winter coat + car seats?

[angelsnight]

By now I am sure everyone has heard that you shouldn't put your LO in a car seat with a winter coat on, because it can compress in an accident and the straps will be too loose.

But can someone point me to a crash test video where the dummy wearing the winter coat is actually strapped in correctly?  All of the ones I have seen, the dummy without the coat is strapped in tight, with the chest clip at armpit level.  They even make a point to show how well he is strapped in.

But then the dummy wearing the winter coat is glossed over as far as showing how he is strapped in, some videos are shot from the side so you cannot see how they're strapped, or you can tell the chest clip is down at their tummy and/or the straps are visibly way too loose and almost hanging off their shoulders.

So it makes me wonder...if they have to alter how the dummy with the coat on is strapped in, to get the results of the kid flying out of the car seat, then is it really unsafe to wear a coat in a car seat?  And if it isn't true, why on earth is there so much talk about it?  What is there to gain by telling parents this is unsafe?  Just giving parents one more thing to judge each other on, and scare people with?  To sell special "car seat safe" coats?  Why would pediatricians and news casters all go along with these fudged simulations?

Now, I can see how a SUPER puffy coat could compress too much, like the ones that make you look like the Michelin Man.  But all of E's coats, while bigger than without of course, can still be tightened and she looks completely secure.  

[Deleted]

Not sure about videos but I made a car seat poncho that works great. She stays super warm and it comes up over the belts so it doesn't interfere with the way she is strapped in.

[bsouls]

We strapped T in the car seat last winter with her coat on. It was a slender parka. She's still rear facing. We loosen and tighten the car seat straps every time we put her in it to get the best fit. So, I'm pretty comfortable with leaving her coat on for short distances - long distances she would probably get too hot.

[pearlvirus]

That is a great question. Last year I removed the coat before strapping her in, as instructed... But I did not do any research to figure out if that was truly necessary. I don't always remove my own coat! It's no big deal to throw a blanket on them while driving but damn it is a pain to get them out of the seat and into a coat once you arrive somewhere. This was actually a big part of our selection of a minivan with 2nd row captions chair. I can get everyone set before I open the doors and let the blizzard in!

[angelsnight]

Sept 23, 2016 20:29:39 GMT -5 bsouls said:

We strapped T in the car seat last winter with her coat on. It was a slender parka. She's still rear facing. We loosen and tighten the car seat straps every time we put her in it to get the best fit. So, I'm pretty comfortable with leaving her coat on for short distances - long distances she would probably get too hot.

This is what we do too...loosen the straps to get it on, then tighten them again.  

[angelsnight]

Sept 25, 2016 21:10:36 GMT -5 pearlvirus said:

That is a great question. Last year I removed the coat before strapping her in, as instructed... But I did not do any research to figure out if that was truly necessary. I don't always remove my own coat! It's no big deal to throw a blanket on them while driving but damn it is a pain to get them out of the seat and into a coat once you arrive somewhere. This was actually a big part of our selection of a minivan with 2nd row captions chair. I can get everyone set before I open the doors and let the blizzard in!

Yes, especially if you have to make multiple stops.  Not that my child's life isn't worth convenience, but Michigan can get pretty cold and I can't imagine having to get out of the car at all these stops without a coat, and I'm an adult.  It must be ten times worse for a cranky little who doesn't understand why mommy isn't letting her be warm.

I'd take it more seriously if they could show better proof.  It just doesn't make sense why they would have to alter the test, if it really was dangerous.  I guess I'll just do what I think is best depending on what coat she has on.  I did get her a Cozywoggle (it unzips on the sides so you can buckle underneath the coat)but last year she didn't like it being on like a poncho and just chucked it off in the car.  Maybe she'll do better with it this year.

[angelsnight]

Sept 23, 2016 15:54:13 GMT -5 @babylentilbean said:

Not sure about videos but I made a car seat poncho that works great. She stays super warm and it comes up over the belts so it doesn't interfere with the way she is strapped in.

So is that what she wears once outside the car too, the poncho?  Or do you then put a coat on her?

[Deleted]

Sept 26, 2016 0:36:54 GMT -5 angelsnight said:

Sept 23, 2016 15:54:13 GMT -5 @babylentilbean said:

Not sure about videos but I made a car seat poncho that works great. She stays super warm and it comes up over the belts so it doesn't interfere with the way she is strapped in.

So is that what she wears once outside the car too, the poncho?  Or do you then put a coat on her?

It's warm enough that she is fine without a coat. I used fleece blankets and followed a pattern from Pinterest. It took me half an hour to make and only cost me $12.

[zandeela]

luckily in Texas we don't have to deal with the cold like you guys up north. but, I have always strapped her in with her coat on. I will take it off for a long ride, but to/from daycare and running errands she has it on. But most of our jackets are not that thick.

If they have to alter the test to get the result they want, I would not trust it. It may be a CYA thing, like "Caution, Coffee HOT". I would bet someone's child got hurt and they blamed it on the coat with the car seat people not telling them it was dangerous. Most likely parent error than not. I have just started doing what I feel is right, keeps DD safe, and is within the law.

[younglove316]

I picked up a Northface off our local bst that worked perfect as it wasn't overly thick but kept her warm. She's outgrown it now so I'll just do a fleece zip up and a hat for going to the car. If we are going to be out in the cold I'll just bring layers for when we get out.

[angelsnight]

Sept 27, 2016 9:17:23 GMT -5 zandeela said:

If they have to alter the test to get the result they want, I would not trust it. It may be a CYA thing, like "Caution, Coffee HOT". I would bet someone's child got hurt and they blamed it on the coat with the car seat people not telling them it was dangerous. Most likely parent error than not. I have just started doing what I feel is right, keeps DD safe, and is within the law.

That makes sense.  It COULD interfere, combined with the fact that said kid probably wasn't strapped in correctly to begin with, so they have to cover their asses.