Colder weather means bundling up our bundles of joy. But while bulky coats and jackets keep kids safe from the cold, they aren't the best choice when riding in the car. In fact, coats and jackets can interfere with the effectiveness of the car seat's harness, which is not good!
Here's what the American Academy of Pediatrics has to say:
"As a general rule, bulky clothing, including winter coats and snowsuits, should not be worn underneath the harness of a car seat.
In a car crash, fluffy padding in a coat immediately flattens out from the force, leaving extra space under the harness. A child can then slip through the straps and be thrown from the seat."
Pretty scary stuff! But luckily there are precautions you can take and things you can use to keep your kid's safe and warm while riding in the car.
We've listed a few car seat-safe coats, ponchos, and covers below, so be sure to check those out.
Also, here are a few tips for keeping your child warm and safe in the car seat:
- Use thin layers. Close-fitting layers like leggings, bodysuits, and thermals are best.
- Accessories are your friend. Hats, gloves, socks, and boots won't interfere with car seat-safety, so feel free to put the warmest ones on your kids.
- Test the harness. If you can pinch the straps, they are too loose. Tighten them up so there's no loose material.
- Use a coat or blanket that goes over the straps. We have five safe options below.
Buckle Me Baby Coats
$70
from
This innovative coat unzips on one side, allowing the car seat harness to rest right against your child's chest. It can then be zipped up over the harness to keep the little one warm.
It comes in sizes 3 months to 6 years and a variety of colors.
Review: "Amazing!!! Works just as described. Initially I was very nervous spending ~$60 on a toddler coat, but this thing is hands down one of the top 3 parenting tools I've discovered in my 9 years of parenthood. After reading about who invented this coat, I was even more interested (a mom)."
JJ Cole Baby Car Seat Cover
For infants, getting them to wear a coat is a challenge in itself. This car seat cover is made from soft fleece and fits like a blanket around your car seat. It's also weather resistant so it will keep your baby safe from wind and rain.
Review: "The weather has started to get a little chilly here in New York. And having to put a thick jacket on my 8 month old was causing the car seat straps to become compromised. This keeps my daughter warm. I put her in the car seat with a sleeper and socks and a onesie underneath. On top I will put a thick blanket and zip the car seat cover on top of her and carry her this way to the car. It is also water proof. Rained hard the other day and to my surprise she did not get wet."
One Kid Road Coat
Starting at
$125
from
This coat has an inner and outer zipper, which allows you to secure the car seat harness tightly to your child's body. It comes in several adorable prints and patterns and sizes 12 months to 8 years.
Review: "Bought for cold car rides. I liked this one over the other car seat jackets bc it looked warmer and still cute outside of the car. I've gotten a ton of compliments from strangers on how cute it looks on my daughter."
BirdyBoutique Car Seat Poncho
A car seat poncho seems to be an easy solution to keep your child warm while on the road. This poncho acts like a hooded blanket and goes over the car seat. It fits children 6 months to 6 years and is machine washable.
Review: "I was having such a hard time keeping my one year old warm since puffy coats are a no go in a carseat and she’s practicing to be a soccer player or something and kicks off blankets the minute they hit her. This is a perfect solution — warm, functional, easy, and super cute."
Cuddle Club Fleece Baby Bunting
Thin layers are where it's at when it comes to car seat safety. This thin fleece bunting is great for an added layer of warmth. Plus, it comes in 27 adorable prints and characters (think mini astronaut).
Review: "Skip the winter coat altogether! I stressed about my baby/toddlers legs being cold, and also the safety of wearing a puffy coat in the car seat. This solves all of that, plus the photos here don’t compare to how cute my kid looks as a little bear looking or crawling around. SO cute."
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, Mom.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
