· By Dahlia Rizk
Are Puffy Coats Dangerous in Car Seats?
Short answer: yes - and every major car seat safety organization agrees.
Here's the problem
When you buckle your child over a puffy coat, the padding compresses in a crash. That creates slack in the harness at exactly the wrong moment. The strap that felt snug in the driveway isn't snug anymore when it matters.
This isn't a minor concern. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and virtually every Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) recommend the same thing: remove the bulky coat before buckling, then cover your child with a blanket.
The coat compression test
There's a simple way to check any coat.
- Buckle your child in with the coat on.
- Adjust the harness until it passes the pinch test no slack you can pinch between your fingers.
- Then unbuckle, remove the coat, and re-buckle without it.
If the harness has more slack than when the coat was on, the coat has failed the test.
So what do parents actually do?
Most parents remove the coat in the parking lot - this can take up to 2-3 minutes.
In winter.
With a screaming baby.
Some parents use blankets instead of battling regular coats. Blankets work, but they slide off, end up on the floor, and create distracted drivers when you try to lean back and pick it up while driving.
A growing number of parents use coats designed specifically for car seat use like Buckle Me Baby Coats which has split shoulder seams that allow the harness to sit directly on the child's body rather than on top of padding.
How car seat safe coats work
The principle is straightforward. Experts recommend avoiding bulky layers under car seat harnesses. Car seat safe coats like Buckle Me Baby Coats are designed around this principle the Buckle Me Baby Coats removes all coat fabric from under the harness, allowing the straps to maintain direct contact with the child's body. The back is also pre-compressed through quilting and thinner than the front so the coat is used safely at the same harness setting as no coat.
"I bought a poncho and two other coats before I caved and bought a Buckle Me Baby Coat. I feel so much better that she is warm and safe in her car seat." — Crystal G., London OH
The bottom line
Regular puffy coats are not safe to use in a car seat. The recommendation is consistent across every major safety organization and CPSTs.
The workaround most parents use coats off in the parking lot - works. It's just cold and inconvenient. Blankets work too, but can create distracted driving.
If you want easy warmth and proper harness fit in the same product, a coat designed specifically for car seat use like Buckle Me Baby Coats is the only option that solves both at the same time.
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Let customers speak for us
Laura H.
I don't usually write reviews
But this is our 3rd winter with one of these coats, and they're a lifesaver. Slight learning curve when you first get one, but not having to take the coat on and off in the cold is worth it. It's also piece of mind that it won't fall off when driving or if in an accident (kiddo will be warm when waiting for first responders). We live in Chicago and the Toast is warm enough for quick errands and the Toasty is nicer for deep winter. We do have a larger parka coat if we spend more time outdoors.
Buckle Me Baby Car Seat Coats
Fransheska
Safest jacket for kids
I ordered a green toastier coat for my 1 year old. Now when I did receive it that there was a tear in the jacket. But customer service made it simple in easy to file a claim to receive another one which was great. I had 1 already for my son but it became to small. I love these coats though they make it easy to just buckle your child without removing the coat. As well it gives me the peace of mind knowing he is sitting safely in his car seat. Definitely would recommend and be riding another once this one get too small again.
Toastier Car Seat Coats
K.H.
A great way to save & give back!
Made upgrading a breeze!
Swoondle Trade Up Bag
Heather
Great coat for toddler
Love our car seat coat. This is our second year ordering and will be coming back again next year. Perfect for bringing kids out without having to take their coats on and off in the cold.
Toasty Car Seat Coat Different Color per size - FINAL SALE
Amy G.
Great product
This product is great. I was thinking about a coat for my grandson that he could wear in his car seat, and I was told about the Buckle Me Coats. It works great and keeps him warm.
Toasty Car Seat Coat
Roxann B.
Awesome
It's a Christmas gift for my granddaughter 😁
Toast Car Seat Coat
Cheyenne B.
Definitely recommend
This is amazing I love how it soft and keeps her warm and cozy in her car seat. It easy covers over the car seat buckle and I love the plaid cover
Cozy Car Seat Blanket | Buckle Me Baby Blankies
Althea O.
Warm, convenient and love it
I work at the Turnpike and I get sick of seeing babies drug and just pajamas cause people don’t wanna waste time putting a coat on them. This is wonderful because I can wrap a baby in it. They’re still warm.
Cozy Car Seat Blanket | Buckle Me Baby Blankies
Madeline P.
Car seat coat
We live this jacket. It’s so convenient and comfortable for our little guy
Toasty Car Seat Coat
Jama L.
Amazing!
This is absolutely amazing.. kept our granddaughter toasty warm on a cold night kicking off the Christmas holiday in Tennessee!
Buckle Me Baby Cozier Car Seat Blankie
Crystal G.
Warm
I was worried about how to keep my baby warm during the cold months in Ohio. I personally can warm up my car first but my sister cannot. I stumbled upon these coats and went back and forth. I bought a poncho and two other coats before I caved. I feel so much better that she is warm and safe in her car seat. I rarely write reviews, but this company offers 20% off for a review so if that tells you anything, I’ll be buying another one for next year-I wanted the discount.
Toast Car Seat Coat
Dev
Soft and warm
Just got the buckle me baby blanket the other day. It’s super soft and warm. I look forward to using it in the car seat and stroller to keep my little monster warm. I think I’m going to order a coat for her as well for those extra cold days!
Cozy Car Seat Blanket | Buckle Me Baby Blankies
Shaina
We love these coats!
We’ve always loved these coats first my daughter now for my son. They make buckling with a coat so much easier and safer and my kids are always warm!
Toastier Car Seat Coat Different Color per size - FINAL SALE
Stacey
I have ordered two of these coats for my daughter over the years and have now ordered one for my infant. It's so nice to know they're warm and safe!
Toast Car Seat Coat
Annie
Perfect
Toasty Car Seat Coat