Car seats - winter clothes

[seven201]

I am a bit stumped on what to actually dress my recently turned 1 year old in. I know coats aren't allowed in car seats. I have to get her in the car for 3 min drive, then out of the car for 2 mins while I take her sister to the door for breakfast club (she'd scream if I left her, not that I would!), then back in the car for 5 min drive, then out for the 3 min walk to get inside nursery. I'm not wanting to wrestle her in and out of the coat 3 times but it's getting cold. Should I buy her a thin fleece and that would be allowed in the car? Do other people just do lots of putting coat on and off? I don't have the time or patience for those shenanigans.

A poncho of some type?

I had a tuppence and crumble star wrap. Not to wear in the car seat but easy to throw over them quickly when they get out.

I used to put ds in a vest, top, sweater, rain jacket and hat for those really quick turnaround things and just carry him and put a blanket round him in the car to keep him cosy. Then put his proper coat on for him going into nursery for the day. If the weather is snowy or really awful I have a light weight but fleece lined puddlesuit. It's really cosy but it's very thin so it feels ok for wearing in the carseat. I don't need to adjust the straps to put him in wearing it than I would if he were just in a jumper.

For the amount of time they're out of the car seat, and given their age, just don't worry about it. My DS is 16 months and we have a similar situation with nursery school drop off for the eldest and I just carry him in his indoor clothes. It's only a matter of minutes and you're carrying them so they have your heat. You could always wrap a blanket around them, or stick a hat on, but don't overthink it - they're really not going to die from being a bit cold for a minute or two

I'd keep a blanket and hat in the car and just wrap her up in it and carry her for such short times.

Honestly though, I wouldn't be taking the car at all. I hate all that faff in and out of car seats for such short journeys. I'd walk or cycle any day over all that buckling and unbuckling.

Yes, thin layers are better than bulky coats.

And a hat.

Also a blanket over them, kept in the radiator in the hall to raid out rather than in the car overnight.

I did thinner layers, hat and gloves, and a warm blanket for the car. At that age I'd prob bundle her in the blanket and carry if genuinely only a couple of mins outside.

Just a warm jumper is fine as long as her feet are covered (not barefoot). You will be holding her no doubt so she will have your body heat as well.

I presume dropping toddler first is a completely illogical journey?

Thank you everyone. She had a tuppence and crumble wrap when younger - I had been thinking of that and just putting on at home and leaving on until at nursery. I'm annoyed I sold on her old one as she'd probably still fit in it!

I can't walk or cycle unfortunately as I just wouldn't make it to work on time. Also do have to drop the older one off first. She doesn't like the car (never has) so this getting in and out is no fun!

Thank you, I'm going to give these a try and not overthink her being out of the car in the cold just for a few mins.

I bought from Etsy a fleece blanket with loose sleeves that you put on front ways like a hairdressers cape and put that on her in the car and carried her into nursery like that to keep warm. On really cold days I warmed it on the radiator first. Plus a hat and that worked well.

Thank you, I've not heard of those. I'll have a google