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Original poster

Do you do coats in car seats?

143 replies

countdowntobaby2020 · 30/11/2023 21:32

I always thought coats in car seats were a big safety no so when doing the nursery run both my kids (3 and 1) travel in normal clothes with a blanket over the car seat. Then when we arrive at nursery it's literally straight in (I'm talking seconds) so I don't put the coats on, same on the return journey. I've stuck to this the last 3 years but on these last few days where it's been really cold I've just felt really guilty when literally every other child is getting out their car with winter coats on and I feel like they must think i'm crazy!
So just wanting a wider view, is this just a thing at my nursery or does everyone do big coats in car seats and I'm the odd one out?!

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PuttingDownRoots · 30/11/2023 21:34

No. Its very easy to cover them with a blanket when cold. I had fleeces a size or so too big that fitted over their normal clothes too.

Many people don't realise he potential danger

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 30/11/2023 21:36

Not a chance and even as adults we don't wear our coats with a seat belt. Very dangerous.

wishuponastar1988 · 30/11/2023 21:37

No my toddler doesn't travel in a coat. She's in the car seat with indoor clothes and a blanket when it's really cold. Then I whip her out the car and into nursery.

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Lavender14 · 30/11/2023 21:38

No, I just put ds in his coat when we arrive at nursery. On collection I just take him straight out because we're jumping straight in the car and don't need to wait for the door being opened.

Weallnamechangesometimes · 30/11/2023 21:38

Put the child in the seat do up the straps and put the coat or a blanket over them. Much safer most people don't realise the safety implications.

SisterMichaelsHabit · 30/11/2023 21:38

We actually can't fasten the seatbelt in the car seat for DS1 if he's wearing his coat. It's a good reminder to take it off and drape it over him. I put it back on him the second he gets out of the car.

Cocothepoodle · 30/11/2023 21:39

No never

TeddyBeans · 30/11/2023 21:40

Absolutely not! Anything thicker than a fleece lined shower proof jacket is too thick and potentially life threatening in an accident

bettynutkins · 30/11/2023 21:41

No never put coats on in the car

donkey86 · 30/11/2023 21:41

Nope, no coats on in the car for any age. Passengers can have blankets and as the driver I just suck it up or put the heating on!

rainbowsparkle28 · 30/11/2023 21:41

Forget what other people are doing you know the safety reasons for not wearing the coat so go with this, you cannot control other people's actions. Your child will be fine. If you are concerned about them being cold then you can always put a blanket over once they are strapped in.

Brumbies · 30/11/2023 21:41

Yes always keep my coat on and that of my gd in the car.

googledidnthelp · 30/11/2023 21:42

No, never. i too feel a bit bad ds2 will feel cold but I still carry him in and hit him close the 60 seconds tops it takes to get him in. Although he refuses blanket in the car and I do worry it doesn't warm up quick enough. Although he never complains.

Coming out isn't too bad as nursery put his coat on so he is fine getting into an already week car.

MrsTerryPratchett · 30/11/2023 21:45

It's been years since DD needed a car seat or will wear a coat. But my vague rule was that her straps were tight normally. So if they would fasten over a coat (really squish to nothing puffer for example) it was fine. Anything bulky they wouldn't, so it went over the top.

Mumaway · 30/11/2023 21:50

I only recently read about the coats thing on Mumsnet. My DDs always had their coats or snowsuits on, it's winter. It's a balance of risks I suppose. . .

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 30/11/2023 21:54

Thin mac style coats yes, like the thin fleece covered in showerproof material.

Definitely nothing thicker, and no padded or snowsuit types either!

OhpoorMe · 30/11/2023 21:55

Mumaway · 30/11/2023 21:50

I only recently read about the coats thing on Mumsnet. My DDs always had their coats or snowsuits on, it's winter. It's a balance of risks I suppose. . .

Why what's the risk of using a blanket not a coat?

Quickredfox · 30/11/2023 21:56

Nope, coat over the top if they want it after they are buckled in.

Soapon · 30/11/2023 21:58

Nope blanket in the car here. But I do see it a lot at nursery, as well as under 2 year olds forward facing.

lookingforaholiday · 30/11/2023 21:59

You're doing the right thing, don't question yourself, the seat beats are effective enough with lots of padding, please don't change for the sake of perception x

Starlightstarbright2 · 30/11/2023 22:04

I was a childminder for 10 years. No winter coats in cars .

Not everyone knows this hopefully your post raises a little more awareness

Onceuponaheartache · 30/11/2023 22:14

Absolutely no coats on in cars. Dd is no longer in a car seat but it is still a huge no.

Other parents need to educate themselves.

saveforthat · 30/11/2023 22:18

OK I didn't know this (I don't have any young children,) but what is the problem with coats in a car?

WonderLife · 30/11/2023 22:20

saveforthat · 30/11/2023 22:18

OK I didn't know this (I don't have any young children,) but what is the problem with coats in a car?

The air in the coat would be compressed in an accident meaning the straps are lose and wouldn't contain the child.

Lavender14 · 30/11/2023 22:21

saveforthat · 30/11/2023 22:18

OK I didn't know this (I don't have any young children,) but what is the problem with coats in a car?

In the moment of an impact, the puffy coat compresses because of the force, meaning the straps on the car seat are suddenly too loose so the child could be thrown out of the car seat in the moment of impact which can be fatal.