s/o for car seat "nuts"

Birdies08 · October 2011

We have a big puffy jacket debate going on over here. MH and my mom think it's over the top to avoid having LO wear them in her car seat. We've watched videos about how loose it makes the straps, but MH just doesn't think it is that big of a deal with a 5 point system. My mom worries we won't be able to keep her warm enough (it can get dangerously cold here, although I'm sure we'll avoid taking her out in that weather).

So, what say you? Would I be a "nut" for insisting on it or do you think there's no leniency on the issue?

fabbate13 · October 2011

I don't even put a thin jacket on Nora when she's strapped in.

A hat and a blanket would be my solution.

magdalina.h · October 2011

I wouldn't do it. I would put a thick blanket over his lap (over the harness) and crank the heat up before I would put him in a puffy jacket

Emie28 · October 2011

For me there is no leniency. We try to always warm the car for at least 10 minutes before we leave, take him out either in this coat or wrapped in blankets and then put him in his carseat and put 2 or three blankets on him.

My dh's family think I'm crazy when it comes to that stuff, but I don't care. I would rather be seen as a nut than to take risks that are avoidable.

krate24 · October 2011

No jackets. When Nibs was in the carrier seat, I would put a blanket over her when we went out. She'll be in the convertible for this winter, and I plan to let her wear a jacket to the car, then take it off to buckle her in. Whenever possible we always warm up the car before bringing her in there anyway, so it's usually quite temperate in there.

Alex17 · October 2011

So they realize the dangers and just don't care? wtf.

I wouldn't do it. Warm the car up before, or a hat and blankets over her in the car.

Birdies08 · October 2011

Well, you make me feel like I'm not alone in insisting, at least. I don't really care if people think I'm a nut for this, I'm sure they do about plenty of other things, I was just curious what others here thought.

I feel like like blankets will be fine.

TheOriginalSP · October 2011

softskate31:
But for older kids who aren't in baby seats anymore...how do you get from say the grocery store to the car in 10 degree weather and then put a toddler into the cold cold car&carseat without her freezing? Should I really undress my kid in 10 degree weather in a parking lot and put her in a cold car, only to cover her with cold blankets too? Im not trying to be snarky...but I really don't know what is better...exposed skin freezing or a layer of coat between straps and child. There's got to be an answer. I don't plan on buying the fluffiest coat out there, but its MN for crap sake...it gets cold here and I don't have a garage or remote start to get my car pre-warmed.

I struggle with this too. Especially when the wind chill is below freezing and we HAVE to go out of the house. (grocery store, doctor's appointments, etc). We have coats on the girls, but they aren't fluffy. And we try to layer more than anything. Long sleeve shirt, sweater, fleece, etc. We also have blankets in the car. I don't have a remote start either so when we spend 30 mins in the grocery store and come back out to the car, it's cold!

sevans1975 · October 2011

TheOriginalSP:

softskate31:
But for older kids who aren't in baby seats anymore...how do you get from say the grocery store to the car in 10 degree weather and then put a toddler into the cold cold car&carseat without her freezing? Should I really undress my kid in 10 degree weather in a parking lot and put her in a cold car, only to cover her with cold blankets too? Im not trying to be snarky...but I really don't know what is better...exposed skin freezing or a layer of coat between straps and child. There's got to be an answer. I don't plan on buying the fluffiest coat out there, but its MN for crap sake...it gets cold here and I don't have a garage or remote start to get my car pre-warmed.

I struggle with this too. Especially when the wind chill is below freezing and we HAVE to go out of the house. (grocery store, doctor's appointments, etc). We have coats on the girls, but they aren't fluffy. And we try to layer more than anything. Long sleeve shirt, sweater, fleece, etc. We also have blankets in the car. I don't have a remote start either so when we spend 30 mins in the grocery store and come back out to the car, it's cold!

I cannot for the life of me remember the name of the fleece poncho thing I have for DD for this very purpose. I will find the name on it (I ordered it online last year) and post tomorrow. DH doesn't like it because he says it is "dumb", but it kept her nice & toasty & safely buckled last year and it will work for this year, too.

I've tried googling and I'm just not finding exactly what I am looking for.