Child car seats - anyone else about to have a nervous breakdown?

Question

I'm interested to know if anyone else finds that designers of child car seats did not take into account that the child might want to wear a coat in the winter.
My daughter is by no means fat, but when it comes to doing her harness thing up when she is wearing a coat, I swear (yes - even in front of her), I tell it I hate it, my blood pressure goes through the roof all because I can't get those stupid bleeping things to go in the stupid bleeping thing.
AAAAGGGGGHHHHHH!
See. Stressed out just thinking about it.
Are there any (reasonably priced) car seats out there that DO allow room for a childs coat? If not, does anyone know of anyone who might have designed them because I'd like them to come round to my house and allow me to throw darts at them.

Just to confirm, my husband says (lol) that the straps can't be extended any further. Have I just got a really pants car seat?

Answer 1

The car seat is doing what it is supposed to. It is not safe to wear a coat in a car seat because they compress in a collision. You should not wear anything heavier than a fleece jacket with a car seat. Yes, I know it is winter. Take the coat off, and fasten her into her seat, then put the coat on over her harness, backwards. Or use blankets.

Answer 2

have you tried going to Halfords to look at their range of child seats - if they havent got a huge range, you could always have a shout at them instead!
i do know the feeling though- when i had my eldest child (who's now 11) i couldn't get the seatbelt round the car seat in certain cars - volvo's were awful as the sear belts just didn't stretch far enough - i can tell you i too had to swear on several occasions- it's made me tense just remembering the stress!!
if you take your daughters coat with you instead of putting it on her you'll still have the issue of putting it on her when you get to your destination won't you - it's a puzzle!! good luck - and roll on summer - for coat free times!

Answer 3

I feel your pain! Check with your local Highway Patrol office, as they (depending upon your State) usually have a liaison who is an expert on child safety seats. They may be able to help with adjustments, or recommend a more suitable model for your needs.

Answer 4

Unfortunately, no there isn't. You have to adjust the straps for them to fit her when she is wearing bulkier clothes. Just isn't something we want to be doing, but necessary. Take the time to adjust the straps and all will be well.

Answer 5

normal procedure first thing in morning...
pick up wriggling sprog, lift into seat. sprog stands up in chair and no longer bend in the middle. you pull feet forward and they slide down into sitting position but their jacket puffs up around head. you try to pull that down and try to fit arms thru straps, realising that their arms are no longer in sleeves, you then have to rummage around and fish connector out from below their bum and just about manage to connect the straps when they suddenly start bucking, you swear profusely etc etc bang head on car roof on way out, swear etc....ah the joys!
ive got a graco, and they have a button you press while you pull on the straps to make them longer. you could try that or try making mad faces and speaking gibberish long enough to distract the little toerags. or both.
hope this helps :D

Answer 6

I live in sunny South Africa, so I don't know what a coat is.

But PLEASE do keep on trying, should you one day be in an accident, all the swearing and struggling will suddenly be worthwhile.

Answer 7

Sorry, I'm past the baby seat phase of life (thankfully!), but your question made me laugh!

So thank you, and you have my sympathy!