Car Seats and the Winter

There is a similar post in the Pregnancy area dealing with infants. During this time of year most of the questions deal with dressing the baby for the car seat. This post will deal with the forward facing child.

No snowsuits or heavy puffy jackets when transporting a child in the car. The reason is that the snowsuit and the jacket add extra distance between the seat strap and the child. This movement may not seem like much, but it really is.

As in prior posts, please keep a child in a 5-point harness as long as possible. Many new seats on the market can go above the old 40 pound ones. It is not a bad thing to keep a child in a 5-point child seat above the age of 4 or 5.

Lastly, as of November 23, the new child seat law goes into effect - all children under the age of 8 must be in a seat - this includes a booster. Remember the purpose of a booster is to raise a child up so that the lap belt stays on the lap and not on the stomach. Also, that the shoulder belt stay on the shoulder.

We should not be in a hurry to take children out of protective seats so soon. Trust me, I have 3 kids and they get too big too soon.

Message edited 10/6/2009 9:57:15 PM.

Re: Car Seats and the Winter

thank you for the info.

Re: Car Seats and the Winter

Thank you for posting!

Re: Car Seats and the Winter

What do you suggest a rear facing infant wears(in a convertible seat) We just discussed this the other day and someone posted a poncho type coat where the coat would go outside the straps

Re: Car Seats and the Winter

I have seen this product and it is fine. You have hit on the key element - nothing should be below or interfere with the straps. (Coats are considered part of the child, so they do not count in the discussion.)

Re: Car Seats and the Winter

Re: Car Seats and the Winter

Posted by doublestroller

Posted by DRMom

What do you suggest a rear facing infant wears(in a convertible seat) We just discussed this the other day and someone posted a poncho type coat where the coat would go outside the straps

just got mine in the mail today, it's adorable and hopefully will do the trick for quick ins and outs

Re: Car Seats and the Winter

This type of product is fine as long as it does not go between the straps and the child.

Re: Car Seats and the Winter

can some post a link for that new product

Re: Car Seats and the Winter

Re: Car Seats and the Winter

Re: Car Seats and the Winter

This is great info! Thank you for posting!

Re: Car Seats and the Winter

I remember last winter there was a post to a you tube video where it showed that you can have your child wear their coat, unzip it and place the car seat straps against the child and then zip the jacket over the straps. I assume this is safe as well, correct?

Re: Car Seats and the Winter

Re: Car Seats and the Winter

No it is not safe. The strap must be over any clothing.

Message edited 10/8/2009 12:12:30 PM.

Re: Car Seats and the Winter

This is the reason why i kept Zoey in her infant seat as long as I did even though she was breaking my back. I didn't switch her to the Roundabout until it got warmer out. I used the shower cap style cover by Kiddopotamus. This winter we're going to have an issue. Not sure how to keep her warm out of the car without using a jacket. Am I supposed to put her in a spring jacket? She'll freeze. This is going to suck.

Re: Car Seats and the Winter

You can use a winter coat - just try to avoid one that is overly "puffy"