Random Parenting Question

charlotte989875

I don’t want to take up the daily post with all things parenting but could use some advice or a random question. 

Baby loves to go for walks in the stroller and it’s like magic when he’s crying. What do people do when it’s cold (and indoor walking options are possible because of a pandemic?). I know snowsuits in a car seat aren’t cool, but he’s too little not to use the car seat attachment in the stroller. Blankets? Car seat cover? He likes to look out. 

Thanks for any thoughts. I feel like this is probably an obvious one but I’m tired. 

banana468

For car rides we just packed the kids with blankets on top.   You could also go w/ one of these.

https://www.amazon.com/JJ-Cole-Weather-Resistant-Herringbone/dp/B00P1BDGEU?ref_=ws_cp_c3daa2c950e2b444d06c_p_1_t_p

Jstump2

@charlotte989875 We still go walking in cold weather unless it is super bitterly cold (like under 20 degrees). Snowsuits are only a no-no in carseats when used in the car because they interfere with how tight the straps can get. If used in a stroller it is a non-issue as long as you re-adjust straps before use in the car again. We also use blankets and a shower-cap style car seat cover that folds down so face is still out with a warm hat

ILoveBeachMusic

I was going to say what @Jstump2 said. Snowsuits are only a no-go in cars, not strollers. Unless it is dangerously cold, go for it - it's very good for all involved to get out in the fresh air!

banana468

Also a good point @Jstump2!.   If you're going on that walk from the house then there's no issue using the snow suit.    The big no no for the car seats is coats, anything sold from a 3rd party that goes IN the car seat and anything that goes under straps.  The thing I showed goes over the top so it's better for car rides if you're out in the cold. 

FWIW, same rule applies as kids get older.   My 6 yo is still in a convertible and we do not have the kids in the car with coats on.  He may wear a fleece and hold the coat for those times we need to go somewhere in winter.  It's probably a pain in upstate NY but is SO much safer. 

Jstump2

@banana468 yup! I take car seat safety seriously but also made me realize I have been guilty of unsafe practice for myself, as the same goes for adults wearing winter coats in the car. I now warm up my car in the morning wear light fleece jackets for the kids and bring puffy coats to put on when we get there if we are going to be outside. I also have blankets that live in my car, Lol. I still feel like I get judged by the older generations because my kids arent wearing winter coats if we are just running a quick errand and time outside is minimal I don't bother but oh-well.

banana468

Jstump2 said:

@banana468 yup! I take car seat safety seriously but also made me realize I have been guilty of unsafe practice for myself, as the same goes for adults wearing winter coats in the car. I now warm up my car in the morning wear light fleece jackets for the kids and bring puffy coats to put on when we get there if we are going to be outside. I also have blankets that live in my car, Lol. I still feel like I get judged by the older generations because my kids arent wearing winter coats if we are just running a quick errand and time outside is minimal I don't bother but oh-well.

Agreed.   My parents look at me like I'm crazy and I have to remind them that the car isn't cold!  

I am sometimes guilty of wearing the coat in the car however the one difference is that there's at least the function of the modern safety belt for the driver vs. no snap in a child's 5 point.  

You just reminded me to get fleeces for the kids! 

mrsconn23

For when he gets older; I've seen people put the coat on kids backward (almost like a snuggie) once they've strapped them into the car seat.  It only works if the coat doesn't have a hood or a removable one.  We used to layer DefConn with long sleeves and a fleece hoodie.  He then had a blanket.  He's always been a warm body, so he never needed many layers.  Once he's strapped in, you can shove a blanket around the lower half of his body if you're worried about him being cold. It's all about the seat being installed correctly and then the straps and chest clip being in the correct place and tight. 

Walks and whatnot, a coat or snowsuit is fine as others have said.  I better get some baby in snowsuit pics.  It's my second fave baby look to babies in hats. 

ILoveBeachMusic

Serious question (because I knew about the no coats for kids). Are adults not suppose to wear coats in a car either? I have never heard that. I hate wearing coats anyway so very seldom wear one in the car but will if it is really cold outside (I don't warm up my car before getting in it).

missJeanLouise

Re: adults in coats in the car. My mom, a 40+ year nurse, told me you shouldn't wear your coat in the car because your body gets used to the temperature in the coat in the car and then the temperature is only going to drop when you get out of the car. So take your coat off in the car... This could be complete, dont go out with wet hair nonsense but it make sense to me.

banana468

ILoveBeachMusic said:

Serious question (because I knew about the no coats for kids). Are adults not suppose to wear coats in a car either? I have never heard that. I hate wearing coats anyway so very seldom wear one in the car but will if it is really cold outside (I don't warm up my car before getting in it).

It isn't a great idea but it's far more problematic with car seats for kids.   

With an adult's car seat the strap has a spring and will actually tighten if there is a crash or sudden stop.  An extremely bulky coat will compress more though and will mean that a person can sustain more neck trauma before the strap compresses and pulls the grown up back. 

With a child's car seat there is no spring mechanism.   The seat is tightened and if the child is wearing a coat then the order of magnitude of compression is far worse for the child especially because the child's bones are still growing and softer than an adult's. 

Jstump2

@ILoveBeachMusic On the car seat safety group I'm a part of (run by certified CPST) I have read adults shouldn't either because it could possibly interfere with the way the seat belt reacts ( More so the really puffy coats.)

STARMOON44

In NJ/NYC where lots of people are out walking with strollers in winter loads of people use the 7am Enfant products. Not for use in a car seat while driving but omg snuggly warm perfection fir walking. I’m always jealous of kids with them. 

short+sassy

ILoveBeachMusic said:

Serious question (because I knew about the no coats for kids). Are adults not suppose to wear coats in a car either? I have never heard that. I hate wearing coats anyway so very seldom wear one in the car but will if it is really cold outside (I don't warm up my car before getting in it).

I was really surprised by this also.  I don't have the ability to warm up my car ahead of time, nor is it that necessary in my "it only snows in a blue moon" area.  My car is NOT warm and really doesn't get that warm until I've been driving for a good 10 minutes.

I keep wearing my coat, gloves, scarf, and winter hat while I'm driving.  Thanks for all the comments, PPs.  I think I'm still fine (seatbelt wise) because my coats aren't bulky.  

MissKittyDanger

2 things 

1 - do you have a bouncer?
if no - get one

2 - how old is kiddo by like January?
if over 5m, you can do snowsuit in "big kid" part of stroller. BabyKitten was just about 7m in December and we did snowsuit in "big kid" part of stroller for the santa clause parade.
I had done a walk ONCE before snowsuit when she was 5m and I swear it was a game changer. She loved seeing everything.

this is what I mean by 'big kid' part fyi:

https://instagram.com/p/CDRdQeolzCt/embed/

ILoveBeachMusic

Thanks for the info. Like I said, I knew about kids but had no idea about adults.

Casadena

We have one of the car seat covers like @banana468 linked.  We also had stocking cap, mittens, fleece velcro booties, a coat, and packed blankets under the car seat "boot".  We did walks last winter almost every day!

ETA: We actually have the exact cover that is linked and it's really great!

banana468

ILoveBeachMusic said:

Thanks for the info. Like I said, I knew about kids but had no idea about adults.

Also, if you're driving a modern car with an airbag the hand positional previously taught of "at 10 and 2 o'clock" has been moved to 9 and 3.   This is because should an airbag deploy the positioning of the hands/arms at 10 and 2 may turn your arms into weapons.  

I have not seen this but DH and friends know others who have injured themselves in car accidents because they punched themselves in the face as the air bag inflated. 

MissKittyDanger

@charlotte989875 btw if you don't already have it - get mitts with ties or buy the separate clips. Older kiddo gets, more necessary. BabyKitten tosses shit constantly and we lost sunglasses due to it.

OliveOilsMom

We had one of those car seat cover things for DD and she always pushed it open!  It was so funny, like she would see light peeking out and push it down to see what was going on!  She is still like that, with FOMO during daycare naps and why at home it is "quiet playtime"!

Another option would be to wear baby, if you have a jacket big enough that he can fit inside it with you comfortably and safely.  I've also see some wearable detachable blankets that you can attach to baby carriers to act as a blanket for babies.  Not sure how well they work, we never had one.  They also may not be very practical for your winter weather!

Also, for probably next year, we had to get a special winter hat for DD because she otherwise would also take it off.  It was kinda like a hood and it tucked down into the jacket, so she couldn't pull it off.  I found it on Amazon.

MissKittyDanger

@OliveOilsMom mine never liked covers. Too nosy lmao

ei34

Another vote for the warmest snowsuit you have for baby M and keep the walks going. As long as it was over 20 we were outside each day.

charlotte989875

Thanks everyone this is all so helpful!! I was really worried we’d have to cut our walks short and he (and I) love them. I’m really glad to know we can do snowsuits/jackets in the car seat when it’s in the stroller! 

Here’s him on his walk saying thanks for all the help! 

ETA: this was when we were home and the wheels were locked. He’s always strapped in! 

charlotte989875

MissKittyDanger said:

2 things 

1 - do you have a bouncer?
if no - get one

2 - how old is kiddo by like January?
if over 5m, you can do snowsuit in "big kid" part of stroller. BabyKitten was just about 7m in December and we did snowsuit in "big kid" part of stroller for the santa clause parade.
I had done a walk ONCE before snowsuit when she was 5m and I swear it was a game changer. She loved seeing everything.

this is what I mean by 'big kid' part fyi:

https://instagram.com/p/CDRdQeolzCt/embed/

That’s really helpful to remember; he’ll be 6 months in February so we can front face him in the jogger then!

mrsconn23

OMG, he is so sweet @charlotte989875.  I want to kiss those little cheeks.

charlotte989875

mrsconn23 said:

OMG, he is so sweet @charlotte989875.  I want to kiss those little cheeks.

The cheeks are out of control! It’s like he’s storing up for winter. 

MissKittyDanger

@charlotte989875 cutie!!!
Also no judgement on straps. I definitely didn't probably clip BabyKitten in during walks - mostly because she'd over heat and I'd have to take our out a lot {downside of summer babies lol}

cupcait927

Ugh he is so stinkin cute!

ILoveBeachMusic

OMG he's adorable.

STARMOON44

MissKittyDanger said:

@charlotte989875 cutie!!!
Also no judgement on straps. I definitely didn't probably clip BabyKitten in during walks - mostly because she'd over heat and I'd have to take our out a lot {downside of summer babies lol}

I never thought this was a big deal until I saw someone hit a curb with the edge of the stroller wheel and the baby fell out. One of the scariest things I have ever witnessed.

cupcait927

STARMOON44 said:

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MissKittyDanger said:

@charlotte989875 cutie!!!
Also no judgement on straps. I definitely didn't probably clip BabyKitten in during walks - mostly because she'd over heat and I'd have to take our out a lot {downside of summer babies lol}

I never thought this was a big deal until I saw someone hit a curb with the edge of the stroller wheel and the baby fell out. One of the scariest things I have ever witnessed.

My husband thinks I'm overreacting sometimes about the safety measures I take (always strapping DD in appropriately in the stroller or high chair) but it's experiences like the one you witnessed that make me glad I follow safety guidelines.