Winter Coats and Car Seats: The Pinch Test, and What to Do Instead

Every winter the same fight happens in a thousand parking lots: the baby’s in a snowsuit, the straps won’t reach, and you’re cranking them as far as they’ll go. Here’s why to stop, and what to do instead.

Why the coat comes off

The AAP spells it out: bulky clothing, including winter coats and snowsuits, shouldn’t go under a car seat harness. In a crash the fluffy padding flattens out instantly. The harness that felt tight a second ago now has slack in it, and a child can slip through the straps.

The coat isn’t the problem when you’re walking around. It’s the problem under the harness.

The pinch test (10 seconds)

1. Buckle the harness and pull it snug.
2. At your child’s shoulder, try to pinch a horizontal fold of the strap between your fingers.
3. If you can pinch it, it’s too loose. Tighten and try again until you can’t.

Do this every ride in cold months. It catches the coat problem and the “I loosened it yesterday and forgot” problem.

What to do instead

The AAP’s list, plus one practical addition:

• Thin layers. Leggings, a long-sleeve top, a fleece. Several thin layers keep a baby warmer than you’d think.
• Coat on top. Buckle the harness first, then put the coat over the straps. Putting it on backwards, arms through the sleeves, works for toddlers.
• Blanket over the harness. Tuck it over the buckled straps, never under the baby or behind the straps.
• Warm the car first, if you can, and bring the infant bucket inside between trips so it isn’t ice cold.

About those bunting bags

“Car seat cover” and “car seat bunting” mean two different products. A shower-cap style cover over the top of an infant seat doesn’t go near the harness. A bag with a layer that goes behind or under the baby does. The AAP says nothing bulky should go between your child and the harness or underneath them, and that you shouldn’t use products that weren’t crash-tested with the seat. More on that in the car seat add-ons I’d skip.

Not sure your harness is right?

A tech will show you what snug looks like on your seat. Find a car seat inspection station near you.

Follow-up questions

Why can't my baby wear a puffy coat in the car seat?

According to the AAP, the padding in a bulky coat or snowsuit flattens out in a crash, which leaves extra space under the harness. That can leave the straps too loose to hold the child.

What is the pinch test?

After buckling and tightening the harness, try to pinch a fold of strap at your child's shoulder. If you can pinch the strap, the AAP says it needs to be tightened until it's snug against the chest.

Are fleece jackets okay in a car seat?

The AAP lists thin layers, including fleece jackets, as a better option than a bulky coat. Run the pinch test with whatever your child is wearing.