Car Seat Safety this winter

Boo · #1 December 6th, 2009, 11:43 AM

Some of you may already be aware of what I'm going to share from reading the Car Seat Safety board here on JM (I've seen some of you post there over the last little while

) but I think this is very important information that most are not aware of--including me before I started participating in the CCS forum.

First things first, all aftermarket products (meaning anything that was not sold with your car seat) are a hazard. Anything that goes between the baby and the car seat, like those Bundle Me winter covers, add more padding behind the between the baby & car seat and it was not crash tested with it. Same goes for all aftermarket products: they were not crash tested with these products and therefore no one can say what may happen in an accident. Bottom line is your car seat may not do its job 100% in protecting your LO in the event of a crash.
So, anything aftermarket: covers that go between the baby & seat, the snuzzler for newborns, toys that strap onto the seat or handle, shoulder pads that were not sold with the seat or from the manufacturer specifically for your seat (like buying replacements from Graco or something like that), etc, are all unsafe!

Now, if you want some kind of cover for your seat to keep your LO out of the wind/cold this winter and he/she is still in an infant carrier, you can look into something like this that basically covers the outer shell like a shower cap and does not interfere with your child's safety.

Winter coats are the biggie! Bulky winter coats & snowsuits are very unsafe for your child to wear while strapped in his/her car seat. Here is a great thread I urge you all to read. I just purchased this polar fleece jacket for Christian for our trip up North this Christmas. I haven't received it yet but it was recommended on the CSS board. They also make one for girls. Columbia makes them for babies & toddlers.
Here is a youtube video that may help you as well.

So, how do you keep your babies warm this winter? polar fleece jackets/suits that are not bulky, car seat ponchos (shower cap-like covers), blankets, and strapping your LO in and putting his/her coat on backwards.

If anyone has any questions, don't hesitate to ask here or head over to the Car Seat Safety board. There is a great group of women over there that are very welcoming and extremely helpful!

and this ends my PSA for the day.

*Mommy2Camden* · #2 December 6th, 2009, 11:49 AM

What a great post! I really appreciate you sharing this info. I honestly didn't know there was a Carseat safety board. I'm gonna go check it out right now. Thanks again!!!

Christine-MA · #3 December 6th, 2009, 11:51 AM

Great post! I read that board often, but know I knew nothing about this a year ago, so it's great information to share with people. I know people in my DDC were just talking about the Bundle Me's and many didn't know why they aren't recommended (and some hospitals won't let you use them when you're discharged).

samspain · #4 December 6th, 2009, 12:29 PM

Theres a commercial on TV here that recommends you to put your child in their seat with their winter coat on and then take them out without slackening the harness, then put them back in without the coat and you�ll see the extra slack the harness has, in an accident the coat compresses and the child is thrown forward that much. It was about 2 inches on Ana�s seat.

Boo · #5 December 6th, 2009, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samspain

Theres a commercial on TV here that recommends you to put your child in their seat with their winter coat on and then take them out without slackening the harness, then put them back in without the coat and you�ll see the extra slack the harness has, in an accident the coat compresses and the child is thrown forward that much. It was about 2 inches on Ana�s seat.

Exactly and with a rear-facing child, the impact of a crash could be enough to actually eject the child from his/her car seat due to the extra slack in the harness.

BabyBird · #6 December 6th, 2009, 01:44 PM

Great info Karly! Thanks!!

Sam914 · #7 December 6th, 2009, 01:51 PM

Dh has always insisted we take my step daughters jacket off when we put her in her car seat... everyone always looked at us like we were crazy! I think a lot of people don't realize that one.

MommaLee · #8 December 6th, 2009, 04:03 PM

Great thread Karly. The company I work for does projects on child safety seats, including proper usage. I've been amazed how much I've learned from my work...and it's interesting to see that a majority of parents are uninformed.

~April04~ · #9 December 6th, 2009, 04:13 PM

Great thread! Thanks for posting!

lttle_one · #10 December 6th, 2009, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samspain

Theres a commercial on TV here that recommends you to put your child in their seat with their winter coat on and then take them out without slackening the harness, then put them back in without the coat and you�ll see the extra slack the harness has, in an accident the coat compresses and the child is thrown forward that much. It was about 2 inches on Ana�s seat.

I really wish they would air commercials like that here in the States! So many people just don't know, or think I don't know what I'm talking about when I try to explain why most winter jackets are unsafe.

KCMomma · #11 December 6th, 2009, 05:32 PM

This is such great information karly! Thank you so much for the info!!

Elijah'sMommy · #12 December 6th, 2009, 06:20 PM

Thanks for the info!!!

courtneytcu98 · #13 December 6th, 2009, 06:30 PM

Thanks for the info, Karly. We have been using blankets over E in his seat and you have just confirmed my decision.

::MummyToTwo:: · #14 December 6th, 2009, 07:50 PM

Thanks for posting Karly!

Lauren S · #15 December 7th, 2009, 06:49 AM

Thanks for sharing this! We have been doing blankets over Brady in his seat, but it's starting to get really cold here.

So those polar fleece one piece suits are okay to wear under the car seat harnesses? If so, I think I'll order one of those because we're moving him into his convertible seat soon.

Lo_and_Behold · #16 December 7th, 2009, 09:08 AM

Great information..TFS!

amazing_love · #17 December 7th, 2009, 09:41 AM

Thank you for posting this! I had absolutely no idea and am so glad i know about this now! I'll probably look into getting one of the ponchos for my baby next year. I'll have to pass this info on

Boo · #18 December 7th, 2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lauren S

So those polar fleece one piece suits are okay to wear under the car seat harnesses? If so, I think I'll order one of those because we're moving him into his convertible seat soon.

It should be fine. Polar fleece is thin enough not to compromise the harness and very very warm. If you're not sure if it's safe, buy one and put him in it and then in his car seat. Tighten the straps like you're going for a drive and then take him out of the car seat without loosening the straps. Take the fleece suit off and strap him back in his car seat but don't tighten the harness. If the harness is still tight and there is no slack, you're good.

I'm so glad I decided to post this. I find it sad that car seat safety is not a widely known subject. It should be a class parents take before they have their babies, like a birthing class.