Down?

[SeattleRain]

So I was thinking about this winter coat thing, and I had a thought about down coats. I know that you're not supposed to put the kids in the carseat with "snowsuits" because they're puffy and you can't get a good fit with the straps and (worse yet) the polyester filling can compress during a crash and eject the baby. HOWEVER, down is a different sort of material that packs down. When pressure is put on down, it compresses in a way that polyester doesn't, I even think you could compress the straps as well as with a fleece jacket if necessary. So I was wondering if down jackets might be safe for carseats? I was looking at something like this http://www.rei.com/product/801819.

[leighi123]

I doubt it would be safe, I cant even find a lightweight zip up hoodie that doesnt interfere with ds's harness.   

If you get it, do the 'coat test', where you adjust the harness with regular clothes on, leave it at that setting and then add the coat.  If it fits without re-adjusting then you are good, otherwise you cant use it.   

[mama2soren]

Hmm, your link didn't work for me.  We have this one: http://www.rei.com/product/801818  Judging by the product ID number, I bet it's the same one you were linking to.

I actually can get my kiddo into his seat very safely with this jacket.  I don't have to loosen the harness at all.  I am a stickler for tight harness straps!  I tested it by putting my DS in his seat with jeans and a T-shirt, tightening appropriately, and then putting him in the seat again with this jacket on.  It was easier to buckle him in with this jacket than with most of the thin cotton sweaters he has.

Try it out!  We like the jacket a lot.  It keeps him warm, even in our cold Midwest winters (though, sometimes we do add a fleece layer underneath for super cold days-not in the car seat, though!).  Do "test" it, by strapping him in without the jacket first to get the right harness tightness. 

[leighi123]

Originally Posted by mama2soren 

Hmm, your link didn't work for me.  We have this one: http://www.rei.com/product/801818  Judging by the product ID number, I bet it's the same one you were linking to.

I actually can get my kiddo into his seat very safely with this jacket.  I don't have to loosen the harness at all.  I am a stickler for tight harness straps!  I tested it by putting my DS in his seat with jeans and a T-shirt, tightening appropriately, and then putting him in the seat again with this jacket on.  It was easier to buckle him in with this jacket than with most of the thin cotton sweaters he has.

Try it out!  We like the jacket a lot.  It keeps him warm, even in our cold Midwest winters (though, sometimes we do add a fleece layer underneath for super cold days-not in the car seat, though!).  Do "test" it, by strapping him in without the jacket first to get the right harness tightness. 

OP is linking to a different one, its a snowsuit and looks poofy-er than yours to me.  

[Toolip]

Originally Posted by leighi123 

Originally Posted by mama2soren 

Hmm, your link didn't work for me.  We have this one: http://www.rei.com/product/801818  Judging by the product ID number, I bet it's the same one you were linking to.

I actually can get my kiddo into his seat very safely with this jacket.  I don't have to loosen the harness at all.  I am a stickler for tight harness straps!  I tested it by putting my DS in his seat with jeans and a T-shirt, tightening appropriately, and then putting him in the seat again with this jacket on.  It was easier to buckle him in with this jacket than with most of the thin cotton sweaters he has.

Try it out!  We like the jacket a lot.  It keeps him warm, even in our cold Midwest winters (though, sometimes we do add a fleece layer underneath for super cold days-not in the car seat, though!).  Do "test" it, by strapping him in without the jacket first to get the right harness tightness. 

OP is linking to a different one, its a snowsuit and looks poofy-er than yours to me.  

I don't see anything in the OP link, it says product not found...

[SeattleRain]

It's just the infant version of that jacket (maybe it will work this time: http://www.rei.com/product/801819) . It's a onepiece for an infant instead of a jacket for a toddler. It's probably the same weight and everything of the one you're linking. I'm happy to hear you had good luck with it. I'm also looking at this one: http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2980840?origin=category&resultback=676#reviewAnchor. I think I'll take a ride out to REI and take a look at it. I have a 5 month old and I'm using a carseat cover currently but he still seems cold, especially since it's supposed to get cold this winter. It's in the 30's and 40's already which makes me a little nervous. Someone 2nd handed me some fleece suits but TBH, I can't get a good fit with the carseat with them so I don't use them very often.

[redvlagrl]

We have the Gap jacklets and they are down filled. I find I can de-puff them enough to make me feel comfortable (it passes the test).

[sunnymw]

Honestly if you're using a car seat cover I don't think your baby needs any more than a thin fleece jacket and MAYBE a blanket between the two (above the harness). But maybe my kiddos are just hot natured... they can't stand to be sweltering... and honestly, you're going to RUN to the car (so, 60 seconds tops), then be in a car with the heat full blast the whole ride... then RUN into your destination (okay, maybe not run, but YKWIM). I'd rather be comfortable for the long ride than the less than 2 minute transit from house to car.

Heck... we keep big jackets IN the car... or IN the house... to wear if we go to something OUTDOORS. But uh, we never wear them while riding. Even when we visit Indiana in the winter/spring. They just scream to take their coats off as soon as the heater is on. ;)

[SeattleRain]

I would agree with you but I also use my carseat in a snap and go outside (I know that's not a popular opinion on this forum, but it works for us) so I'd like something that works inside and out. Obviously I don't think the down suit is necessary with the carseat cover, I'm not as happy with the cover as I'd like. 

[mamadelbosque]

Honestly, I strongly disagree with the 'coat test' - my boys wear different clothes in the summer vs the winter, period and their straps are therefore different tightness period (t-shirt w/ shorts are *FAR* less bulky, no matter *how* you spin it than pants & sweat shirt!!). Theres no way my boys are wearing nothing but t-shirts in the winter in the car - a minimum of a hoody or fleece jacket, and yes, thats more bulky than just a t-shirt. But I for one am totally comfy with that.

[Eclipsepearl]

It's less about thickness than about those puffy jackets which really need the straps pulled out. Fleece is much thinner than puffy jackets. No one is saying to put them in T-shirts in winter and fleece, or a single sweater isn't that much thicker anyway. 

I too, wont keep the car so cold that anyone (adult or child) has to keep their coat on.

Another point is that my kids got into the habit of removing their coats in the car. A not-as-safety conscience friend's kids once were in my car. Immediately, my kids started removing their jackets. They were confused and we had to explain. But for my children, it's an automatic thing, get in car, remove jacket, strap in... Definitely a habit you want to develop, just to make life in the car easier.