For those with JJ Cole BundleMe Infant - They're Safe!

rainedrops117 · October 2012

...at least according to their site.

There's been talk on here that the Infant JJ Cole BundleMe car seat covers are not safe. I received both the stroller and infant car seat BundleMe and was getting ready to return the infant but then went on their site and found that they are tested and safe.

See link: JJ Cole Safety https://jjcolecollections.com/quality-and-safety

Was wondering where info citing they weren't safe?? I think they're great - but safety first of course.

kellyrn9956 · October 2012

The bottom line is that there should be nothing between the baby and the car seat. Period. This one is acceptable.

https://jjcolecollections.com/car-seat-cover

I wouldn't go by the company's testimony that their product is safe. Of course it's been tested. But have they been tested with every single car seat out there? The current recommendation is nothing between baby and car seat. It's not worth the risk when you can buy a cover that puts nothing between baby and car seat. I also understand that using anything that doesn't come with the seat voids its warranty.

This is from carsafety.org:

Q52: Can I use an infant head support? Is it OK to put a padded cushion under the child for comfort?

Generally, NO. Unless such items come with the carseat or are recommended by the manufacturer of the carseat as an accessory, do not use them. Aftermarket pads and cushions are not tested with the seat and any compressible material inside the harness may allow for more slack in the restraint. With a small infant, it is usually OK to put a rolled towel or receiving blanket along the sides of the head (outside the harness straps) to keep it upright. You may also put a rolled towel between a small infant and the crotch strap if there is a large gap, though you should never put towels or pads under a child in a carseat.

This link also speaks to using padding that isn't made by the car seat manufacturer:

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx?nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&nfstatusdescription=ERROR%3a+No+local+token&nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&nfstatusdescription=ERROR%3a+No+local+token

You can pretty much Google any car seat safety organization and will find the recommendation.

It's like bumpers. They're not recommended. But every company out there is still selling them.

janecanadian · October 2012

Here are the statements on after market accessories from car seat manufacturers: https://www.cpsafety.com/articles/AftMarketMan.aspx

gimmietimmies · October 2012

They're full of it. The statute they're saying they're compliant is for car seats only and not aftermarket products. The only way those would be compliant is if say Britax or Graco made and tested them with the seat as part of the seat. Since it interferes with the performance and operation of the seat, it isn't compliant (and because they aren't manufacturer tested/endorsed). They also would have had to perform engineering and safety tests in a lab with the product with every seat on the market, and that's expensive. I just don't see them doing that.

Google the statute, it's an NHsTA number I believe. I read through it, it has nothing applicable for this.

ETA: it a nutshell, compliance testing is the car seat manufacturer's responsibility, since they warranty the product. As it says in car seat manual, altering the product's normal operation voids the warranty, so they absolve themselves of liability if it doesn't perform as tested (and they don't test with those in). Hope that makes sense.

Now with linky: https://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/testing/comply/fmvss213/index.html

That's the test results for FMVSS 213 that JJ Cole states on their website.

Meagan0528 · October 2012

kellyrn9956:
The bottom line is that there should be nothing between the baby and the car seat. Period. This one is acceptable.

https://jjcolecollections.com/car-seat-cover

I wouldn't go by the company's testimony that their product is safe. Of course it's been tested. But have they been tested with every single car seat out there? The current recommendation is nothing between baby and car seat. It's not worth the risk when you can buy a cover that puts nothing between baby and car seat. I also understand that using anything that doesn't come with the seat voids its warranty.

This is from carsafety.org:

Q52: Can I use an infant head support? Is it OK to put a padded cushion under the child for comfort?

Generally, NO. Unless such items come with the carseat or are recommended by the manufacturer of the carseat as an accessory, do not use them. Aftermarket pads and cushions are not tested with the seat and any compressible material inside the harness may allow for more slack in the restraint. With a small infant, it is usually OK to put a rolled towel or receiving blanket along the sides of the head (outside the harness straps) to keep it upright. You may also put a rolled towel between a small infant and the crotch strap if there is a large gap, though you should never put towels or pads under a child in a carseat.

This link also speaks to using padding that isn't made by the car seat manufacturer:

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx?nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&nfstatusdescription=ERROR%3a+No+local+token&nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&nfstatusdescription=ERROR%3a+No+local+token

You can pretty much Google any car seat safety organization and will find the recommendation.

It's like bumpers. They're not recommended. But every company out there is still selling them.

This. I work at a Children's Hospital and I have seen what CAN happen. They are most definitely NOT safe.

LittleApple · October 2012

::headdesk:: ::headdesk::

These are NOT SAFE! It doesn't matter what JJ Cole says. They have not been crash tested with your car seat. God knows how they were crash tested.

The car seat manufactures all state NOT to use these products. So don't!

In case you wanted to see real actual reasons, try and find the word "BundleMe" in this PDF of the Crash test document stating it is safe.

https://www.carseat.org/Legal/FMVSS213.pdf

kateraid · October 2012

I wouldn't trust it. You can test it out yourself by putting your baby in the car seat with the bundle me and tightening the straps. Take the baby and bundleme out and just put baby in. See how loose the straps are?

I received two as a shower gift with no receipts and I figure I will cut the backs out of them so it's just like the baby is wearing a secure blanket in the car seat but with the benefit of it being zipped around their feet. That way baby is sitting directly in the car seat with nothing interfering with the straps or sitting behind him. If I didn't get them as gifts, I would be purchasing the elastic band car seat cover instead.

From what I've been told, if you try to leave the hospital with a bundleme in your car seat with a newborn they will tell you to take it out. Better safe than sorry.

penguingrrl · October 2012

LauraT25:
I'm pretty disappointed in JJ Cole now No matter what they say, the car seat manufacturers and safety organizations clearly state that NO aftermarket product should be used with a car seat.
I often stick up for this product when everyone starts to bandwagon against it because it can be used when the car seat is NOT in the car (which is what we plan on using it for), but it's not cool for the company to just go making up safety recommendations.

I'm very disappointed in JJ Cole for making that claim. My bundle me was the best stroller accessory I had. A total must for urbanites who need to be outside in all weather. But it's not safe to use in a carseat no matter how much they want it to be.

KeriW · October 2012

So what should I put my baby in to keep them cozy warm, sounds like I shouldn't even do a jacket or one those cute fuzzy cozy head to toe suits. Just a blanket and carrier cover? Because the extra clothing would put the same amount of space between baby and the back of the seat????

kellyrn9956 · October 2012

Yes. Bulky winter items should be removed before putting baby in the car seat. This is why the car seat covers are a good idea.

penguingrrl · October 2012

The baby can't have anything thicker than a fleece in the carseat, particularly when it's rear facing. The harness straps may seem tight enough, but in an accident all the bulky material will compress and the straps will be too loose around the actual child and could either not hold them properly or even eject them from the seat. So no heavy winter coats, snowsuits, bundle mes or anything else thicker than a regular fleece sweatshirt.

My kids all wore a fleece on piece in the car and used a bundle me in the stroller getting to and from the car (they hated the infant seat and were summer babies, so we never used an infant seat in winter). I keep blankets in the car to bundle them in after they're strapped in and they've always been fine. And we're in an area that gets cold and didn't have a way to preheat the car since we were in Manhattan and usually parked blocks from our building.

PBear93 · October 2012

I find these two links very helpful in understanding what is and isn't safe in car seats.

https://lifeofasahm-lisa.blogspot.com/2010/03/car-seat-basics-guest-poster_19.html?m=1

https://dailymomtra.com/2011/03/30/the-picture-guide-to-car-seat-safety/

I am on a mac and can't make things clicky.

tnvolsgal · October 2012

We plan on using our JJ Cole BundleMe for walks on cooler days and for a trip planned to NC to see Biltmore House at Christmas (outside areas and the house...no heat). But have to agree with other PP...definitely not using it within the car.

goldenpineapple · October 2012

jfresh:
KeriW:
So what should I put my baby in to keep them cozy warm, sounds like I shouldn't even do a jacket or one those cute fuzzy cozy head to toe suits. Just a blanket and carrier cover? Because the extra clothing would put the same amount of space between baby and the back of the seat????
Put them in a fleece jacket. Nothing bulky, like a puffy coat. There are some head to toe outfits that aren't puffy that would be fine. Then you can tuck a blanket around the legs and put a shower-cap style cover on the car seat. If you think about it they won't be out in the elements very long, just from your house to car, grocery to car, etc.

Put them in a fleece jacket. Nothing bulky, like a puffy coat.

Does this apply to babies under one year old using the infant car seats only or including when they are bigger and using the convertible car seats too? I'm a first time mom and wondering how to dress my baby when he gets older.
Say since the convertible car seats will remain in the car - If I only dress them in a fleece jacket - how do I transport them from the car to say to the daycare or to the restaurant warmly?

So how to dress them properly during winter and be safe in the carseat?

penguingrrl · October 2012

goldenpineapple:
jfresh:
KeriW:
So what should I put my baby in to keep them cozy warm, sounds like I shouldn't even do a jacket or one those cute fuzzy cozy head to toe suits. Just a blanket and carrier cover? Because the extra clothing would put the same amount of space between baby and the back of the seat????
Put them in a fleece jacket. Nothing bulky, like a puffy coat. There are some head to toe outfits that aren't puffy that would be fine. Then you can tuck a blanket around the legs and put a shower-cap style cover on the car seat. If you think about it they won't be out in the elements very long, just from your house to car, grocery to car, etc.
Put them in a fleece jacket. Nothing bulky, like a puffy coat.
Does this apply to babies under one year old using the infant car seats only or including when they are bigger and using the convertible car seats too? I'm a first time mom and wondering how to dress my baby when he gets older.
Say since the convertible car seats will remain in the car - If I only dress them in a fleece jacket - how do I transport them from the car to say to the daycare or to the restaurant warmly?

So how to dress them properly during winter and be safe in the carseat?

Technically speaking it applies to everyone. Nobody should have a thick, bulky coat between themselves and the seat belt. However, my personal feeling is that there's already a little give between the person and the belt once you're using the adult seat belt (on its own or in a booster) so once my kids are in a booster I'll let them keep their coat on. Since a harness is supposed to have no give at all and it functioning properly depends on it being as snug as possible you can't ever use a coat with a harness.

Past winters when we were in Manhattan and walked blocks to the car we would bundle up to walk from the apartment to the car, then unbundle, get buckled, and bundle up. Now that most of our walking is house to car, school to parking lot, short trips we'll probably just wear fleeces unless we'll be outside longer.

strawberrytree · October 2012

goldenpineapple:
jfresh:
KeriW:
So what should I put my baby in to keep them cozy warm, sounds like I shouldn't even do a jacket or one those cute fuzzy cozy head to toe suits. Just a blanket and carrier cover? Because the extra clothing would put the same amount of space between baby and the back of the seat????
Put them in a fleece jacket. Nothing bulky, like a puffy coat. There are some head to toe outfits that aren't puffy that would be fine. Then you can tuck a blanket around the legs and put a shower-cap style cover on the car seat. If you think about it they won't be out in the elements very long, just from your house to car, grocery to car, etc.
Put them in a fleece jacket. Nothing bulky, like a puffy coat.
Does this apply to babies under one year old using the infant car seats only or including when they are bigger and using the convertible car seats too? I'm a first time mom and wondering how to dress my baby when he gets older.
Say since the convertible car seats will remain in the car - If I only dress them in a fleece jacket - how do I transport them from the car to say to the daycare or to the restaurant warmly?

So how to dress them properly during winter and be safe in the carseat?

We put DS in this (already quite chilly where we live): https://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/ca_ecom/en/sc-gear/infant-buttery-fleece-bunting.html?parent_category_rn=&cm_vc=Search&variationId=49W

Keeps him snuggly warm and it's no thicker than a sweatshirt.

LittleApple · October 2012

strawberrytree:
goldenpineapple:
jfresh:
KeriW:
So what should I put my baby in to keep them cozy warm, sounds like I shouldn't even do a jacket or one those cute fuzzy cozy head to toe suits. Just a blanket and carrier cover? Because the extra clothing would put the same amount of space between baby and the back of the seat????
Put them in a fleece jacket. Nothing bulky, like a puffy coat. There are some head to toe outfits that aren't puffy that would be fine. Then you can tuck a blanket around the legs and put a shower-cap style cover on the car seat. If you think about it they won't be out in the elements very long, just from your house to car, grocery to car, etc.
Put them in a fleece jacket. Nothing bulky, like a puffy coat.
Does this apply to babies under one year old using the infant car seats only or including when they are bigger and using the convertible car seats too? I'm a first time mom and wondering how to dress my baby when he gets older.
Say since the convertible car seats will remain in the car - If I only dress them in a fleece jacket - how do I transport them from the car to say to the daycare or to the restaurant warmly?

So how to dress them properly during winter and be safe in the carseat?
We put DS in this (already quite chilly where we live): https://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/ca_ecom/en/sc-gear/infant-buttery-fleece-bunting.html?parent_category_rn=&cm_vc=Search&variationId=49W
Keeps him snuggly warm and it's no thicker than a sweatshirt.

Umm I dunno if I would trust that Northface snow suit. That looks too thick. Try this: Put Lo in the snowsuit in the car seat. Strap it tight. Then take LO out of the car seat and place LO in the car seat and don't adjust the straps. See how much slack is left. That is a good indication of how much slack there will be in an accident because the puffy snow suit will compress everywhere.

chardonnay24 · October 2012

goldenpineapple:

Put them in a fleece jacket. Nothing bulky, like a puffy coat.

Does this apply to babies under one year old using the infant car seats only or including when they are bigger and using the convertible car seats too? I'm a first time mom and wondering how to dress my baby when he gets older.
Say since the convertible car seats will remain in the car - If I only dress them in a fleece jacket - how do I transport them from the car to say to the daycare or to the restaurant warmly?

So how to dress them properly during winter and be safe in the carseat?

We have a thin NF fleece jacket that he wears most of the time and it keep him warm for short trips outside (house to car, car to daycare, etc). I dress him in layers and add a puffy vest to the NF fleece when we are going to be outside for longer periods of time, but I wait until we get to our destination to bundle him up.

chardonnay24 · October 2012

goldenpineapple:

Put them in a fleece jacket. Nothing bulky, like a puffy coat.

Does this apply to babies under one year old using the infant car seats only or including when they are bigger and using the convertible car seats too? I'm a first time mom and wondering how to dress my baby when he gets older.
Say since the convertible car seats will remain in the car - If I only dress them in a fleece jacket - how do I transport them from the car to say to the daycare or to the restaurant warmly?

So how to dress them properly during winter and be safe in the carseat?

We have a thin NF fleece jacket that he wears most of the time and it keep him warm for short trips outside (house to car, car to daycare, etc). I dress him in layers and add a puffy vest to the NF fleece when we are going to be outside for longer periods of time, but I wait until we get to our destination to bundle him up.

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