We want to avoid having a lot of bulky clothing inside the harnessing system in the child restraint. Because in a crash all the bulk will squish down and the harness straps will be loose. Car seat technicians say to put nothing thicker than a sweatshirt on your child under the harness straps of a car seat.
Dress your baby or toddler in thin layers of clothing.
Cover this with pants and a shirt or sweater. Some polar fleece jackets and snowsuits are thin and snug-fitting enough to be used in a car seat. (Sherpa fleece is too bulky.)
Toddlers (12 to 36 months) should not wear hoodies as they can get hung up in objects while crawling or playing, accidentally suffocating themselves. If still insisting on letting your toddler wear a hoodie, then allow only hoodies without drawstrings, granted that they are under the supervision of a responsible adult.
Staying safe and warm in a car seat starts with choosing warm but thin layers. Fleece sweaters, thin down jackets, or lightweight coats are all great choices for the car. It's also important to choose layered outerwear in a size that fits your child well in order to limit excess fabric that may add too much bulk.
Dress your baby in thin layers instead of bulky ones. For example, start with thin, close-fitting clothes like, leggings or tights. Then add a second layer of pants and a warmer top. Layering helps your baby have options if they get too hot or cold.
A coat or snowsuit can compress under the harness of a car seat, sometimes up to four inches! This compression can cause the straps of your child's car seat to not fit properly, leaving a dangerous situation. Sleeping bags for babies can also add extra slack under the harness, creating an unsafe ride for your baby.
Layers for safety and warmth
Dress your baby in a long-sleeved top, with a thin fleecy sweater. Add a heavy blanket over a buckled harness and a cozy hat that you can easily remove if she gets too warm. Be sure to tuck the blanket over her once she has been secured in the straps of the harness.
Puffy winter coats and snowsuits are great for sled rides and outdoor play, but they can be unsafe when worn by children strapped into a car seat. In a car crash, fluffy padding immediately flattens out from the force, leaving extra space under the harness.
However, if you're wearing a tank top and your baby is wearing three layers of fleece, he's likely to be too warm. Additionally, Dr. Widome suggested checking both the baby's toes and tummy to assess whether they are too hot or too cold.
Fleece bedding and sheepskins are not recommended as they can cause baby to overheat. Sleeping bags designed for infant sleep may also be used, which then negates the need for any blanket tucked in.
It is not safe for babies to sleep while wearing hats, hoods, or any type of head covering. Avoid covering your baby's head and face when putting them to sleep, as this can increase the risk of suffocation and overheating.
How long do babies wear onesies? Everything depends on your preference and whether your child feels comfortable. Usually, babies stop wearing onesies at 12-18 months of age but this is not a strict rule.
Because the harness straps go between a baby's legs, dress him in pants, leggings or tights that allow you to strap him in comfortably. You should never strap baby into his car seat in a jacket or snowsuit.
Fitting newborns into car seats isn't too hard when the weather is mild. Usually all they need to wear is a onesie with a light blanket placed over them once they've been buckled in. A pair of pants or shorts for hot days can help provide an extra layer of protection against pinching from the buckle.
Layering is great as well as you can add/remove when required i.e cardigans and blankets. (Quite easy to do in a car seat) The last thing you want to do is be faffing around with fiddly outfits. Like others have said the best way to check if your baby is too hot or cold is to feel the back of their neck and tummy.
A child's body temperature rises faster than an adult's and they can be affected quickly by the impact of heat on their body. They are also more at risk than adults of becoming overheated and being affected by a heat-related illness.
A normal temperature in babies is around 97.5 degrees Fahrenheit (36.4 degrees Celsius). Overheating and fevers in babies are around 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or above.
Less than 62 degrees Fahrenheit: Long-Sleeve Onesie + Fleece footed Sleeper + Thick Swaddle/Wearable Blanket. Anything below 62 degrees is getting pretty chilly for your little one.
We advise removing any hats or outdoor clothing such as snowsuits and coats once your baby is in the car. The best way to check your baby isn't getting too hot is to feel their tummy or back of their neck. If their skin feels clammy or sweaty they are too hot, so remove a layer of clothing.
Dress your child in thin layers.
Your child can wear a thin fleece jacket over the top. In very cold weather, long underwear is also a warm and safe layering option.
We want to avoid having a lot of bulky clothing inside the harnessing system in the child restraint. Because in a crash all the bulk will squish down and the harness straps will be loose. Car seat technicians say to put nothing thicker than a sweatshirt on your child under the harness straps of a car seat.
As a general rule of thumb, infants should wear one more layer than adults. If you have a hat and a coat on, your infant will probably need a hat, coat, and blanket. Don't forget hats, mittens, and socks or booties. These help keep kids warm without interfering with car seat straps.
Your baby should not be in a car seat for longer than two hours at a time. Research has shown a link between travelling in car seats for long periods and breathing difficulties in young babies. If you are driving for a long period of time, it is important that you take regular breaks (at least every two hours).
But infants aren't as fragile as parents sometimes fear. And by age 3 months or so, babies are pretty good candidates for travel, as long as the trip is low-key.