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Car Seat Jacket Safety [+3 Safe Solutions for Keeping Kids Warm]

Each year, as the weather starts to get cold, I do a post on the Plus Mommy Facebook page about car seat safety. I address the importance of removing bulky winter coats before putting kids in car seats.

Then I grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and watch the internet implode.

I'd like to think most of us can agree, just by looking at the cover photo above, that the child is NOT properly secured. It's not a debate.

When a child is wearing a puffy winter coat in their car seat, and there's an accident, they might as well be strapped in that loosely!

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little girl in a carseat

Car Seat Jacket Safety

I live in Colorado where it snows and can get super cold during winter. Like most parents-to-be, my husband and I took a newborn care class and we got our car seat installed at the fire department.

No one ever talked to us about extended rear facing.

Or removing our son's bulky coat before putting him in the car seat.

All of that information I learned via Facebook on pages like Car Seats for the Littles and The Car Seat Lady.

YouTube video

No, you shouldn't believe everything you read on Facebook. You should do your own research when presented with information that concerns your kid's health and safety.

Reliable sites like Consumer Reports and The American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) talk about the importance of removing bulky coats.

My desire to share this information with my community is not to shame any moms that aren't already taking these safety precautions. Instead, it's my hope that by sharing this information parents are empowered to make changes that result in their kids being safer.

When you know better, you do better.

It's as simple as that!

The safety of our children shouldn't be up for debate.

3 Solutions For Keeping Kids Warm In Carseats

Here are the best 3 options for keeping your kids warm in their car seats:

1. Fleece Jacket

Putting your kids in a snug fleece jacket is a great way to keep them warm without putting them in something that's bulky. 

2. Travel Blankets

Travel blankets are great to keep in the car year-round. They are a helpful way to wrap the kids in a warm blanket to transfer them into the car. Once in the car, they can snuggle up with the blanket to stay warm.

Cloudz Compact Travel Blanket
$11.45
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03/12/2024 08:59 am GMT

3. Over Seat Car Seat Cover

An over seat car seat cover helps to block the cold air from freezing your little one. It's a handy tool to use when transferring your kids from the house to the car.

Please note – car seat manufacturers say not to use any product in the car seat if it isn't made by the manufacturer. This is just for when the car is not in motion.

Listen to my interview with the Car Seat Lady on the Plus Mommy Podcast

Jen McLellan, CBE
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Karen

Wednesday 6th of July 2016

I wouldn't risk an expired car seat. Technically we could have gotten away with not having my kids in seats at all or either of us never wearing seat belts since none of us have been in an accident. But in the event that we were in an accident I want to know we did everything in our power to stay safe. I get what you're saying and there are some foods that I'll still eat if they're fine after the best before date, but the risk isn't nearly the same. If you want to save money then just move your baby to the convertible seat when the infant seat expires. Many can be used from birth now and ones like Clek and Diono have lifespans of around 10 years so they should make it through to the booster years.

COMama

Thursday 11th of December 2014

I get frustrated because I never know who to believe. When you go to these informational sites always always always talk about a style of car seat I do not own. So, I read the manual for the car seat. And my manual says that the car seat must be front facing if the child is one year AND 22 pounds. If the child is not restrained like this the warranty is void regardless of the type of failure. When I go to car seat websites run by DOT or talk to fire departments I am told to comply with the manufacturer's recommendations. So, who do I believe?

Alison

Thursday 5th of February 2015

If your seat doesn't RF past 22 pounds, it's time for a new seat. Most RF to 35-40 pounds. Physics are physics. They are FAR safer RF than FF.

plussizebirth

Thursday 11th of December 2014

I hear your frustration! At least with this issue all resources echo the same message - don't put your kids in their car seat wearing a winter coat.

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