Car Seat Safe Winter Gear - Does It Pass The Pinch Test? Featuring The Road Coat By One Kid (Video + Discount!)

Fall is here, so that means it’s time to start dressing for the weather. As a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) and Mom of 4, I get a lot of questions about what’s safe to wear in car seats and booster seats. Parents are often surprised to hear that bulky gear (eg. snowsuits, winter coats, bunting bags, costumes, athletic gear) can lead to improper harness fit (and seat belt fit), and is not appropriate for use in our vehicles.

That’s why I’m very excited to partner with The Road Coat by One Kid to demonstrate, how we can test our current cold weather gear to check if it’s safe (using the simple pinch test). Plus we’ll take a look at what makes The Road Coat’s innovative design a safe choice for use in cars in cold weather. Watch Now + Get 10% OFF Road Coat Products* with code: 10%WITHCARE

Featured Road Coat Products

The Road Coat Snow Suit: Warm To -30C

The Road Coat Down: Warm To -30C

The Road Coat Arctic: Warm To -35C

What Makes The Road Coat A Safe Option?

All of The Road Coats feature an innovative 2 layer zipper design and split collar that allows the harness or seat belt to lay flat on the shoulders and properly against the child’s body. Always ensure you choose the right size for your little one, never “size up” for any gear intended for car seat use.

Snow pants are available to match the down and arctic Road Coats, but are not to be worn in the car seat. All of the Road Coat products are made of beautiful materials. They are comfortable, lightweight, and compact. As a mom I love the robust zippers, and the little details like the stuff sack for storing each product.

I hope this video has helped you understand what your options are for keeping your kids safe in your vehicles this winter. For all the parents looking for a warm, safe, and convenient option, The Road Coat is a great choice.

Please leave any comments or questions below. Make sure to check out my other car seat safety videos for more info. Plus subscribe to my YouTube channel to stay up to date on my new videos.

- Care

Featured In this video: One Kid The Road Coat - Arctic Coat & Snow Pants (Blue Coat & Black Pants In Video), Down Coat & Snow Pants (Purple/Pink Coat & Pink Pants In Video), Snow Suit (Grey Outfit In Video)

*Get 10% OFF with code 10%WITHCARE *cannot be combined with any other offers/sale items excluded/one time use only/cannot be applied to previous purchases

**This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or product for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I only partner with products and services that I genuinely love and want to recommend.

***The information in this video is meant to help you learn about car seat safety. The information provided does not constitute individual advice or consultation and should not be used as such. Please always read your vehicle manual and car seat manual to ensure all products used are done so in accordance with their guidelines. Always test all gear with the pinch test to ensure proper safe fit. If you need assistance checking your car seat, or choosing the right products etc. please reach out to me (care@with-care.ca), or another certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPSAC find a tech map).

Britax Grow With You ClickTight Harness-2-Booster Seat Installation + Review Video

Britax’s beautiful NEW lineup of Harness-2-Booster Car Seats have hit the Canadian market. I’ve partnered with them to test out and review the Grow With You ClickTight Harness-2-Booster Seat (the middle seat in their 3 seat lineup, comparison chart included below).

As a Child Passenger Safety Technician I find that most parents are frustrated by their car seats, and make installation errors because they get confused with so many steps. Britax’s incredibly simple ClickTight installation process helps parents feel confident about every installation.

Watch my video to get a full run down of what makes this seat effortless for parents to install and use, and awesome for kids! Plus, see exactly how this seat grows with your child. It currently fits both Penny (Almost 4 Years Old, 39lbs & 39” Harness Mode) and Lucy (6.5 Years, 49lbs & 47” - Both Harness & Booster Mode). Check out some photos below.

Penny age ~4 Years, 39lbs, 39” In Harness Mode

Lucy age 6.5 years, 49lbs, 47” In Harness Mode

Lucy age 6.5 Years, 49lbs, 47” In Booster Mode

Please leave any comments or questions below and let me know if you have any other products or topics you want me to feature. Make sure to check out my other car seat safety videos for more info. Plus subscribe to my YouTube channel to stay up to date on my new videos.

- Care

In this video: Britax Grow With You ClickTight Harness-2-Booster Seat

Shop Britax **Get 15% OFF the Grow With You ClickTight Harness-2-Booster Seat (Asher Colour) at select Canadian retailers Until May 20, 2020.

*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or product for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I only partner with products and services that I genuinely love and want to recommend.

*The information in this video is meant to help you learn about car seat safety. The information provided does not constitute individual advice or consultation and should not be used as such. Please always read your vehicle manual and car seat manual to ensure compatibility and proper secure installation and use. If you need assistance installing your car seat, or want to have your installation checked please reach out to me (care@with-care.ca), or another certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (find a tech map).

Clek Liing Car Seat Review - What Is A Load Leg Anyway?

I’ve teamed up with Clek, our local Canadian car seat manufacturer to bring you a quick video review of their amazing Liing Infant Bucket Seat. This seat is not only beautiful, but has some incredible features that make it functional and convenient. Plus the addition of a metal load leg in the base gives this seat an extra safety feature that many infant seats don’t currently have. This is a must watch video for any parents considering what the right seat is for their baby. You get to see a metal load leg in action, so you can understand why this feature is one you definitely want.

Please leave any comments or questions below and let me know if you have any other products or topics you want me to feature. Make sure to check out my other car seat safety videos for more info. Plus subscribe to my YouTube channel to stay up to date on my new videos.

- Care

In this video: Clek Liing Car Seat

Shop For Clek Here **20% OFF Until December 2nd 2019

Watch Clek's Liing Installation Videos Here

*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or product for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I only partner with products and services that I genuinely love and want to recommend.

*The information in this video is meant to help you learn about car seat safety. Please always read your vehicle manual and car seat manual to ensure compatibility and proper secure installation and use. The information provided does not constitute individual advice or consultation and should not be used as such. 

What’s The Big Deal About Facing Rear? Learn About Safety, Anatomy and Myths Of Rear Facing Car Seat Positioning

It’s Child Passenger Safety Week, so it feels like the perfect time to talk about car seat safety. As a Child Passenger Safety Tech I know that every parent wants to keep their child safe, but the complexity of car seats and changing laws and recommendations can be very confusing for parents.

I’ve partnered with Clek to bring you a video about Rear Facing positioning, and why extended rear facing is so important for our little ones. This is something I get asked about all the time at my workshops, in my community, and online. I really hope this video sheds some light on why recommendations have changed, and in turn helps you make an informed decision that works for your individual family. Click to Watch

If you want to learn more about safe car seat and booster use, check out this great handout from the Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada. Since all provinces and territories vary in their regulations you can get full details on current laws from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and a summary of other provinces and territories here. Plus you can access all of Transport Canada’s current recommendations here.

I hope you enjoy the video. Please comment below with any questions or topics you would like covered in the future, and don't forget to Subscribe to my YouTube channel. 

- Care

Resources In This Post:

Clek Foonf Car Seat: Available Locally at Love Me Do Baby & Maternity | Provincial & Territorial Car Seat Laws | Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada Car Seat Safety Brochure | Transport Canada Choosing a Child Car Seat or Booster Seat

*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or product for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I only partner with products and services that I genuinely love and want to recommend.

*The information in this video is meant to help you learn about safe car seat use. Please always read your car manual and booster/car seat manual to ensure compatibility and proper secure installation and use for your child. The information provided does not constitute individual advice or consultation and should not be used as such. 

Booster Seat Safety 101: Watch My Video + Get 15% OFF Nuna Products at Love Me Do Baby & Maternity

I get so many questions from parents about when their child is ready to make the move to a booster and when they can ditch the booster all together. So I decided to make a little video with my son Ben’s Nuna AACE booster seat. He's almost 7 years old and moved from his forward facing 5 point harness car seat to this high back booster at 6.5 years old. He will be able to use this for many years to come, as it transitions into a no back booster for bigger kids.

In this video I'll go over proper use, appropriate ages and stages, and a very important safety tip that is often overlooked by parents when a booster seat is in the car. 

If you’re in need of an amazing booster seat, infant seat, toddler seat, or stroller, make sure you check out the selection of beautiful Nuna products at Love Me Do. They will be 15% off until June 4th. This is an incredible savings, so don’t miss out. The best part is, you can get complimentary car seat installation by their amazing certified car seat technician on any seat you purchase in store. That's a huge value. 

If you want to learn more about safe car seat and booster use, check out this great handout from the Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada. Since all provinces and territories vary in their regulations you can get full details on current laws from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and a summary of other provinces and territories here.

I hope you enjoy the video. Please feel free to comment below with any questions or topics you would like covered in the future. 

- Care 

In this post:

Love Me Do Baby & Maternity: Nuna AACE Booster Seat     |     Homesense: Basket & Throw Pillows    |     Mur Lifestyle: Black and White Blanket in Basket     |     Ikea: Ektorp Couch & Blanket     |     Bird Apparel: Care's Poncho Shirt (See note in link to special order)     |    Lorena Canals: Rug     |     Bensound: Music, Ukulele Clip

*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or product for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I only partner with products and services that I genuinely love and want to recommend.

*The information in this video is meant to help you learn about booster seats. Please always read your car manual and booster/car seat manual to ensure compatibility and proper secure installation and use. The information provided does not constitute individual advice or consultation and should not be used as such. 

How to Safely Clean Your Car Seat with Today's Parent

I was so excited when Many Milks from Today's Parent asked me to collaborate on a video for her Easy ish series about Safe Car Seat Cleaning. As a Certified Passenger Safety Technician and mom of 3, I'm pretty passionate about this stuff (I know I'm a total nerd), and since almost every parent will have to face a disaster car seat situation at one point or another, this video seemed absolutely essential.

Many parents I teach are shocked to learn that some cleaning products and cleaning techniques can actually impact the integrity and long term safety of their car seat. That's why this is a must watch for all parents. Hopefully this video helps you feel more confident the next time you have to battle a gross car seat. Watch it and let me know what you think. 

New episodes of Easy ish come out each Friday. Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss any amazing Easy ish parenting hacks. Plus stay tuned for lots of new content coming to my Youtube channel this spring! I can't wait to start sharing more educational videos with you guys. Feel free to comment below with any topics or questions you want covered.

- Care 

Parents, Please Stop Covering Your Baby's Face!

I've wanted to write a post about this for a long time, but kept holding off. Probably because I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, or make parents feel guilty, but that's not what this post is about. I am certain that almost every parent makes decisions with their kid's best interest at heart. We all want what is best for our little one's development, growth, and definitely safety. That's why it's always difficult to approach parents to discuss safety concerns about their little one when I'm hosting community events and teaching workshops. As a healthcare provider and expert in family safety I made a commitment long ago not to bother any parents about personal preferences or things that involve comfort, but safety concerns I cannot overlook. I would never forgive myself if an incident that I ignored led to a baby's harm, or even worse death. 

Lately I have had several incidents involving infants being brought to my events completely covered and concealed without adequate access to fresh air. In some cases it has been babies in their infant car seats with winter seat covers tightly closed around them. In other cases it was babies being worn in baby carriers with coat extensions zipped up fully covering the baby's face, or a blanket covering the baby's head. While I understand the cold weather can be daunting and hard to contend with (especially if you have well meaning people constantly chiming in on how cold baby is!), it is essential to remember that fresh oxygen flow is paramount, and that without it an infant can suffocate.

The importance of fresh air flow around our infant is one of the key messages in SIDs prevention and safe sleep, and is just as essential when our baby is in a car seat, stroller, or baby carrier. Seeing our baby's face allows us to assess their well being through their skin tone and breathing patterns. When we cover our baby completely, they lose access to fresh air, and we lose the ability to ensure they are well. The American Academy of Paediatrics reminds parents to "Be sure to leave baby's face uncovered to avoid trapped air and re-breathing.” It's important that parents are aware that covering a baby’s face completely in a carrier, car seat or stroller can lead to overheating and suffocation (eg. Image B below).

In addition, we must consider what is safe for use in our vehicles. Many retailers carry car seat bundling products that are not safe to use in a car seat. Just because it's on the shelf at the store does not mean it is safe. When I raise this in my Infant/Family CPR & Safety Workshops parents are often confused as to why products are sold in stores that might be unsafe for baby. In an age where products are constantly entering the marketplace it can be tough to assess what is safe. If a product passes testing for things like textile strength and flammability they often get put up on shelves without any assessment about how parents may use these products, and what real life risk they pose for babies. With the introduction and popularity of car seat covers in recent years, parents have been warned to avoid any covers that go between the baby’s body and the straps (Image A below). These types of covers impact the fit of the harness and do not allow for proper safe use of the car seat as directed by the manufacturer.

A - Backed Car seat covers are Not Safe for Use in car seats. Only for use in stroller seats.

B - Backless Product. Please always keep flap open so baby gets adequate airflow and baby's wellbeing can be assessed

C - Backless Product. Please always keep flaps open so baby gets adequate airflow and baby's wellbeing can be assessed

When preparing our kiddos to go in their car seats in cold weather it's recommended that we dress them in tight fitting compressible layers (not snowsuits or puffy bunting suits). A snug fitting fleece outfit like this one from MEC can be a good option. If you're planning to use something extra to help keep baby warm in their car seat, please make sure it is a product that does not interfere with placement or correct adjustment of the straps, or with fresh air flow. This typically means using a simple blanket tucked in around them once they are strapped in properly, or purchasing a "backless" car seat cover like the Skip Hop one pictured here. These are a great option for infants during our cold winters, but please always ensure you keep baby’s face visible.

The same goes for babies being worn in baby carriers. Recently Health Canada introduced a Public Service Announcement with the message "Visible & Kissable." It aims to remind parents that having our baby in an upright and supported position, without anything covering their face or blocking their access to fresh air, is essential. If baby is being worn in a baby carrier against their parent's body they should mainly be shielded from the wind. As you can see from the photo above of me babywearing Penny, she is well protected from the elements but her face and airflow are not obstructed in any way. If you're going out on an extremely cold day and are concerned about baby's exposed skin, a layer of shea butter or another natural barrier cream can help. If you want to learn more check out my post on Winter Babywearing Essentials.

If it's absolutely necessary to cover your baby for a brief moment to protect them from extreme cold (whether in a baby carrier, a car seat or a stroller) please use a breathable blanket, keep a very close eye on your baby and uncover them immediately. 

Our babies are really cute. Let's make sure we can always see their adorable faces. 

Care 

*This is not a sponsored post.

Please comment below with any questions or topics you would like me to cover in the future.