By Heather Cresswell, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Figuring out how to dress your baby for cold Canadian winters can be tricky. Of course, you want your baby to be bundled up and warm when you step outside, but bulky winter clothing and blankets can make a car seat unsafe. Read on to learn more about keeping your baby warm and safe in a car seat this winter!
Why winter coats and snowsuits are dangerous in car seats
Once your baby is in your car seat and you’ve secured the buckles, the car seat straps should be tight enough to pass the “pinch test” (see box below). The pinch test ensures the straps are tight enough to keep your baby secure in case of a crash.
Winter clothing often has a “fluffy” lining for warmth. This lining or padding can make it seem like the car seat straps are tight enough when they are not. In a crash, the padding in a coat will flatten, leaving the straps loose enough for a baby to be seriously injured. There should never be bulky or fluffy layers between your baby and their car seat or the straps.
Some retailers sell “car seat coats” that open in the front for buckling but leave a bulky layer over the baby or child’s back. These are unsafe. Bulky layers underneath a baby or child can interfere with car seat safety.
How to do a “pinch test” After positioning your baby in the car seat and tightening the straps, pinch the strap just above the chest clip at the collarbone level. You should not be able to pinch the strap and hold it in your fingers. If you can pinch the strap, it is too loose. Check out this video for a pinch test demonstration. |
Are winter car seat covers and bags safe?
Many stores and online sells offer “car seat covers” or “car seat bags” (sometimes called other names as well). These look like warm and cozy sleeping bags that fit into a car seat, sometimes with cut-outs for the straps to fit through. Any product that fits between your baby and the car seat (including underneath your baby) or the car seat straps is unsafe.
Some car seat covers fit only over the top of the car seat. These covers should only be added after your baby is properly secured in the car seat. Only use a car seat cover if no layer is underneath your baby. If you are using a car seat cover like this, you should always be able to see your baby’s face to ensure proper airflow.
How to keep your baby safe and warm in a car seat
The answer to keeping your baby warm while buckled into a car seat is layers!
Dress your baby in thin layers of clothing that will not compress and interfere with being securely strapped into a car seat. You can start with a close-fitting long-sleeve onesie or body suit, add pants, a warm top and a sweater or thin jacket. Don’t forget warm socks, a hat and mittens.
Once your baby is safely and securely strapped into their seat (don’t forget the pinch test!), add a warm blanket. You can also buy hooded poncho blankets (sometimes called car seat ponchos). Or, try this trick: after your baby is buckled, put a winter coat on backwards (over their arms and covering them like a blanket).
Winter car seat safety can be tricky and inconvenient. Once you get to the car, you may need to remove bulky coats before strapping a baby or child in, and you may need to carry extra layers and blankets. But knowing your child is as safe as possible makes it all worth it.
General car seat safety refresher
Here are a few resources to review general car seats safely. If you are still in the NICU with your baby, read up and familiarize yourself with your car seat well before discharge!
Check out these resources:
Your car seat manual. There are many brands and models of car seats, and if you are still in the NICU, your nurse will not be familiar with all of them. Read your manual, bring it the first time you put your baby in the car seat, and keep a copy in your car.
Transport Canada. Be familiar with Transport Canada car seat guidelines.
Provincial and territory guidelines. Each province and territory may have their own car seat weight and age guidelines. Visit your provincial websites for more information.
Manufacturer’s videos. Many car seat manufacturers have videos on their website or YouTube demonstrating how to install the seat and secure your baby.
Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada. This organization offers online resources and certifies Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs). You may be able to find a car seat clinic near you, and some CPSTs also offer paid consultations.
Some local police or fire departments may offer car seat safety resources.
Parents who use a car seat technician or another service to install a car seat must still be familiar with installing and using their car seat safely.
The safest car seat is one installed and used correctly.
Sources:
Winter car seat safety tips: Keeping kids safe & warm. (n.d.). HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Winter-Car-Seat-Safety-Tips.aspx
Canada, T. (2019, October 4). Child car seat safety. Transport Canada. https://tc.canada.ca/en/road-transportation/child-car-seat-safety
Canada, T. (2019, October 7). Choosing a child car seat or booster seat. Transport Canada. https://tc.canada.ca/en/road-transportation/child-car-seat-safety/choosing-child-car-seat-booster-seat
Heather Cresswell is a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner and health writer. As a nursing student in 1995, Heather discovered the NICU during a clinical placement and never looked back. She has spent her entire nursing career (more than 25 years and counting) caring for NICU patients (premature babies are her favourite!). When not caring for her tiny patients, Heather is also a health writer and is happy to contribute to the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation.
Heather lives with her family in Burlington, Ontario, and is a proud mom to one son.
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