THICK CLOTHING IN CAR SEAT DANGER

[TeamSouthfields]

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

[whatshallwedo]

Why does it appear to be such a problem to put a babies/child's coat on once you have arrived? Surely the extra two-three minutes this will take is worth it from a safety aspect?

[JollySeriousGiant]

I knew about this and I assumed everyone else did. Which is very silly as I have no idea where I got the information.

11wo DD goes in her car seat with a blanket on top tucked round her. She's then covered with her waterproof cover when we get out or transferred to the sling.

2.5yo DS travels in a jumper and I put on his jacket when we get there. We have a big car though so I can sit/stand him in the boot to get his jacket on if it's pouring down.

[bigkidsdidit]

Coat yes, snowsuit no. And in the rain, with a couple of dc, and seeing as carseat manufacturers don't actually advise against it?

[Trapper]

Is OP going to share the link to the article detailing this actually happening?

[whatshallwedo]

The safety of a child isn't compromised by standing outside in the rain - heaven forbid they should actually get wet. A small baby can lie on a seat having their snowsuit/coat put on whilst another child is still sitting in their seat.

[lagoonhaze]

thestir.cafemom.com/baby/149235/the_important_winter_car_seat

[bigkidsdidit]

Like badguider, I just can't see the danger as long as you don't adjust the straps and keep them tight. The coat will just get a bit squashed, that's all.

[BackOnlyBriefly]

I didn't know this and all the links seemed to be blogs and forums which is hardly conclusive. Also people are checking instructions and reading that they just have to make sure the straps are tight.

Even the pediatrics.about.com link says "The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that "It's OK to adjust the straps to allow for thicker clothes, but make sure the harness still holds the child snugly."

It does add that the Texas Department of Public Safety has additional advice but I just went to the Texas Department of Public Safety site and found nothing about coats. Perhaps they took it down?

Now it may well be good advice. However this is the 2nd thing I've read on MN about car seats this week and the other gem was on Snopes so it's perfectly reasonable to be sceptical and check.

I did follow a link from The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to www.safercar.gov/parents/SecuringChild.htm. Under 'Forward-Facing with a Harness' it does mention it. So far that's the only remotely reliable place I've seen it.

[BackOnlyBriefly]

Yes that's the one I found. Anyone found another. Perhaps a UK Gov one or something from the manufacturers?

I found the story about the kid popping out of the seat after a crash, but that didn't actually blame clothing. Though one blogger who posted about it guessed that might be the case.

[Hulababy]

I also thought this was a well known fact, and tbh I find it a bit scary that many people don't reaise it.

Thick coats and snowsuits mean that car seat belts don't fit in the way they should. Remove them and, if necessary, put a blanket over instead. More safe.

TBH in most situations in the UK babies are too bundled up as it is, leading to overheating. It is usually far more safe to a baby to be a too cold than too hot.

[LamaDrama]

I didn't know this.

[PatoBanton]

Has anyone on this thread ever tried putting a snowsuit onto a baby without somewhere to at least sit down - it isn't easy. So if you're going into town or something, no, it would not be just as easy to do it when you get there.

[imofftolisdoonvarna]

I often think that people overdress their babies for car journeys anyway. Unless when you get to your destination you are going to be spending loads of time outside you don't need to put anything on your child anyway.

I always remember my friend leaving my house once. It was a fairly mild October day and she spent about 10 minutes putting as snow suit on her ds,only to get in the car and drive the 20 minutes home! And she isn't the only one. I kind of think snow suits are a bit unnecessary for small babies anyway, surely blankets are better as you can layer them, put them under/over straps etc?

[bigkidsdidit]

Exactly, pato

And I STILL don't see the danger if you don't loosen the straps.

[cakebar]

I don't see the danger if you don't loosen the straps. You can compress the coat yourself.

I am careful about car safety, and I was aware of this advice, but I don't follow it. I do pull the straps as tight as humanely possible. I had a conversation with a fireman once who said that he asks everyone he knows to wrap up for the car as though they are outside, and not to put heating on in the car. He had seen too many people die or suffer complications from hypothermia after they crashed as it can take hours to cut you out of the car and they can't move you to put warm clothing on. You get cold waiting for the emergency services to arrive and that can make you very ill.

The person who can't see the need for snowsuits for babies obviously hasn't done a school run with a buggy, it is hard to get those blankets to stay wrapped around snugly and even small babies get their hands and shoulders out of blankets. If you live a car to building lifestyle then maybe you don't need them.

[intitgrand]

But I don't think the physics behind this makes sense.In a crash the coat compresses as the child is thrown forward so any gap opens up behind the child's body not between the front of the child and the seat belt.And how is it a danger in a reverse facing seat?

[whatshallwedo]

Pato all of the snowsuits I have ever used for dd have been along the same principal as a babygrow.

Lay snowsuit on car seat, lay baby on top of snowsuit, put babies arms and legs into snowsuit, do it up.

I have never put it on her and then travelled in the car, yes it is a faff but sometimes things are when they are baby related.

To the poster who said about using a snowsuit in a pram - I thought that was their main purpose rather than being used in a car.

[TheArticFunky]

I didn't know this. Thanks for starting the thread OP.

[cantthinkofagoodone]

Surprised that some people are being argumentative. Better safe than sorry, surely.

[bigkidsdidit]

If that were true, can't think, you wouldn't take a child in a car at all.

[PatoBanton]

I'm only trying to counter the assertion by some that it is 'no more difficult' to put an all over garment, or indeed any garment, onto a baby when you arrive at destination than at home.

I don't like to see people being dismissive or 'FFS' about stuff like this...people have got reasons for wanting to dress their children before the journey. That doesn't mean that they should, just that yes, it might be more hassle not to.

A child's safety should always come first of course.

[HairyPorter]

I didn't know this either.. Another one who pulls the straps extra tight.. And escape artist DS can't get his arms out of the shoulder straps when he has his coat on (but can if his coat is not on) so I think the fit is more snug when he is in his coat!