Car seat pros question, buntings

[sapphire_chan]

Here's an example picture of a bunting. (http://www.christinecolumbus.com/products.asp?pID=822)

My limited knowledge of carseat safety says that this thing is a *bad* idea. Can the pros let me know if it's okay?

Thank you!

[sweetfeet]

Yep thats "bad" for a carseat. Ideally you want very minimal amount of fabric and coat between the back of the seat and the harness. That can compress in an accident and the straps will be much looser than you thought they were. A good alternative is the kind that "pop" over the infant seat such as this one (http://landsend.com/cd/fp/prod/0,,1_2_52358_63661_74080_52527_5:view=-1,00.html?CM_MERCH=PAGE_63660&sid=2399147852069183980)

[alicia622]

Not a pro but I think the bulk under the child may be a slight safety issue. I think it depends on how thick the fleecey part is. I have one of those car seat covers and it is amazing how much heat it retains. It was in the 20's today and dfs was in his car seat with just his regular clothes, a thin hat, a thin blanket and that and he was toasty warm.

[sapphire_chan]

Yep thats "bad" for a carseat. Ideally you want very minimal amount of fabric and coat between the back of the seat and the harness. That can compress in an accident and the straps will be much looser than you thought they were. A good alternative is the kind that "pop" over the infant seat such as this one (http://landsend.com/cd/fp/prod/0,,1_2_52358_63661_74080_52527_5:view=-1,00.html?CM_MERCH=PAGE_63660&sid=2399147852069183980)

That's what I thought. Thanks! :)

Drat. Now, lucky me I get to go find research for it.

[sweetfeet]

Well I think that technically its an aftermarket product such as the strap covers, head rest thing and so on. All of which void the manufacturers warranty and releases them from liability.

[sapphire_chan]

Yep, that's what the research is saying. Nothing about it on AAP's website though, quite disappointed in them.

[dallaschildren]

The reasoning behind why poofy coats and buntings are a bad idea in a car seat is because of compression. You will not get a good tight fit with the harness straps with coats that are thick. It will be impossible. If you are in a wreck, your child will be thrown farther forward per se, until the harness straps compress past the coats material and actually hit your child's body which stops him/her. Tired and feeling ill tonight so I didn't explain too well but that's the gist of it.
It is better to place your child in a thin bunting (thin fleece or something), put them in the seat, tighten the straps, adjust the harness clip, and then layer blankets OVER them.
Something like this: http://www.hannaandersson.com/style.asp?from=SC%7C2%7C1%7C156%7C2%7C7%7C%7C is fine but I wouldn't go any thicker.

Dallaschildren
CPS tech and momma to 2 sons in seats :thumb

[sapphire_chan]

If you have a chance to check back when you've had some sleep, can you let me know if would it be okay if the straps are still touching the baby's clothes (onesie) but there was stuff behind the baby? I'm thinking "no" because you aren't supposed to have padding behind the head.

[Yooper]

On a related note, for car seat gurus.......

What exactly is one suppose to do when it is -10 degrees out and you are not suppose to have a coat on your child and they are older (toddler) where you cannot just put them in the bucket while in the house and pile the blankets on? I cannot see how it would be at all responsible to put a coat and snow pants on in the house, walk to the car, strip it all off to go it the seat while the wind is whipping through the car and it takes about 15 miles for the heat to even think about working. Then stuffing them back in the whole get up at every errand while the wind is again whippign through the open car door. We have been compromising here this year with a pretty thin winter jacket and blankets, but dd still howls that she is cold every time. And I do not blame her since I get to keep my heavy coat on and I am freezing.

[Dal]

We have one very similar to the bunting posted (I actually wanted that one but wasn't able to get it). The material is really not very puffy at all. It's much thinner than most coats, for example. And as for no padding on the child's head: children should never wear hats in carseats? We were able to get Simon snugly into his carseat with such a bunting thing in it. He wore way less clothes this way than he would have otherwise. Were I now in the market, though, I'd most likely get the one that goes over the seat. Didn't know to be concerned about the bunting bag.

[sapphire_chan]

I meant like for supporting newborns' heads, you're supposed to wrap a towel around, and not use one of those upside-down U shaped things. Because the U things have fabric all across which gets behind the head. But maybe those are a problem because the whole thing is padded?

[goosysmom]

I had a bunting that I put my dd in last year when it was cold..It was like a snowsuit built like a sleepsack that had a hold btwn the legs just big enough to get the middle strap through (like a large buttonhole) and she was kept toasty warm and we didn't have to worry about taking her coat off and on bc it gets below zero and way below with the wind chill here in Ohio....When we got to whereever we were going I just unsnapped it and took her arms out and didn't have to bother with trying to get the snowsuit over the boots/shoes and such...

It was similar to this one on ebay but it snapped a bit diagonally..

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SAMARA-INFANT-BABY-GIRL-SOFT-0-6-M-BUNTING-COAT-WOW_W0QQitemZ4796699552QQcategoryZ57824QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem

It was thinner than her winter coat now but kept her very warm...

Now that she is 18 months she has 2 winter jackets....One is thick but warm and the other is her new one that's poofy but not super poofy (not like our big down coats) and when we strap her into her carseat it compresses in the bag (all the poofyness becomes flat bc of her weight)....My friends DH is a cop and she works with the health department and helps run the car seat installation clinics and such from time to time and she does the same thing with her little ones...HTH

[dallaschildren]

If you have a chance to check back when you've had some sleep, can you let me know if would it be okay if the straps are still touching the baby's clothes (onesie) but there was stuff behind the baby? I'm thinking "no" because you aren't supposed to have padding behind the head.

Good morning,

It is not recommended that anything be placed behind the baby. You can add two rolled blankets on either side of the face for head support, but nothing on top of the head (it could fall behind the head or neck) or between your child's body and their car seat.

Dallaschildren
CPS tech and momma to 2 sons in seats

[dallaschildren]

On a related note, for car seat gurus.......

What exactly is one suppose to do when it is -10 degrees out and you are not suppose to have a coat on your child and they are older (toddler) where you cannot just put them in the bucket while in the house and pile the blankets on? I cannot see how it would be at all responsible to put a coat and snow pants on in the house, walk to the car, strip it all off to go it the seat while the wind is whipping through the car and it takes about 15 miles for the heat to even think about working. Then stuffing them back in the whole get up at every errand while the wind is again whippign through the open car door. We have been compromising here this year with a pretty thin winter jacket and blankets, but dd still howls that she is cold every time. And I do not blame her since I get to keep my heavy coat on and I am freezing.

I agree with you....it is unrealistic to dress your child, get outside, spend time undressing them, and then putting them in their seat all while it is frigidly cold. There are quite a few options out there, for snowsuits/buntings that are thin but warm as heck. Some have ratings to negative temps. If buying something like this isn't an option for you, then dress them in as skinny of a layer (s) while still keeping them warm as you can and make sure you put them in their seat correctly. That is what really matters.

Dallaschildren
CPS tech and momma to 2 sons in seats

[dallaschildren]

I meant like for supporting newborns' heads, you're supposed to wrap a towel around, and not use one of those upside-down U shaped things. Because the U things have fabric all across which gets behind the head. But maybe those are a problem because the whole thing is padded?


You can roll two blankets and place them to either side of their head for support. It is not recommended that anyone use the U shaped pillows that stores sell, or anything above the head or behind or around the neck. It affects where and how their bodies move in a collision. Remember that most of those items sold in stores are considered after market parts and are not crash tested. If it didn't come with your car seat, it is generally recommended you do not use it.

Dallaschildren
CPS tech and momma to 2 sons in seats

[dallaschildren]

We have one very similar to the bunting posted (I actually wanted that one but wasn't able to get it). The material is really not very puffy at all. It's much thinner than most coats, for example. And as for no padding on the child's head: children should never wear hats in carseats? We were able to get Simon snugly into his carseat with such a bunting thing in it. He wore way less clothes this way than he would have otherwise. Were I now in the market, though, I'd most likely get the one that goes over the seat. Didn't know to be concerned about the bunting bag.



A car seat bunting bag is fine...as long as it just slide onto the seat. If it comes between the child and seat it should not be used.

Dallaschildren
CPS tech and momma to 2 sons in seats

[dallaschildren]

Here are examples of what is recommended and what is not. Disclaimer: This is my opinion and should be construed as such. These safety recommendations apply to all manufacturer's and are not limited to only the brand name listed.

Examples of what is NOT recommended:

http://www.kiddopotamus.com/p_snuzz.php
http://www.kiddopotamus.com/p_cushy.php
http://www.kiddopotamus.com/p_snug.php

I used this one:

http://www.kiddopotamus.com/p_flee.php


Dallaschildren
CPS tech and momma to 2 sons in seats