I just read the Car Seat Lady's post on this and I'm still confused. Help a new mama out! What IS okay for LO to wear in the car seat? We have a 5 minute walk outside to the car so a blanket won't do. I feel like putting a coat on at home, taking it off at the car, putting it back on to go to daycare, then taking it off again is a LOT of work. She's been wearing this Carter's fleece type hoodie but it won't be enough when winter comes.
squash / 13764 posts
Honesty, for a 5 minute walk, a thick fleece blanket pulled up right under her chin and a fleece hat is probably fine. Or one of the shower cap style bundle me covers. Or a car seat canopy thing to block the wind.
blogger / grapefruit / 4836 posts
Anything that compresses is a hazard. The best way I have seen suggested to test it is to put your child in the car seat in their winter gear, then without loosening the straps take them out. Then take off the winter gear, put them back in the seat, and see how much of a gap there is. If there is a lot of extra space between the straps and the child then the winter gear is too much. This mostly applies to multiple layers and or insulated coats that puff up with air. The air will compress in a crash, leaving the straps too loose.
bananas / 9229 posts
@hilsy85: I carry her alone, not in her car seat. 
When it gets really bad out, like snow all over the ground and not safe to walk carrying her, DH or I will bring the car up instead. We have a shower cap bundle me for her car seat. It's just the in between.
squash / 13764 posts
@LindsayInNY: ah gotcha. I still think wrapped in a fleece blanket, with a fleece hat, she'll be fine. Or put her in a carrier and wrap the blanket around your front.
Eta or are you worried about her being cold in the car? In which case, I would either start it remotely and turn on the heat, or just tuck the blanket around her once she is in. We've nevr had an issue with this, even after leaving our car outside in teen degree weather. They warm up quickly!
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
The main thing is that you don't want something that compresses, like if you put a pillow in a vacuum sealing bag and it shrinks down to half its size. So that takes those down puffer coats and buntings out of the equation.
bananas / 9229 posts
@Mrs. Lion: She has that jacket above and a winter one. The winter one isn't puffy per se so I guess I'm wondering if that's safe to wear?
bananas / 9229 posts
@hilsy85: I stopped using the carrier but that might not be a bad idea...
@looch: No buntings at all? Not even the fleece ones? Or just not the puffy style ones? GAH I feel so dumb!
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
What about doing a cape/poncho? Buy a big size that will cover most of her body? I bought a really cute one from Gymboree, I see it at Target too. I just throw it over her and it's easy to take it off when I get into the car.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
@LindsayInNY: fleece is generally okay, it doesn't compress like a down filled bunting does.
The main thing I was concerned about was the wind, to be honest. So, I would physically get in the car, shut the door and then go about my business buckling my son in. I would fully dress him, but this could be annoying.
blogger / grapefruit / 4836 posts
@LindsayInNY: I think it just depends on the coat. This site is where I got my info from. They have a good reputation for being very cautious, so I feel like I can trust their recommendations. http://csftl.org/hello-winter-good-bye-coats/ We are in NC and don't have super cold winters, but we got one of those full body fleece sacks with legs that are pictured for the stroller and I feel like it would be safe in a car seat.
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
@LindsayInNY: http://amzn.com/B00ODZ59A4
This should be safe since it's thin. Might be kinda huge your baby now tho! I was talking more about going to/from the car...
bananas / 9229 posts
@snowjewelz: Ah that's so cute!! Is it safe to be on in the car seat then?
@Mrs. Lion: Haven't seen that site so I'll take a look!
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
@LindsayInNY: According to their description, and from what I know yes, b/c it doesn't create any space between the child and the harness...
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
@LindsayInNY: These are our winter jackets for in the car: http://www.columbia.com/boys-steens-mt-ii-fleece---infant-WN6760.html They seem to be a bit of a thicker fleece, but still car seat safe. Add hat, mittens, and a blanket, and baby (and toddler) are warm enough! If you're just walking to the car and carrying your baby, I'd put her in a jacket, hat, mitten, and then just wrap a fleece blanket around her for the walk. Buckle her in the car and put the blanket over her after.
pomegranate / 3601 posts
@LindsayInNY: I use the Columbia fleece bunting. Since it doesn't compress I am fine with it. http://www.columbia.com/snowtop-ii-bunting-%E2%80%93-infant-SN0213.html?dwvar_SN0213_variationColor=530#start=7
olive / 50 posts
We used a Patagonia down sweater (or maybe the nano? I can't remember which), which is a thin down jacket, so warmer than a fleece, but it still doesn't compress in the car seat.
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