Is it safe to use a infant head support in a car seat that has a bunting bag?
I have a Graco SnugRide infant seat with a Kiddopotamus Snuzzler. I want to get a cover for the seat and the JJ Cole bunting bags would be a great idea because the winter here is very cold. Is it safe to have the Snuzzler on top of the bunting bag and then they baby in the seat? What would you recommend? Thanks!
As a couple others have stated, BOTH of those product are BIG no-no’s. The bunting bag in particular really interferes with the way the harness works and fits on the child. The harness – the part that protects your child in an accident. You don’t want anything interfering with that. Bunting bags add an extra layer of material that wasn’t tested with the car seat, and in an accident could compress too much, making the harness too loose. Also – they are not the same flame retardentcy as car seat covers. Flame retardent – another biggie in car crashes. You want the material to repel fire as long as possible to give you time to get him out. The snuzzlers are bad, as well. To help keep his head in positiong, just use a rolled up receiving blanket (or two) on each side of his head, and make sure the seat is installed at a 45 degree angle for newborns.
One thing worth noting is that anytime an aftermarket car seat accessory states that it has been crash tested to FMSVV standards – they are lying, or bending the truth at least. That’s b/c Federal standards DON’T HAVE any standards regarding aftermarket product – sure it passed! Cause there’s nothing to pass, lol. Also don’t use harness covers, unless they came with the seat. If you are wanting a seat with all those extras, you need to purchase a seat that includes them. Costs more, but that means all the parts WERE crash tested, and totally safe to use.
WHY NO AFTERMARKET:
Never use any aftermarket accessory with your car seat. If it wasn’t made by the car seat manufacturer specifically for your model number of seat (i.e. made by Graco for a Graco Snugride) then it isn’t safe to use.
This includes the use of car seat covers not made by the car seat manufacturer.
They don’t meet flame retardent requiremnts, and may not fit the seat exactly like
the original cover, interfering with how the harness works. The harness it what
secures the child to protect from injury, so that is a BIG deal! Also, factory covers
are only allowed to be a certain thickness, when you start getting aftermarket covers
or adding infant inserts, pillows, and such, you exceed that thickness, affecting how
the seat restrains your child. Harness covers another big one – if they didn’t come
with your seat, or you don’t have permission from the car seat manufacturer to use them,
DON’T! Most aftermarket harness covers are too long – pushing the chest clip down too
low to be effective. (Its supposed to be at armpit level, no lower).
This also includes the Mighty Tite – it has been shown to actually shred seatbelts!
A Seatbelt is supposed to be able to have some give and stretch in accident, to absorb forces
instead of the passenger. This isn’t possible when the seatbelt is stretched too tight.
Mats that cover the seat are a big no-no, too. It can give the illusion of a tight install when
in fact its not. Ideally you want nothing between the car seat and the vehicle seat. If
you feel you must put something to save your seats – use a thin shelf liner or a very thin
beach towel. That’s it!
Kiddopotamus Snuzzler
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Kiddopotamus Snuzzler Complete Head and Body Support, Ivory Terry $6.40 Product Description The award-winning Snuzzler provides the ideal support for baby’s back and head, adjusting upward as baby grows. Keeps baby perfectly supported and comfortable in any seat, and in any season! The soft terry cloth material provides comfort to baby all year long, and is perfect for warmer climates. The unique contours work easily with all harness straps, including 3 and 5 point ha… |
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Summer Infant Velboa Snuzzler – Head & Body Support $25.85 … |
