Do you put a coat on DC in the carseat in the winter

jenndove

or do you use something like a bundleme?  I have a light jacket right now for Luke, but am worried it's not enough.  He has already outgrown his infant seat so I am moving him to the convertible with the bundleme.  I know he'll just be going from the car to the house so I'll just wrap him in a blanket too.  I'm just getting stressed about this winter and driving in the snow and want the kids to be safe and not have a heavy coat on with the carseat.  Bell's coat is thick and now I'm worried about that too.  Just wondering how anyone else is handling the car seat and coat thing.  Thanks:)

pincushion

I made them fleece ponchos.That way they stay warm.

It gets down to the 30's so not as cold as the north.

Temp86398625009737

I put one on, more of a LAnds End fleece that is warm, but not super thick or bulky.  It is a great fleece and the temp rating on it is pretty low. I would ony do a winter coat if I have to, if we are going somewhere and will be outside.

butterbeansmama

There are many different opinions on what is the right way and what is the wrong way on this subject. We live in Michigan as well and the winters here can get extremely cold. Yes, I put a regular coat on P when we he is in the car seat. We are able to adjust the straps on his seat while he is in it (more loose or more tight).

Reagan's Mommy

I've been wondering this too b/c Reagan's coat is fairly bulky.  I've never really seen anyone taking their kids coat on/off to get into the car, but I always see the kids in big coats, so I think a lot of people just put their kids in the seats with the coat on.

I got her a hooded fleece poncho, so we'll see.  I might just layer and then use the poncho if we are just going to/from the car, but will bring her regular coat if we are going to be outside longer.

Aside from the safety issues, I feel bad b/c she looks so smushed and hot in the big coat in her seat anyway.

KrisBriMcBunny

I put a coat on her...I did it last year.  It gets brutally cold here...its not a super bulky coat...more like a parka.  She's strapped in so tight I can barely put my finger underneath the straps.  Alot of parents of toddlers do the same thing.

Kristie

maxebook29

I live in the North East so it is cold here too. No, I don't put her winter coat on in the car. Instead, I got her a fleece coverall from LL Bean that is warm enough for running in and out of stores, but thin enough to not be a problem in the seat. I did this last winter and it worked really well. She just wore her winter coat when we were playing outside.

stcroixbride

I have been warming the car first and then removing her winter gear when we get out to the car.  I sometimes throw a blanket over DD in the car, too.

Amanda&Chris

DD has a few light jackets and a fleece jacket for in the car.  When it gets really cold I will also put a blanket over her in the car.  I have  bundle me, but plan to use it mostly for her stroller.   I also got her a puffy winter jacket, but that is more for playing outside than riding in the car.

Future Mrs. Hogan

I had a really thick hooded carseat poncho made for DD. It's fleece on the outside and then sherpa lined (I think those are the materials)... Either way it's really thick and warm! I just put that over her, run out to the car, zip it down, buckle her up and zip it back up. If she's in a mood and refuses to put on the poncho, I'll warm the car up first, put on her winter coat and take it off once we got to the car to put her in her carseat.. We're in Northern IL so it gets pretty cold up here...

Future Mrs. Hogan

I had a really thick hooded carseat poncho made for DD. It's fleece on the outside and then sherpa lined (I think those are the materials)... Either way it's really thick and warm! I just put that over her, run out to the car, zip it down, buckle her up and zip it back up. If she's in a mood and refuses to put on the poncho, I'll warm the car up first, put on her winter coat and take it off once we get to the car to put her in her carseat.. I usually have her in a fleece jacket and put a blanket over her too. We're in Northern IL so it gets pretty cold up here...

CleoKitty

Nope, never. I'll let him wear a sweater or a lightweight fleece, but if I have to loosen the straps to accommodate it then a layer has to go. I'm really, really anal about this!

I try to warm up the car first whenever possible and always have a blanket of some sort to cover the child if needed once s/he's buckled in. And really, even though it gets pretty cold here, by the time the car is warmed up and the heat is blasting, no one needs a coat in the car anyhow. When we get to our destination I just hop into the back of the van with the kids and get their coats back on them before we get out.  

 

 

eclaires

No.

It can get pretty cold here, but he only wears a fleece or a sweater in the car.  Our car is in the garage so it rarely gets super cold, but if it was, I would start it then put him in.  As far as running errands and getting in and out, usually the fleece, plus a hat is enough, but if not, I put his coat on him before I get him out of the car.  Yeah, it's kind of a hassle and can be time consuming (plus since he's a toddler it can also be a battle), but it's worth it to me to not risk having him in a carseat w/ a heavy coat on.

mikeandmonica

I ordered a fleece from Lands End that was rated from 5-20 degrees for the winter. Then I also got a wind blocking jacket for the days when it is REALLY cold. And, we use the blanket in the car. It works great for us (in MN).

Angela814

I use a non-bulky medium weight jacket.  When it gets really cold here, I will warm up the car first and put her thick winter jacket on between the car and wherever we're going.  For short trips (into daycare), I'd wrap her up in a blanket as well.  I just don't see why anyone would want to take the risk of using a bulky coat or snowsuit.