Some unsolicited advice about the Bundle Me

AfterAll · November 2011

I noticed a lot of people talking about getting Bundle Mes so I just wanted to interject an unsolicited, and probably unwanted PSA

They are NOT approved for use with the carseat, not crash tested with the seat, and may void the warranty of your carseat godforbid something happens. On that note, the Bundle Me, toys that hang from the handle bars, strap covers, head supports, mats for under the seat, mirrors that strap to the back of the seat, etc., are all considered after market products, have not been crash tested with the seat and may void the warranty as well.

My DH is a CPST-I.... carseat tech instructor. He goes to conferences, wins awards, runs a carseat checkpoint, writes curriculum, and certifies the techs who install your seats, so take my perspective for what it's worth. This is after years of listening to him ramble on about carseat stuff.

I wanted a Bundle Me and toys and a mirror too and was frustrated that he would not let me have one, but once we explained what could happen I realized it wasn't worth it for me. At the end of the day, it is your kid and your decision... just wanted to put this out there. If you have any questions, let me know and I will ask him

kcvasquez · November 2011

You should also tell people that coats and snowsuits are also not okay for a child to wear in a car seat. Car seats are tested with children wearing at the thickest a fleece shirt.

I've said it before, but personally living in an environment where the temperature get's down to -70 degrees, the chances of my child getting frost bite is higher than me getting into a life threatening accident, so using the Bundle Me is worth the risks. Would I use it if I were living in Texas? No. Nothing is technically safe to use in a car seat, even a blanket over the child could cause suffocation. I'm not trying to be rude, but different things work for different people....

SoonToBeMsP · November 2011

Agreed that it's a personal decision.

For me, there are enough other options (shower cap style, for example) that I don't find the Bundle Me to be necessary. I am sure it's not tested either, but I hope it's "better", just in case something horrible happens.

AfterAll · November 2011

kcvasquez:

You should also tell people that coats and snowsuits are also not okay for a child to wear in a car seat. Car seats are tested with children wearing at the thickest a fleece shirt.

I've said it before, but personally living in an environment where the temperature get's down to -70 degrees, the chances of my child getting frost bite is higher than me getting into a life threatening accident, so using the Bundle Me is worth the risks. Would I use it if I were living in Texas? No. Nothing is technically safe to use in a car seat, even a blanket over the child could cause suffocation. I'm not trying to be rude, but different things work for different people....

I wasn't trying to be rude either... like I said, your kid, your decision... you have to do what works best for you and your family... I just think a lot of first time mothers are unaware of this so I wanted to let them know And yes, you are right about jackets.

Sundrup23 · November 2011

I do understand where you are coming from...but I find it interesting that you say they aren't tested....

https://jjcolecollections.com/quality-and-safety

It does say they comply with the safety standards test for car seats.

I will be using mine...to each their own. I too live in a climate where freezing cold winters are a much higher risk to me than using my bundle me. I have used it with my other children and will use it with this one too.

blandbaby2012 · November 2011

I was also told that these are aftermarket and will void your carseat warranty, However most of them are tested and proved safe, but the problem comes from the manufacturer of the carseat itself not the aftermarket items. If you have a Graco carseat and you are in an accident and god forbid something happens and your carseat fails the manufacturer will do nothing if you use any aftermarket products and that includes leaving a jacket or coat on while in the carseat. The bundle me is easy to take off and is fine if you have your baby in the stroller or carrying it around etc... but should not be used while in the carseat base and driving. This goes for anything that does not come with the carseat. Thank you for your PSA I always appreciate getting info regarding the safety of my baby and i never think that it is unwanted or rude.

AfterAll · November 2011

Sundrup23:

I do understand where you are coming from...but I find it interesting that you say they aren't tested....

https://jjcolecollections.com/quality-and-safety

It does say they comply with the safety standards test for car seats.

I will be using mine...to each their own. I too live in a climate where freezing cold winters are a much higher risk to me than using my bundle me. I have used it with my other children and will use it with this one too.

Those requirements don't speak to flammability, labeling, suffocation, and a whole host of other things. That standard that it is tested to doesn't mean much...

MAMAxB · November 2011

kcvasquez:
I've said it before, but personally living in an environment where the temperature get's down to -70 degrees, the chances of my child getting frost bite is higher than me getting into a life threatening accident, so using the Bundle Me is worth the risks. Would I use it if I were living in Texas? No. Nothing is technically safe to use in a car seat, even a blanket over the child could cause suffocation. I'm not trying to be rude, but different things work for different people....

All of this!

But thanks for the reminder OP!

MsMom1 · November 2011

AfterAll:
I noticed a lot of people talking about getting Bundle Mes so I just wanted to interject an unsolicited, and probably unwanted PSA

They are NOT approved for use with the carseat, not crash tested with the seat, and may void the warranty of your carseat godforbid something happens. On that note, the Bundle Me, toys that hang from the handle bars, strap covers, head supports, mats for under the seat, mirrors that strap to the back of the seat, etc., are all considered after market products, have not been crash tested with the seat and may void the warranty as well.

My DH is a CPST-I.... carseat tech instructor. He goes to conferences, wins awards, runs a carseat checkpoint, writes curriculum, and certifies the techs who install your seats, so take my perspective for what it's worth. This is after years of listening to him ramble on about carseat stuff.

I wanted a Bundle Me and toys and a mirror too and was frustrated that he would not let me have one, but once we explained what could happen I realized it wasn't worth it for me. At the end of the day, it is your kid and your decision... just wanted to put this out there. If you have any questions, let me know and I will ask him

I agree.

I have heard over and over from car seat techs that they are incredibly dangerous. Car seat safety is not something to take lightly. There are plenty of other not-so-trendy, but safer options out there. Take it from a mom whose LO has been in an accident in the winter, and because she was strapped properly into her seat without a jacket or other bulky blanket in the way, she was able to be carried away safely from the scene.

SmittyPants · November 2011

MsMom1:
AfterAll:
I noticed a lot of people talking about getting Bundle Mes so I just wanted to interject an unsolicited, and probably unwanted PSA

They are NOT approved for use with the carseat, not crash tested with the seat, and may void the warranty of your carseat godforbid something happens. On that note, the Bundle Me, toys that hang from the handle bars, strap covers, head supports, mats for under the seat, mirrors that strap to the back of the seat, etc., are all considered after market products, have not been crash tested with the seat and may void the warranty as well.

My DH is a CPST-I.... carseat tech instructor. He goes to conferences, wins awards, runs a carseat checkpoint, writes curriculum, and certifies the techs who install your seats, so take my perspective for what it's worth. This is after years of listening to him ramble on about carseat stuff.

I wanted a Bundle Me and toys and a mirror too and was frustrated that he would not let me have one, but once we explained what could happen I realized it wasn't worth it for me. At the end of the day, it is your kid and your decision... just wanted to put this out there. If you have any questions, let me know and I will ask him
I agree.
I have heard over and over from car seat techs that they are incredibly dangerous. Car seat safety is not something to take lightly. There are plenty of other not-so-trendy, but safer options out there. Take it from a mom whose LO has been in an accident in the winter, and because she was strapped properly into her seat without a jacket or other bulky blanket in the way, she was able to be carried away safely from the scene.

What are the other, not-so-trendy options?

Jolaine83 · November 2011

Just a question for clarification OP, you mentioned head supports in your list of "after market" add-ons.

Are you including the removable head supports that are included as part of the carseat? I have been operating under the assumption that if it came with the carseat's original purchase, it was considered safe to use.

Or are you referring to the add on head supports (like JJ Cole brand ones) that are purchased in addition to what comes with a carseat?

Otherwise, everyone who is in the very cold climates, have you considered the shower-cap style covers that can be removed after putting the carseat in the car as an alternative to the Bundle Me type covers?

I'm in Iowa, so while it can get to the -30s here with windchill, I know there are much colder climates out there. With my son, I alternated between a blanket draped over the handle and tucked in around him and a shower-cap style cover which I removed after snapping his seat in and placed back over the seat prior to getting out of the car. It takes an extra step, but if you have concerns about what the OP is warning about, it would be worth that extra step.

I think we all make decisions everyday that affect the safety of our little ones. None of those decisions are made lightly. I think as long as you know the risks of both sides and you make an informed decision that is best for your family, you are doing exactly what you need to do.

Thinkerbelle80 · November 2011

what about a mirror that attaches to the car headrest, not the car seat itself? Because really how are you supposed to know if your baby is ok if they are backwards facing and you can't see them in the rearview mirror?

emmasue18 · November 2011

While I really appreciate any advice on safety, our pediatrician said they are crash tested and gave us the go ahead. As far as flammable, how are they any more flammable then the one that goes over the entire seat? As far as suffocation, that IS what the mirrors are for. I cannot tell you how many times my child spit up and was gagging to where I had to pull over and help him. I wouldn't have known this if I didn't have the mirror--he was practically silent. I would be FAR more worried about that then a product that is tested for safety and cleared by my pediatrician. I would re-think the mirror purchase.

Also, I tried to find any news article at all where a child died from using the BundleMe. I am not saying it hasn't happened, but Google crib deaths. They happen all the time---are you not going to use a crib? Everyone thinks their crib is safe until something happens and it gets recalled. What about harmful bacteria caused by your humidifier, that can cause allergic reactions and asthma. And don't forget to throw out your Johnson and Johnson products---or did you not hear those can cause cancer now?

I am just saying there is danger every where, we can't drop everything and hide. So you expect me to put my child in what to go out into the snow in the middle of winter? Just my two cents.

kes487 · November 2011

Wait, I'm sorry, but where do people live where the temperature gets to -70 degrees?!!!

AfterAll · November 2011

Okay, let me answer all of your questions. I am not sure why people get so defensive about this issue. It is what it is. We all take the advice and guidelines that are reccomended and given and we do what is best for our families. I am not a know it all... just trying to pass along info from my husband that has been drilled into my head over the past number of years. I just know that there are a lot of first time moms that may be unaware, so I wanted to let them know. In any case...

Jolaine83 by head supports, I meant the ones that you buy seperately that do not come with the seat itself. The ones put in by Graco and Chicco and whatnot have been crash tested wtih the seat and are fine. They don't do much anyhow. They keep your kid's head from bobbing to the side but do not keep them from slumping forward.

Thinkerbel... the mirror could come loose in a crash and become a projectile. My husband has a video he shows in his carseat class where the car crashes and the mirror (which claims to have been crash tested under the same standards as the Bundle Me) comes off and smashes through the windshield. I never had a mirror with my son. If they are choking, you will hear them. If you are worried becasue it is too quiet, pull over and physically check.. I did that several times. Watching your kid in a mirror while you are driving is not safe any way.. it is just another distraction while you should be focusing on the road.

emmasue18... to put this as bluntly as possible.. your pediatrician is wrong. 99% of the time they are not certified carseat techs and do not have the most up to date information. I am sure he is a nice person and a good pediatrician, but they are not the be all and end all of up to date carseat safety info. If my pedi was not a surgeon I would not trust him to do surgery, and if he was not a carseat tech, I would not take carseat advice from him.. KWIM? Mine told me to turn my son FF at 1 year because he was over the 20lb suggested limit at the time, but that was not the reccomendation and it was changed to 2 years right after that anyway.

Any after market product likely does not meet the flammability standard that your seat meets because it is not tested with the seat it does not HAVE to meet those standards. The standards that these things are being tested to are not teh same crash test standards your seat meets. The mirror, I addressed above, so you can see my answer about that. As far as what I did, I took my son out in heavy clothes, a fleece bunting, a hat and blankets when he was tiny and it was freezing outside.. and I did my best to warm up the car first when I could. That was my personal preference.. I also had a sweaty kid, so that is what worked for us. Not saying I am right... I am just answering your rhetorical question.

The fact of the matter is that sometimes the "way things used to be" was fine. Our parents did not have mirrors, or carseat covers, and we made it to adulthood.

Listen, again... I am not trying to be rude... jsut trying to pass along information that I know is correct. For those that live where it gets to 70 below... the BundleMe won't prevent your kid from getting frostbite anymore than dressing him warmly and putting a blanket on him would. It will cut down on the wind, for sure, but a blanket draped over the top would do that too.

At the end of the day, we all make decisions about the safety of our children and do what is best for our families. I am certainly not a saint who has abided by every rule and guideline out there. Sometimes as mothers, we know more than guidelines and suggestions... jsut putting this out there to educate those who were unaware.

MrsKujawski · November 2011

emmasue18:
While I really appreciate any advice on safety, our pediatrician said they are crash tested and gave us the go ahead. As far as flammable, how are they any more flammable then the one that goes over the entire seat? As far as suffocation, that IS what the mirrors are for. I cannot tell you how many times my child spit up and was gagging to where I had to pull over and help him. I wouldn't have known this if I didn't have the mirror--he was practically silent. I would be FAR more worried about that then a product that is tested for safety and cleared by my pediatrician. I would re-think the mirror purchase.

Also, I tried to find any news article at all where a child died from using the BundleMe. I am not saying it hasn't happened, but Google crib deaths. They happen all the time---are you not going to use a crib? Everyone thinks their crib is safe until something happens and it gets recalled. What about harmful bacteria caused by your humidifier, that can cause allergic reactions and asthma. And don't forget to throw out your Johnson and Johnson products---or did you not hear those can cause cancer now?

I am just saying there is danger every where, we can't drop everything and hide. So you expect me to put my child in what to go out into the snow in the middle of winter? Just my two cents.

Everything that's bolded. Honestly... crap happens every day... things get recalled, accidents happen, etc. What are the odds that I'm going to be in an accident with LO in his car seat with the bundle me? Who knows... but I know him being outside in negative temperature is DEF going to happen almost every day.

It's common sense... if you feel safe using it, then use it. If not, then don't. I have heard nothing but amazing things about the bundle me from doctors, nurses, family members, online reviews, etc. so I will be using mine (as it also gets well into the negatives here).

blandbaby2012 · November 2011

I Just want to say that these products are not dangerous they are not harmful, however they void the carseat warranty if in use and you are in an accident. These products are perfectly safe to use when not driving, however if you are in an accident and something is to happen to the little one the manufactuer will not help in any way if you use any after market products at the time of the accident.

Sundrup23 · November 2011

MrsKujawski:
emmasue18:
While I really appreciate any advice on safety, our pediatrician said they are crash tested and gave us the go ahead. As far as flammable, how are they any more flammable then the one that goes over the entire seat? As far as suffocation, that IS what the mirrors are for. I cannot tell you how many times my child spit up and was gagging to where I had to pull over and help him. I wouldn't have known this if I didn't have the mirror--he was practically silent. I would be FAR more worried about that then a product that is tested for safety and cleared by my pediatrician. I would re-think the mirror purchase.

Also, I tried to find any news article at all where a child died from using the BundleMe. I am not saying it hasn't happened, but Google crib deaths. They happen all the time---are you not going to use a crib? Everyone thinks their crib is safe until something happens and it gets recalled. What about harmful bacteria caused by your humidifier, that can cause allergic reactions and asthma. And don't forget to throw out your Johnson and Johnson products---or did you not hear those can cause cancer now?

I am just saying there is danger every where, we can't drop everything and hide. So you expect me to put my child in what to go out into the snow in the middle of winter? Just my two cents.
Everything that's bolded. Honestly... crap happens every day... things get recalled, accidents happen, etc. What are the odds that I'm going to be in an accident with LO in his car seat with the bundle me? Who knows... but I know him being outside in negative temperature is DEF going to happen almost every day.
It's common sense... if you feel safe using it, then use it. If not, then don't. I have heard nothing but amazing things about the bundle me from doctors, nurses, family members, online reviews, etc. so I will be using mine (as it also gets well into the negatives here).

I agree...to each their own. There are tons of products out there that are recalled everyday. I used BPA bottles with my first 2 children...oh my gosh!! I used Johnson and Johnson products with my first 2..oh my gosh. I used a drop side crib with my first 2...oh my gosh.

It is common sense with most things we use with our children. Nothing is COMPLETELY safe. Their are recommendations about when to use products and how to use them and so forth. If we can't take personal responsibility for our actions when using any product with our children then this world is in deep doo doo. We are sue happy. EVERYTHING has to have a warning label or recommended age or whatever on it now days. I bet all of us will be using a product that eventually gets recalled because of some sort of hazard to our children. It is unavoidable.

How can any manufacturer be sure we use all things to their standards anyways.

AfterAll · November 2011

I cannot beleive how many views this post has. It is not even all that interesting.

Andreaw1124 · November 2011

Thinkerbelle80:what about a mirror that attaches to the car headrest, not the car seat itself? Because really how are you supposed to know if your baby is ok if they are backwards facing and you can't see them in the rearview mirror?

Just throwing in a little something I learned from our inspector about the rearview mirrors that are often fastened to the seat of the car that act as a rear-view mirror...

Ours told us these are EXTREMELY dangerous, as if you are looking in that mirror watching what your baby is doing...you do not have your eyes on the road in front of you and what is going on that you should be paying attention to (same thing with texting on your phone) and that this is far more dangerous than not being able to keep a constant eye on your baby riding backwards. As the OP mentioned...if you need to, pull over and stop the car.

firegirle1 · November 2011

OP. I never new any of this. I will do my own research and decide but you gave me things to think about.

FWIW I did not find your post rude at all. It was an FYSA and we can do with it what we will.

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