Modern Mama Musings

Before I get to the article by Seat Savvy Inc. (the cool mamas from Calgary who are certified carseat techs) that you won’t want to miss, I feel the need to remind you that Sunday October 25 is our event at MUD Salon & Spa and it’s not to be missed!  Registration closes this Thursday and there are a few spots left.  (Mini Massage, Express Mani, hair consult (bang trim!?), Brow wax, makeup by Warpaint discounts, goodies by D’Lish, and more for an astounding price of $75 and all in 2 hours!)  Register NOW!

(PS … become a fan on our Facebook page today and be ready to win!  We are launching our amazing Holiday Events on November 1st and will reward some Facebook Mamas with fantastic prizes, like FREE entry to our upcoming Sephora event!!!  Let’s get to 500 fans!)

As Child Restraint System Technicians we’re often asked how babies and children can be kept protected from the elements, while also staying protected in a car seat. It’s a fact that aftermarket bundle bags, thick bunting bags, slippery nylon snowsuits, and bulky ski jackets are unsafe and not appropriate in a car seat.

Let’s look closer at Bundle Bags…

Over the years, the child passenger safety community and key players like Transport Canada have tried to get the word out about dangerous aftermarket bundle bags. In spite of these warnings, I’m told that Bundle Bags are one of the hottest selling items at local baby boutiques. Many parents ask in total disbelief whether the rumour they heard about bundle bags being unsafe is true or false. The answer is true. For the past 10 years we’ve been begging parents to reconsider the use of bundle bags in their infant’s car seat. Using a bundle bag adds compressible fabric behind the child, while re-routing the harness straps through oddly placed velcro openings, and in some cases gives a false sense of a tight harness. Combine these issues with the fact that most harnesses are left too loose, and you have a recipe for disaster in a collision. So why are they sold? Transport Canada’s mandate is to regulate the actual child restraint systems, but there are no regulations or standards in place to regulate these aftermarket products. Many claim to be crash tested, but there are no specific regulations within CMVSS testing criteria for bundle bags to pass or fail. What we see in real-life post collision investigations is a correlation between increased risk for injury or death due to the partial or total ejection of the child caused by aftermarket products such as Bundle Bags.

So what is a safe alternative? Start by using thin layers on your baby. A onesie, long sleeved shirt, close fitting sweater, lined pants and socks. Cover hands, feet and head. Place baby into car seat and fasten the harness. Once the harness is tightened, cover your baby with blankets, tucking along the sides until baby is cozy and warm. On especially cold days, you can add a shower cap style cover over the entire car seat. This style of cover doesn’t affect the harness at all, and is recommended as a safe alternative to bundle bags. If you’d rather use a form of outer wear on your baby, look for a well fitting, thin polar fleece one piece suit. Once secured in their car seat, you can add blankets overtop of the child to add an additional layer of warmth. Outdoor stores like Mountain Equipment Co-op, L.L. Bean, Lands End, and Columbia all have versions of thin, warm one piece fleece suits, that when used correctly, are safe for use in a car seat.

Let’s look closer at thick snowsuits…

For most parents it comes as a total shock to hear that thick, puffy, slippery or otherwise bulky winter wear is unsafe in a car seat or booster seat. The reason for this is simple. Using thick or puffy winter wear forces you to loosen the harness to accomodate the bulk of the coat. In a crash, your child is thrown forward into the harness or seatbelt, causing the fabric of the coat to compress. What seems like a tight harness or appropriately adjusted seatbelt will be far too loose in a crash, leaving the child at risk for serious injury or ejection. If the coat is slippery the harness is more likely to slide off the child’s shoulders, increasing their risk for injury.

So what is a safe alternative for toddlers? Start by using thin layers on your child. An undershirt, long sleeved shirt, well-fitting hoodie, cords, jeans, or lined pants. Layer a thin polar fleece coat or sweater overtop of their clothing, and cover hands, feet and head. Once secured in their car seat, cover with a blanket, tucking it in along their sides. Layering a child is key to keeping them warm.

What is a safe alternative for school aged children? In the morning start with thin layers. Once dressed add a thin but warm polar fleece sweater overtop. If snowpants are a must, be sure they fit your child well. Tempting as it is, don’t buy your child’s snowsuit two sizes too big. Once at school and out of the vehicle, have them slip their puffy coat on overtop of their fleece sweater. Many snowsuits come with a zip-out fleece liner which is ideal for use in the car.

Image depicts how lose the straps really are, after a puffy winter jacket has been removed.

Angie Aben and Toni Timpano are Certified Child Restraint Systems Techncians, and owners of Seat Savvy, Inc. With a combined ten years experience in the child passenger safety field, they are dedicated to educating parents on the proper use and installation of their child’s car seat, encourage best practice recommendations, and liaise with fellow technicians across North America. Regular consultation with Transport Canada and daily research make them two of Alberta’s most up to date and reputable technicians.