat on them while they are strapped into the
carseat. Is that true? If so, why?

The problem arises mostly with fleece or down jackets, because they're
compressible. That means that even though the carseat straps look tight, in an
accident the pressure on them would be great enough that the extra airspace in
a big fluffy coat gives the straps an unsafe amount of slack.

Something like a dense wool coat is not really a problem.

Most people, I think, leave the kids' coats on and just tighten the straps
really well. :-)

Holly
Mom to Camden, 2.5 yrs
EDD #2 6/8/04

Thanks, Holly! I didn't realize you were expecting #2! What does Camden
think about that? Congratulations!!

Sue & Benton, 2.5 yrs. old

Thanks, Holly! I didn't realize you were expecting #2! What does Camden
think about that? Congratulations!!

Sue & Benton, 2.5 yrs. old

Thanks! Only "went public" a short time ago. :-) Camden doesn't really know
yet. We're not exactly keeping it from him, but we haven't tried to explain
yet either; there hasn't been any reason to and an appropriate moment hasn't
come up....

But a couple of times in the last few months he's made comments about having or
wanting a little sister. So who knows. :-)

Holly
Mom to Camden, 2.5 yrs
EDD #2 6/8/04

cloud nine wrote:

It's turned COLD here! Yikes. So I brought out the big, bulky coat for ds to
wear. It dawned on me that I had read/heard somewhere that you're not
supposed to wear the big coat on them while they are strapped into the
carseat. Is that true? If so, why?


It's true. If you have a bulky coat underneath all
the straps, it will compress in an accident, making the
straps too loose, which will compromise the safety of the
child. This is also true for adults, by the way.


I can't see myself getting him all bundled up to go to the car, take off the
coat in the car, drive to destination, bundle him up again to go outside,
run into the grocery store and take the coat off, go outside and put the
coat on, get in the car and take the coat off... Is that what others do?


It's a pain, but yes, that's generally what I do
if we're talking about a bulky coat. More often I look
for less bulky coats so that it's not as much of an issue.

Best wishes,
Ericka

HollyLewis wrote in message
Holly
Mom to Camden, 2.5 yrs
EDD #2 6/8/04

Hey congratulations Holly. I don't think I ever saw an announcement. )
--
Sue (mom to three girls)
I'm Just a Raggedy Ann in a Barbie Doll World...

It's a pain, but yes, that's generally what I do
if we're talking about a bulky coat. More often I look
for less bulky coats so that it's not as much of an issue.

Best wishes,
Ericka

This is pretty much what I do, too. I use a less bulky coat and cover
Christopher with a blanket. I only use the bulky winter coat if we're actually
going outside, more than house to car/car to store, etc.


laurie
mommy to Jessica, 2.5 years and
Christopher, 7.5 months

Hey congratulations Holly. I don't think I ever saw an announcement. )
--
Sue (mom to three girls)

Hey yeah, congrats! Great news! How far along does that make you now?




laurie
mommy to Jessica, 2.5 years and
Christopher, 7.5 months

We just dressed them as usual and covered them with a throw or blanket after
they were already buckled in.


"cloud nine" wrote in message
...
It's turned COLD here! Yikes. So I brought out the big, bulky coat for ds
to
wear. It dawned on me that I had read/heard somewhere that you're not
supposed to wear the big coat on them while they are strapped into the
carseat. Is that true? If so, why?

I can't see myself getting him all bundled up to go to the car, take off
the
coat in the car, drive to destination, bundle him up again to go outside,
run into the grocery store and take the coat off, go outside and put the
coat on, get in the car and take the coat off... Is that what others do?

Thanks!

In article ,
laurie wrote:
It's a pain, but yes, that's generally what I do
if we're talking about a bulky coat. More often I look
for less bulky coats so that it's not as much of an issue.

Best wishes,
Ericka

This is pretty much what I do, too. I use a less bulky coat and cover
Christopher with a blanket. I only use the bulky winter coat if we're actually
going outside, more than house to car/car to store, etc.

What about Jessica? I did the less bulky coat and cover with a blanket
when they were babies, but I find that much less practical with a 2yo
for many reasons. So far, I have been using his regular (moderately
bulky) winter jacket and trying to make the straps pretty tight. But
I dont' think that's the "right" way to do things. I'm still looking
for a good solution. I don't think I was aware of this issue when the
older two were toddlers (though I did "the right thing" when they were in
the infant seat at least). It has been about zero degrees when we leave
the house in the morning, so I have to bundle them up.

--Robyn (mommy to Ryan 9/93 and Matthew 6/96 and Evan 3/01)