Car seat safety: Risks of thick winter clothing for babies

The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that wearing thick winter clothing, such as heavy jackets or snowsuits, can compromise child safety in car seats. During a collision, the padding in thick clothing can compress, causing the safety belts to become loose and failing to hold the child securely in place.

To ensure warmth without sacrificing safety, experts recommend dressing infants in multiple thin layers rather than one bulky garment. A practical rule of thumb is to dress babies in approximately one more layer than adults in the same conditions. This layering approach allows for easier temperature regulation by removing outer layers when entering a heated vehicle or indoor space.

Additional safety measures include ensuring the car seat is kept at a comfortable temperature and checking that the harness is tight enough that no folds of the belt can be grasped at the child's shoulder. For older children, placing a jacket on backward over the secured harness is suggested as an alternative method to maintain warmth.