Winter coat Debacle
I would like to talk about something that I see on a regular basis this time every year, on Facebook, Twitter, and every other form of social media. Before we have children none of us are aware of all that comes with kids, until we finally have one of our own. Specifically how to properly us a car seat.
When I had my first baby I new we would need a car seat, but also didn't know how to us one. I read the manual and tried installing it before the baby came. But at the time I didn't realize how important using it properly was. That putting something like a winter jacket on a child while in a car seat could be so dangerous. The straps must be just tight enough that you can't pinch then, but snug enough that you can only put to fingers under the shoulder when it's tight. When front facing the straps must be positioned just above the shoulders, In rear facing mode the straps must be positioned just below the shoulder.
What aggravates me is when I keep seeing parents posting photos with their kids buckled into their car seat in these big thick jackets. The straps twisted and the coat bulging out from the straps. It boggles my mind how parents can think this is safe! If that parent was to put the child in the car seat (in the jacket) and tighten the straps like usual. Then take the child out (without loosening the straps) take the jacket off, and put the child back into the seat. How tight do you think those straps would be? If the jacket is not compressible(Example: down filled jackets) or about the thickness of a sweater they are not safe in a car seat. I would recommend a Car Seat Poncho, they look kinda funny but work great if your child can stand not having there hands out. This is what my son hated and I ended up investing in what we call his car seat coat.
I am not a child safety technician. But I have been told by many that it is not safe. How do you try to tell these people that what they think is safe, is in fact not safe at all! I still don't know how to tell people that their child is not safe like that. Or when I see it in a picture that a parent hasn't taken the time to adjust the height of the straps on the car seat. The straps are at the same position as when they got it out of the box. The straps start at the middle of the child's back! When the child is front facing the straps should be positioned above the shoulders. This all aggravates me to no end seeing all these pictures. But don't take it from me! I am just a mom of 3 that has educated her self over the years asked questions and watched all the safety videos. Your choice is yours.
If anyone wants to know the type of coat we us please just comment!
When I had my first baby I new we would need a car seat, but also didn't know how to us one. I read the manual and tried installing it before the baby came. But at the time I didn't realize how important using it properly was. That putting something like a winter jacket on a child while in a car seat could be so dangerous. The straps must be just tight enough that you can't pinch then, but snug enough that you can only put to fingers under the shoulder when it's tight. When front facing the straps must be positioned just above the shoulders, In rear facing mode the straps must be positioned just below the shoulder.
What aggravates me is when I keep seeing parents posting photos with their kids buckled into their car seat in these big thick jackets. The straps twisted and the coat bulging out from the straps. It boggles my mind how parents can think this is safe! If that parent was to put the child in the car seat (in the jacket) and tighten the straps like usual. Then take the child out (without loosening the straps) take the jacket off, and put the child back into the seat. How tight do you think those straps would be? If the jacket is not compressible(Example: down filled jackets) or about the thickness of a sweater they are not safe in a car seat. I would recommend a Car Seat Poncho, they look kinda funny but work great if your child can stand not having there hands out. This is what my son hated and I ended up investing in what we call his car seat coat.
I am not a child safety technician. But I have been told by many that it is not safe. How do you try to tell these people that what they think is safe, is in fact not safe at all! I still don't know how to tell people that their child is not safe like that. Or when I see it in a picture that a parent hasn't taken the time to adjust the height of the straps on the car seat. The straps are at the same position as when they got it out of the box. The straps start at the middle of the child's back! When the child is front facing the straps should be positioned above the shoulders. This all aggravates me to no end seeing all these pictures. But don't take it from me! I am just a mom of 3 that has educated her self over the years asked questions and watched all the safety videos. Your choice is yours.
If anyone wants to know the type of coat we us please just comment!
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