https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 23:32:53 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-seat-safety-after-market-carseat-products-bundleme-piddle-pads-etc#post-85495 Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:35:34 +0000 pastemoo 85495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for sharing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-seat-safety-after-market-carseat-products-bundleme-piddle-pads-etc#post-85416 Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:59:11 +0000 MsMini 85416@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LivsMama: Thanks! I love my job so much (I am going to miss it so so much during my 1 year met leave!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-seat-safety-after-market-carseat-products-bundleme-piddle-pads-etc#post-85095 Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:21:46 +0000 LivsMama 85095@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsMini: ah, makes sense. Checking the carseat is probably more common than I realize. Since we live in NYC, they dont check since most people dont drive anyways. </p> <p>And I have to say, it takes a special person to be a NICU nurse. I commend what you do, truly =o) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-seat-safety-after-market-carseat-products-bundleme-piddle-pads-etc#post-85018 Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:13:06 +0000 MsMini 85018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LivsMama: I am an NICU nurse, we do car seat testing as part of the discharge process of babies who fit the criteria (born at &lt;36 weeks or &lt;2500 grams, or with respiratory/cardiac/neurological issues). We have to test how the baby copes with being in a car seat over a 90 minute period. I cannot do the test with any non-manufacturer accessories in the car seat. Additionally, legally where I live I have to see every discharged baby in an up to date, appropriate carseat without any safety issues (i.e. non-manufacturer accessories), and chart that in the chart at discharge. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-seat-safety-after-market-carseat-products-bundleme-piddle-pads-etc#post-84911 Thu, 01 Mar 2012 08:23:14 +0000 LivsMama 84911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsMini: What do you do that requires that? Ive never heard of something like that, but it makes sense. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-seat-safety-after-market-carseat-products-bundleme-piddle-pads-etc#post-84816 Thu, 01 Mar 2012 01:40:14 +0000 MsMini 84816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have wanted to make this post so many times, but didn't because I was afraid of backlash. I am so glad you did!</p> <p>I always feel terrible when I do a car seat test at work, because I feel like every time I have to bag up all the "extras" and tell the parents that they are unsafe, and void the warranty of the car seat. Not to mention improper use of car seat accessories can get you a ticket if the police catch you in a car seat safety check-stop. </p> <p>At work, I am obligated legally to remove any and all non-manufacturer items from the car seat before the baby is placed in it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-seat-safety-after-market-carseat-products-bundleme-piddle-pads-etc#post-84813 Thu, 01 Mar 2012 01:24:34 +0000 s1lly 84813@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our chp person that checked the car seat told us to always but the handle bar behind, all the way down... So that it's not in front of the baby. That way in case of an accident, the handle would not be able to puncture the baby's chest/body. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-seat-safety-after-market-carseat-products-bundleme-piddle-pads-etc#post-83946 Wed, 29 Feb 2012 13:14:21 +0000 mrs. wagon 83946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is all very interesting, and a lot of it is news to me. We faithfully used a bundle me and a head positioner (snuzzler) because the head positioner that came with the seat was crap-- never stayed in place so obviously baby's head won't stay in place either. The cover that came with the carseat was also useless-- maybe waterproof? but didn't add any warmth or anything and kept slipping off so we chucked that too. </p> <p>I think I need to do more research and purchase a seat that comes with approved accessories for the next one! (Surprising since I have the ever-popular Graco Snugride.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-seat-safety-after-market-carseat-products-bundleme-piddle-pads-etc#post-83941 Wed, 29 Feb 2012 13:09:11 +0000 looch 83941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is great information.</p> <p>I made all of the common first time parent mistakes with extra gear for the car seat (didn't use it though). I also think you've got to use common sense with most things, like the BundleMe. If you don't use the car, then it's fine, but having a shower cap type cover is a lot easier.</p> <p>Above all, parents should use the car seat for the intended purpose, in the car, not as a place to plop baby or have them sleep. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-seat-safety-after-market-carseat-products-bundleme-piddle-pads-etc#post-83909 Wed, 29 Feb 2012 12:32:43 +0000 Mrsbells 83909@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LivsMama: Oh I see.. thanks for explaining that to me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-seat-safety-after-market-carseat-products-bundleme-piddle-pads-etc#post-83907 Wed, 29 Feb 2012 12:28:59 +0000 LivsMama 83907@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: because when you have to loosen the car seat straps in order to fit the coat underneath it, the baby is not properly restrained. In the crash, they wouldnt be held firmly in place but the winter coat would compress, causing the child to fly forward and jerk to a stop, threatening neck/head injury. You shouldnt ever loosen the straps to fit them in because of an outfit,</p> <p>As for the rest of it, I agree and disagree with some of it. We have a custom car seat cover. The fabric is flame retardant with the same chemicals as regular car seats, and it was sewn directly onto the original car seat fabric so the stuffing is the same. Some people are horrified by this, but that doesnt bother me so much. I see a lot of BundleMes here in NYC, but most babies dont go in cars so thats not a big deal. We have one but only use it Livs Stroller. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-seat-safety-after-market-carseat-products-bundleme-piddle-pads-etc#post-83901 Wed, 29 Feb 2012 12:21:44 +0000 Mrsbells 83901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How does the winter coat pose a threat of death or injury? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-seat-safety-after-market-carseat-products-bundleme-piddle-pads-etc#post-83900 Wed, 29 Feb 2012 12:20:28 +0000 T.H.O.U. 83900@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for posting this. Two things I have questions maybe someone could help with?</p> <p>1. Our car seat (britax chaperone) only has strap covers about 3 inches long. As she has gotten bigger, the car seat cuts in on her neck when the chest buckle is in the correct spot by her armpits. Obviously I can't have her getting essentially a rope burn every time I put her in the car seat so I feel like I had no option but to purchase new strap covers that are longer (about 5 inches with no toys or anything on them). </p> <p>2. Toys from the bar. I guess I dont' see why these are a safety issue. What happens, in a crash they come loose and bonk the kid on the head?? Isn't that the concern even if the child is holding say a rattle in their hands? I only have soft toys up there and always make sure they cant reach her . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-seat-safety-after-market-carseat-products-bundleme-piddle-pads-etc#post-83897 Wed, 29 Feb 2012 12:17:57 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 83897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Awesome reminders. Especially re: winter coats. We never put the kiddo in anything more than a hooded sweatshirt in thr car because of this, </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-seat-safety-after-market-carseat-products-bundleme-piddle-pads-etc#post-83883 Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:56:50 +0000 sulli301 83883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrstilly: Thanks for posting this! I think it's so important! We got the strap covers as gifts &amp; someone offered to give us the bundle me but luckily I had read about it ahead of time so I got one that didn't risk LOs safety. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-seat-safety-after-market-carseat-products-bundleme-piddle-pads-etc#post-83872 Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:37:55 +0000 mrstilly 83872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our seat had a positioner that came with it. It makes me so made that companies can sell and market products that are not safe. I get so angry every time I see someone using a JJCole BundleMe (seems to be popular in NY during the winters) because they aren't safe, yet the company markets them for use in car seats. Drives me nuts! I've written some emails to a few companies, including JJCole, but never get a response. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-seat-safety-after-market-carseat-products-bundleme-piddle-pads-etc#post-83870 Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:30:26 +0000 polkadots 83870@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we bought a head positioner that we never used.. because i did the research after we bought it! When we were loading baby in her carseat before leaving the hospital the nurse rolled up some blankets for the sides.. (we used that for a long time!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-seat-safety-after-market-carseat-products-bundleme-piddle-pads-etc#post-83849 Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:17:01 +0000 plantains 83849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You are such a fount of knowledge, it is amazing. This is all really useful information. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-seat-safety-after-market-carseat-products-bundleme-piddle-pads-etc#post-83843 Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:14:34 +0000 mrstilly 83843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Every couple of days an item is sold or shown on this site that could lead to the injury or death of a child.</p> <p>1. Aftermarket products void your carseat warranty.</p> <p>2. Aftermarket products have not been crash tested and are not subject to any safety standards.</p> <p>3. Aftermarket products may not have the same flammability standards.</p> <p>Here are typical aftermarket products that should not be used under any circumstances:</p> <p>1. Mighty Tite (seat belt tightener)<br /> 2. Head positioners<br /> 3. BundleMe - carseat blankets that go between the infant and the carseat. (The JJCole BundleMe is one example.)<br /> 4. Strap covers<br /> 5. "custom" carseat covers<br /> 6. Bunting designed to have the bottom latch pass through the bunting.<br /> 7. Piddle pads<br /> 8. Bulky clothing like thick winter coats etc. There is a simple way to check for this; adjust your harness straps while child is in thin, normal clothing (such as jeans and a lighter weight sweater). Take your child out and put them in their coat then place them back in the seat. If you have to readjust the harness to get it to buckle, their jacket is too thick. Look for "polar fleece" and other materials that hold heat well but are thin and easily compressed. Certain down jackets may work as well as they look very puffy but will compress very easily. Never loosen the harness to adjust for bulky clothing.</p> <p>Here are what is okay:<br /> 1. Any items that come WITH your carseat (IN THE BOX), such as a head positioner, strap HUGS, "infant insert", etc.<br /> 2. Additional covers made by the manufacturer and approved for use with that particular model of carseat. (Check the manual - same brand does not mean it's approved)<br /> 3. Bunting that covers the end of the carseat and does not come between the harness and child or harness and seat. (JJ Cole makes a carseat cover that only covers the carseat with elastic to stretch over the sides.)<br /> 4. rolled up receiving blankets to position the head, placed to the sides and NOT BEHIND the head.<br /> 5. "grippy shelf liner" and "pool noodles" to install a seat correctly, WHEN used correctly. I highly, highly suggest having a CERTIFIED tech go over this with you and not attempting it yourself the first time.</p> <p>For more information, PLEASE speak with a CPST or check out the following sources:</p> <p>Detail of what can happen, and was reported on 2 occasions to have led to the serious injury or death of a child: <a href="http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/child...00401/menu.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/child...00401/menu.htm</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/aftermarket.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/aftermarket.aspx</a><br /> <a href="http://www.carsafety4kids.com/aftermarket.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.carsafety4kids.com/aftermarket.html</a><br /> <a href="http://www.safekids.org" rel="nofollow">http://www.safekids.org</a><br /> <a href="http://www.car-seat.org" rel="nofollow">http://www.car-seat.org</a> </p>