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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

THICK CLOTHING IN CAR SEAT DANGER

183 replies

TeamSouthfields · 09/11/2013 23:35

Sorry put here for traffic...

I read a terrible article today, but can't copy the link here (rubbish phone)
It's basically about the danger of babies/ young children wearing thick clothing in there car seat..

A baby was ejected from his car seat in an accident, by some miracle he survived,
His winter coat, his snowsuit, was too bulky. Even a coat that seems thin can add too much bulk under the safety belts. In an accident, that bulk compresses, leaving too much room between your baby's body and the straps. This could cause baby to be ejected from the car seat.

please share this

OP posts:
JuneauWhoIAm · 10/11/2013 09:20

I actually thought this was common knowledge too?

It's on the instruction booklets.

JuneauWhoIAm · 10/11/2013 09:22

I'm confused as to why a midwife should be advising you about it too.
Point the finger at someone else??

Shakey1500 · 10/11/2013 09:29

I've obviously no common sense either Hmm as I've never heard this advice. Thankfully DS is way past the age.

Needs to be more well known so thumbs up OP and a less patronising tone by some folk wouldn't go amiss either

MisguidedHamwidge · 10/11/2013 09:30

I've just looked at the instructions for the Britax car seat I have and found:

"Adjust the harness to fit the clothes your child is wearing before each journey - a fitting for winter clothes may be too slack for a child wearing summer clothes."

This is under the heading "Vital information". No mention of removing thick clothing.

onedogandababy · 10/11/2013 09:35

juneau uhhh, how about because they insist on seeing them strapped into the chair before you leave??

Or, as a midwife upthread said - they run car safety workshops. I'd've thought that meant that something may have been said.

Not that I expect anyone else to take responsibility for my child, but most people go on what they are advised. Knowledge is generally passed on & learnt, not inherent.

Which is why it was nice of the op to come on and share.
Smile

MissBetseyTrotwood · 10/11/2013 09:36

I have thought about this on occasion as I strap the DSs in in their puffa jackets.

woodlandwanderwoman · 10/11/2013 09:37

Also important to note that children, especially infants, can overheat rapidly in the bucket seats when in snow suits. This is even more likely to happen than having an accident which might cause baby to be ejected and again you see SO many people doing it

badguider · 10/11/2013 09:37

I don't adjust the straps so if he goes in the chair in a bulkier jumper/coat for a short journey when the car will still be cold then the straps are just really tight and compress the clothing already. It's probably quite uncomfy but as I say I only do it for five min journeys where we're all in our winter clothes inside the car ready for our destination.
Even thinking carefully about this I do not see how it can be a significant risk.

Klootami · 10/11/2013 09:44

Google or search on Facebook for Morrck hoodies for car seats, fab product (I'm expecting DC3 and buy them as new baby presents). Baby doesn't need snowsuit on, you just then clip car seat onto travel system. And no I don't work for them just fanatical about infant car seat safety.

lagoonhaze · 10/11/2013 09:47

We used a morrck or a thin polar fleece from Jo Jo.

It really is something all car seat retailers need to highlight more.

KerwhizzedMyself · 10/11/2013 09:57

Well, midwives show you other relevant information about your new baby so why not also the car seat safety especially when all the babies leave in one?

OrangeMochaFrappucino · 10/11/2013 09:58

I left the hospital in late December snow. The midwives cooed over how cute his fluffy bear snowsuit was while I strapped him into the car seat wearing it. They were clearly unaware that he shouldn't be wearing it in the car. I didn't know either and I am very careful to read instructions and follow safety guidelines.

Now DS is nearly three he is in a Mamas and Papas Cybex seat with a crash pillow belted in front of him - not a five point harness. There is nothing in the instructions that I found about taking off his coat so either I have failed to read it correctly, it doesn't apply to that kind of seat or they don't provide a warning. I would never have realised from 'common sense' that his coat would compress, maybe I am very stupid. I rarely put his coat on in the car as I don't think it's comfortable but I sometimes do on short journeys especially in the rain so will be aware in future.

I will be letting my parents know about this as they take him out sometimes so thank you for raising it.

MrsBungleScare · 10/11/2013 10:06

Does anyone know if this is applicable to car seats that don't have the straps? We have a kiddy infinity so just the body bar. I've never heard of this. We have strap car seat in dh'a car and I just leave the straps the same si they are tight.

lagoonhaze · 10/11/2013 10:39

It applies to shields too. They need to be very snug esp in a rollover

MrsBungleScare · 10/11/2013 10:40

Thanks lagoon

ConfusedPixie · 10/11/2013 11:11

It's not always obvious. I had to be told this by a former employer as it never even occurred to me. I then had my next employer specifically tell me to keep their coats on in the car, even after I explained why I took them off. It was only when I asked them to sign a disclaimer that they agreed with me and I kept small fleeces in the car to put over them and their coats went on like snuggies.

I wouldn't do what that Mum did wrt keeping her child warm by doing up the jacket. Surely you are then creating another barrier to the child in the event of an emergency? What if the zip got stuck? As they often do.

AchyFox · 10/11/2013 14:26

Has anyone found a link to an actual case yet ?

bigkidsdidit · 10/11/2013 14:32

I had no idea about this. I put ds2 in his seat in his snow suit because he always falls asleep in the car and it would wake him up to get him dressed at our destination.

I don't know how he'd fly out of the seat though, he has his straps and the seatbelt holding the car seat in place in front of him.

RigglinJigglin · 10/11/2013 14:40

misguided I've gone and checked our car seat instructions and the message is similar to yours. It doesn't say do not wear thick clothing.

Had no idea, but won't be doing it anytime soon again

Paintingrainbowskies · 10/11/2013 14:41

I was just going to suggest the morrck baby hoodie too, I loved ours so much. I too buy them for new baby gifts.

There's a good video on their website explaining the dangers of jacket:

www.morrck.co.uk/videos

Paintingrainbowskies · 10/11/2013 14:42

www.morrck.co.uk/videos

TSSDNCOP · 10/11/2013 14:42

I didn't know this either. Had 3 car seats and don't recall seeing it printed either. As I always pulled the straps super tight I would have thought that in itself would squish out the air.

MooseBeTimeForSnow · 10/11/2013 14:43

bebeanjo why would a child in a car have a coat on? They shouldn't. But, if you're not well informed and it's currently -20 outside (which it is here in my part of Canada) it seems right.

I use a fleece suit on my 22 month old DS. It's warm enough for the dash from the car to wherever we're going.

bigkidsdidit · 10/11/2013 14:54

So three people on this thread have now checked their seat instructions and none say to remove heavy clothing, just to tighten straps?

And children wear snowsuits in cars because they might be only in the car for ten minutes then getting out into rain, surely.