WWYD?

dragonfly8 · Aug 9, 2010

Kaden is ERF in his True Fit. I am very happy he is still RF at 28.5 months old. Here's the problem though.

Where we live, it gets extremely hot. His TF is nice and dark, plushy and he's in there good (as of course, he should be). Poor kid is dripping wet when I take him out of the seat, and the past few days has kept saying "hot" when I put him in it. We have air conditioning in the vehicle, and even at full blast, he doesn't seem to feel the cool air.

I'm not ready for him to turn FF. What would you do? He sits behind the passenger, it's the only place his seat fits well. His older brother sits in the center in his FF RN. His poor little cheeks are so rosy, his hair is sweaty...............

What would you do? Suggest?

It was 34C here today, with the humidity it felt like 40C

Right now, it's almost 8pm, and it says it feels like 42.............that's hot!

delgirrrl · Aug 9, 2010

Oh your poor little man! this is a serious issue though, overheating is dangerous as well as uncomfortable.

Tucked away RF, he's obviously not benefitting from the cold air movement from the AC, whilst also be exposed to additional heat coming in through the glass. Can you do anything to reduce the amount of heat coming to him through the glass (ie shades on the windows?) I'd look to do that for a starters.

Also, the plush fabric is likely making him sweat too. I wonder if you could get a piece of light coloured cool natural fibre fabric (cotton, hemp, etc, maybe even an old sheet, and cut holes in it for the straps, having that between him and the seat?

And the all time winner: iceblocks (or popsicles, or whatever you guys call the frozen liquid on a stick that kids love)

dragonfly8 · Aug 9, 2010

The windows have factory tint (which of course, is next to nothing) and we do have a sunshade on that one window.

I hesitate giving him any type of ice, ice packs etc because he's at the age that he's putting EVERYTHING into his mouth

and no matter how much I ask him not to, he does it. Plus, with this heat, a popsicle would melt in a matter of minutes and I can't even imagine the mess we'd have............

I try to not take him out as much possible but rather hang out in our air conditioned house, but sometimes we have to leave.

Would a thin material actually cool it off? or would it add another layer to let him sweat into?

I really don't want to turn him FF just so the air will reach him, but I'm beginning to think I may not have another option............

I just don't know what "the right" thing to do is in this situation.

amyd · Aug 9, 2010

I'd make sure I was always draping the seat with a light coloured sheet or blanket when the car was parked so the seat itself didn't get too hot. You could also start the car & run the a/c before you leave when possible. What about one of those little handheld fans with the soft foam blades? Would giving him one of those help perhaps? If you were in a climate that was hot most of the time, I might even suggest getting a lighter coloured cover or one that's less plush (I find that my son sweats less in the True Fit when I have the Sporty Blue cover on it vs. the Misty Morning one). I know we only have another 2-4 weeks of serious heat here...not sure how much is left for you out west, though.

delgirrrl · Aug 9, 2010

dragonfly8 said:
The windows have factory tint (which of course, is next to nothing) and we do have a sunshade on that one window.

.

Could you put one on the rear windshield too?

dragonfly8 said:
Would a thin material actually cool it off? or would it add another layer to let him sweat into?

I think it might help, for 2 reasons, one the lighter fabric won't be holding the heat like the plush dark cover, so it will be cooler to get into, but also, the synthetic fabric of the plush cover is sweat inducing. I'd give it a try anyway

I'm a big fan of ERF, and you've done really well staying RF this long, but heatstroke is also a safety issue, and from what you've said, maybe a higher likelihood than a crash. So if you can't find a solution, then maybe you could consider FF as the safest option for him. You can always go back to RF when things cool down! (I turned my son back RF at abour 26 mths, and he loved it!!)

featherhead · Aug 9, 2010

Do you have all the vents pointed up towards the ceiling? That way the cool air bounces off the ceiling and back down into the back seat.

dragonfly8 · Aug 9, 2010

featherhead said:
Do you have all the vents pointed up towards the ceiling? That way the cool air bounces off the ceiling and back down into the back seat.

Vents are pointed all over the place................

simplychels · Aug 9, 2010

As annoying as it is sometimes, I just have opted to drive with my back windows half, or fully open (depending on vehicle speed) for her. Even if its warm air, it circulates better and keeps her cooler, so she says.

marciemp · Aug 12, 2010

I was going to suggest that as well, crack the rear windows a but so the air circulates better. If it is really hot in your car start it and run the air for 5 minutes or so like you would with the heater in the winter. Also covering the seat with something every time you take him out of it, so the sun doesn't shine on it and make it warm, because if the seat is warm when you put him in he will get hot so fast.

Good your getting some hot weather this summer though, Calgary's weather has been horrible, rainy, cold the whole summer. In any case don't worry it won't last too long, it will be snowing in 2 months!

selinajean · Aug 12, 2010

Good suggestions so far!

I find our TF very warm as well. It hasn't been very hot here in AB but when we get back to BC I am going to have to deal with the same issue.

I was just thinking that a few big rice packs might do the rick too. You can keep them in the freezer and move them to his seat 10 minutes before you leave, just to bring down the temp of the seat itself. Then leave them in the car for him to play with while you drive. When you get home, put them back in the freezer. It will take a couple of trips to get used to the process but I think it should work.

WWYD?

dragonfly8

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