Nedra
Car-Seat.org Ambassador
So once I found out that kids CAN wear a coat in the car as long as it is thin enough that it compresses when the harness is as snug as usual, I have started to wonder about the pros and cons of each method and why folks would pick each one. Here are my thoughts, please add to them if you have more ideas.
Method: Thin layers and/or jacket on backwards over the straps
Pros: Can buy any coat you want so a relatively inexpensive option. Kid doesn't get overheated in the car because they can kick off the jacket if they want.
Cons: It's a pain to take the jacket off when you get out to the car. For those of us in very cold climates, it can be physically painful to be in the car before it is heated up -- let alone without a coat. (There are days when it's so cold *I* would throw a fit if asked to remove my coat in the cold car.) If you have more than one car seat in the back seat, it may be difficult or impossible to sit in the back seat with the child and help him/her get out of the jacket and into the seat.
Method: Buy a car seat poncho or cozywoggle.
Pros: Harness is tight against whatever clothes the child can normally wear under a coat. Coat does not need to be fully removed.
Cons: Ponchos don't look warm enough for the coldest weather. Both options involve fastening the harness under a coat, which seems cumbersome to me, but I haven't tried it.
Method: Buy a thin, car seat safe coat.
Pros: Convenient. The kid gets into the car seat and is strapped in with no additional steps (once it's been determined that the coat is safe for them to wear in the car seat).
Cons: The insulation that makes these coats thin-but-warm can also be more expensive. Can't buy a size up for them to grow into because the extra fabric may be too bulky in the meantime. Kid is trapped in the hot coat even after the car heats up (can't shed a layer).
Anything I am missing? Which method do you prefer and why? We live in MN and so this is on our minds!
Method: Thin layers and/or jacket on backwards over the straps
Pros: Can buy any coat you want so a relatively inexpensive option. Kid doesn't get overheated in the car because they can kick off the jacket if they want.
Cons: It's a pain to take the jacket off when you get out to the car. For those of us in very cold climates, it can be physically painful to be in the car before it is heated up -- let alone without a coat. (There are days when it's so cold *I* would throw a fit if asked to remove my coat in the cold car.) If you have more than one car seat in the back seat, it may be difficult or impossible to sit in the back seat with the child and help him/her get out of the jacket and into the seat.
Method: Buy a car seat poncho or cozywoggle.
Pros: Harness is tight against whatever clothes the child can normally wear under a coat. Coat does not need to be fully removed.
Cons: Ponchos don't look warm enough for the coldest weather. Both options involve fastening the harness under a coat, which seems cumbersome to me, but I haven't tried it.
Method: Buy a thin, car seat safe coat.
Pros: Convenient. The kid gets into the car seat and is strapped in with no additional steps (once it's been determined that the coat is safe for them to wear in the car seat).
Cons: The insulation that makes these coats thin-but-warm can also be more expensive. Can't buy a size up for them to grow into because the extra fabric may be too bulky in the meantime. Kid is trapped in the hot coat even after the car heats up (can't shed a layer).
Anything I am missing? Which method do you prefer and why? We live in MN and so this is on our minds!