Car Seat Safe Coat

bookworm982

I know that most coats aren't safe for car seats. However, I did find an outdated list of car seat safe coats. With 3u3 in a bitterly cold part of New England, I'd really like to find safe coats for my two toddlers (size 18 month and 4T) so that we don't have to put coats on and off every time we get in and out of the cold. (I'll just bundle the new baby in blankets over the harness in the infant seat.) Does anyone have any idea what coats are safe and available to purchase right now? We've had some days in the 50s recently, so I'm guessing we'll have snow sometime soon and have to upgrade from jackets to coats. Any tips on where to shop (especially online) would be super helpful.

kmc84

This gets a stamp of approval on CSFTLs:

https://www.cozywoggle.com/

If you don't like that, look for something one layer fleece with a wind proof layer. The way you test a coat to see if it's car seat safe is to strap your child in wearing the coat and tighten appropriately, then unbuckle *without loosening the straps*, remove the coat and re buckle the harness. If there is enough slack that you can pinch the harness at the collarbone, then the coat is too thick to use safely.

bookworm982

I don't like the cozywooggle idea. I want something that allows my toddlers to climb in the car seats and get half buckled by themselves. (I check the chest clip and then do the lower buckle for my 2 year old.) We live in a rural NH, so I'm 1.5 hours from decent shopping. I was hoping to order online and get something safe on the first try.

dogperson11

Micro fleece is generally a safe bet. Old Navy or Columbia have good options. If your kids are old enough to climb into their seats and do their chest clips are they old enough to remove a coat on their own? Put on coat, walk to car, lift kid(s) into vehicle, by the time you get baby situated the older one(s) can take off the coat and sit in their seat(s)?

Lauradi1010

What about the bundle me items?  Living in upstate NY I seem to see those a lot. 

https://www.buybuybaby.com/store/product/jj-cole-reg-infant-original-bundleme-reg/125660

https://www.buybuybaby.com/store/product/jj-cole-reg-infant-bundleme-reg-arctic/121151?Keyword=bundle+me

Lauradi1010

Thanks for the info. I thought all the bundle me's just capped the car seat to keep the child warm.  I had no idea that they sat between the child's back and car seat. 

LittleApple

Lauradi1010 said:

Thanks for the info. I thought all the bundle me's just capped the car seat to keep the child warm.  I had no idea that they sat between the child's back and car seat. 

JJ Cole recently did come out with a cap style that is safe to use. 

https://www.target.com/p/jj-cole-car-seat-cover/-/A-13065415?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=google_pla_df&LNM=13065415&CPNG=Baby&kpid=13065415&LID=9pgs&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=13065415&kpid=13065415&gclid=CI38ssSC_8ACFc1_MgodIhAAww

Katie829

LittleApple said:

Lauradi1010 said:

Thanks for the info. I thought all the bundle me's just capped the car seat to keep the child warm.  I had no idea that they sat between the child's back and car seat. 

JJ Cole recently did come out with a cap style that is safe to use. 

https://www.target.com/p/jj-cole-car-seat-cover/-/A-13065415?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=google_pla_df&LNM=13065415&CPNG=Baby&kpid=13065415&LID=9pgs&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=13065415&kpid=13065415&gclid=CI38ssSC_8ACFc1_MgodIhAAww

I used this one when DD was in the infant seat. Worked the best.

We used Columbia fleeces. We live in rural MA and I put her in. If she is going to stay outside she has her winter coat but a walk in and out of the car to home/store they are fine.

gimmietimmies

Or if it gets particularly cold, pair the fleece hoody with a fleece poncho. Poncho just drapes over the car seat like the shower cap covers. I did that the last two winters in a much colder climate than yours with no issue. We've also been doing just fleece with hat and mitts for years, and carrying our winter coats. I never used infant seats with my oldest 4.

bookworm982

Katie829 said:

Lauradi1010 said:

Thanks for the info. I thought all the bundle me's just capped the car seat to keep the child warm.  I had no idea that they sat between the child's back and car seat. 

JJ Cole recently did come out with a cap style that is safe to use. 

https://www.target.com/p/jj-cole-car-seat-cover/-/A-13065415?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=google_pla_df&LNM=13065415&CPNG=Baby&kpid=13065415&LID=9pgs&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=13065415&kpid=13065415&gclid=CI38ssSC_8ACFc1_MgodIhAAww

I used this one when DD was in the infant seat. Worked the best. We used Columbia fleeces. We live in rural MA and I put her in. If she is going to stay outside she has her winter coat but a walk in and out of the car to home/store they are fine.

It sounds like I need to find some Columbia fleeces. When the new LO comes, DD will be 31 months and DS will be 18 months, and I cannot imagine putting coats on and off of them in the snow every time I take all three out alone. I had the same idea of having a warmer winter coat for playing in the snow, but fleece sounds perfect for getting between buildings and the car quickly.

I always knew this board existed, but it's the first time I've asked a question. Thank you for being extremely helpful very quickly.

smashbaby111

What about uniqlo coats? Not sure how small the children's line goes but I have one of these and the down keeps you warm but is compressible and super thin... I would suspect that this would not att any bulk whatsoever... I know my winter coat from uniqlo is significantly thinner than my North face fleece jacket... Just a thought....

erinrae1011

I saw this week that Summer Infant has a new Car Seat Coat.  I am looking into that for my boys.