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).

Halloween Safety Tips For Families With Global Morning News

Halloween is so much fun, but having a ton of hyped up kiddos walking the streets and climbing stairs in costumes in the dark does pose some risk 😜 In order to keep our kids safe while trick-or-treating we should keep some simple safety tips in mind. I joined Jennifer Valentyne and the team at Global Morning News to chat about my top Halloween safety tips for trick-or-treaters, and some important tips for home owners. Watch this quick video to learn how to help make Halloween a fun and safe holiday for every child! (please note: one tip I didn’t get to fit in was to make sure all animals are well contained. Some pets will not react well to large groups of kids in costumes)

Please share this with anyone you think could use the tips. If you need any help and support keeping your kiddos safe, grab a spot in one of my Upcoming Family CPR & Safety Workshops.

I hope everyone has a very safe and Happy Halloween!

- Care

3 Summer Safety Essentials For Families - In Partnership with the St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation (Video)

Summer is here! Time for outdoor adventures, endless fun, and a few extra scrapes & bruises ;) While summer is undoubtedly the most exciting season, it’s also one that requires some special safety considerations for our little ones. As a CPR & Safety Educator I love supporting parents to learn about family safety, so needless to say I am thrilled to partner with the St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation to bring you 3 Summer Safety Essentials For Families.

Watch this video to learn about preventing overheating and dehydration in our little ones (so important in our hot summer weather!), learn proper helmet safety for the whole family, and find out how to keep our kids safe on the playground. Parents are often shocked to hear about one of the most common, and preventable, causes of leg fractures in toddlers on the playground. This is a must watch for all parents!

I hope these tips help keep you and your family safe this summer season, but please know that when accidents happen, or your little one needs a check-up from a friendly neighbourhood doctor, the St. Joe’s Just For Kids Clinic is right here in our West End community ready to help. It’s Toronto’s first, and only, Paediatric walk-in clinic in a hospital setting. The warm friendly decor and design of the clinic, along with the interactive games and play area, make children feel comfortable and safe while they wait to meet with the paediatric health care team. If you’ve never accessed the incredible services that St. Joe’s has to offer, make sure to check it out. Follow @stjoestoronto on Social Media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) to learn more about the health care services available to you and your family. Plus learn more about how you can help the hospital and foundation, so they can keep their promise to continue to provide the families in our community with the best health care possible.

Have a Happy & Safe Summer!

- Care

Read More about Keeping Our Kiddos Safe In Summer - Preventing, Recognizing & Treating Overheating & Dehydration

In This Video:

St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation | St. Joe’s Just For Kids Clinic | Klean Kanteen water bottle: MEC | Contego water bottle: Costco | Coral Canasta Tote bag: La Patria | Walleroo Victoria Fedora: MEC | Thinkbaby SPF 50 Sunscreen: Well.ca | Substance Sun Stick: Well.ca | Green Beaver SPF 15 Lipbalm: Well.ca | Alba Botanicals Kid’s Spray Sunscreen: Well.ca | Giro Bike Helmets: Batemans Bicycle Company | Linen Ring Sling: Potter & Pehar | Kid’s sunglasses: Baby Banz | UppaBaby Vista Stroller: Love Me Do Baby & Maternity | Picnic Blanket: June Home Supply | Booster Seat: Fisher Price | Ora Outdoor Sectional Sofa: Article | Globber Scooter: Mastermind Toys | Haro Kid’s Bike: Batemans Bicycle Company

*Please note: The information in this video is meant to help you learn about summer safety. The information provided does not constitute individual advice or consultation and should not be used as such. The information provided is not intended to override your health care providers recommendations for your individual child.

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

Keeping Our Kiddos Safe In Summer - Preventing, Recognizing & Treating Overheating & Dehydration

Summertime is so much fun with little ones, but it can also be a dangerous season if we don't consider how to keep our little ones cool and hydrated during extreme heat. Babies and young children have a smaller amount of liquid in their body, so dehydration can progress more quickly than in adults. Additionally, babies and young children can't sweat as well as adults, so they can have a hard time cooling their bodies down once they begin to heat up, putting them at higher risk of overheating. That's why it's very important to keep a close eye on your little ones on hot and humid days. Most of the time we can recognize the early signs and symptoms of dehydration and overheating (heat exhaustion & heat cramps) and work to prevent any serious issues. If ignored, these can progress to Heat Stroke and Severe Dehydration - which are a medical emergency and life threatening. 

As a CPR & Safety Instructor and mom of 3, I get lots of questions about keeping kids safe from the sun and heat in the summer months. So today, I'm sharing a few tips on keeping your kiddos safe from the sun, and preventing overheating and dehydration. Plus how to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat related illnesses, and what to do if you're concerned about your little one. 

How to Keep Littles Safe In the Sun: 

• It is recommended that babies under 6 months old stay out of the sun, and sunscreens are not recommended. If you absolutely can't keep baby shaded from the sun, a small amount of sunscreen is typically safer than sun exposure to their sensitive skin.

• Cover up as much skin as possible with light loose breathable clothing

• For kids and babies over 6 months use a broad spectrum sun screen of SPF30+ daily on exposed skin, and don't forget to reapply frequently. This is my current favourite

• Use a brimmed hat and UV protective sunglasses (if your little will keep them on!)

• Stay in the shade as much as possible

• Use UV protective clothing and swim suits

• Use umbrellas to create shade

When parents are concerned about sun exposure they often cover their baby completely, putting them at a much higher risk of overheating. Here are some tips to reduce that risk and keep babies & big kids safe on hot days. 

How to Reduce the Risk of Heat Related Illnesses:

• Stay home on heat/smog advisory days, or head to air conditioned spaces e.g. libraries, community centres, shopping centres

• Dress in light breathable natural fabrics

• Play outside before 10am & after 4pm when the sun is less intense

• Play in the shade

• Use a sprinkler, water mister, or fan to stay cool

• Encourage hydration throughout the day. Breastmilk/Formula are the main forms of hydration for infants under 1 year, but a small amount of water is appropriate if you're concerned about their fluid intake on a hot day. Clear fluids like water and coconut water are ideal. You can flavour water with fresh fruit for a nice change. Popsicles are also a great way to hydrate and stay cool. Kids can get distracted when having fun, so make sure you stop regularly for hydration breaks.

• Eat foods with high water content eg. watermelon, cucumbers, cantaloupe, blueberries, oranges etc

• Never leave a baby, child or pet in a parked car, even for a moment. A parked car can reach life threatening temperatures within minutes.

• When out and about with your stroller or car seat avoid using plastic sun covers, and never fully cover your baby. A few years ago a Swedish research study showed that a covered stroller or car seat can become dangerously hot very quickly, even with a light muslin blanket. If you are using a stroller cover, please ensure it's a UV protective breathable mesh cover, or ensure you don't cover the entire opening. Always prioritize air flow to baby.

You should always be able to see your baby's face without lifting up the fabric. Oh hot sunny days I use a set of Kiddie Clips to hold a light weight blanket in place which creates good sun cover for Penny's bare legs, but does not block the air circulation to her face. If you're ever draping a blanket over a car seat please ensure there is adequate air flow and that baby is always visible. (*Special offer from Kiddie Clips below)

• If you're babywearing try to choose a carrier made of a lightweight breathable fabric like linen, or one with a mesh panel to allow air flow. My favourite in the summer months are my Sakura Bloom Linen Ring Sling and my new I-Angel Hip Seat Carrier with mesh panel. If you or baby is getting too hot make sure you take a break and remove baby from the carrier to cool off in the shade or inside. *These are only 2 examples of carriers which are ideal for summer wearing. I always encourage parents to "try before you buy", as you never know what will fit you and your babywearing needs best until you try it with your own baby. Join me at my monthly FREE Babywearing Drop In to learn more about babywearing, or to try any of my carriers.

Even when we follow these recommendations overheating can happen in our extreme climate. Learn the signs and symptoms below so you will know how to recognize heat related illnesses early, and treat them to avoid an emergency.

Signs and Symptoms of Overheating and Dehydration:

• Change in behaviour eg. lethargy, drowsiness, irritability

• Muscle Cramps

• Decreased urination/dark yellow urine

• Headache

• Extreme thirst

• Nausea/Vomiting

• Cool, clammy skin

• Weakness/Fainting

• Fever

• Rapid breathing & heart rate

What to Do If You Notice Concerning Symptoms: 

• Bring person to a cool place indoors, an air-conditioned car, or shady area

• Remove excess clothing

• Encourage hydration (clear, non-caffeinated, non-carbonated liquids are best)

• Apply a cool wet cloth to skin *Here's one of my fave mom hacks for summer. If we're headed out on a long summer day trip I always plan ahead and freeze a few water bottles in the deep freeze the night before. The frozen bottles stay cold late into the day and keep the rest of the food/drinks cool. They can be used to hydrate, but can also be applied to the back of the neck/wrist, or thawed cold water can be poured over a piece of fabric for a compress, to help cool someone off if need be.

• With mild symptoms continue to encourage hydration and monitor closely.

• If they are refusing liquids, and symptoms are not improving or becoming more serious, contact your health care provider or head to a clinic to get health care immediately.

• Always call 911 if situation becomes life threatening (eg. overheating or dehydration causing rapid breathing, a true fever, increased heart rate, fainting, unresponsiveness)

I hope these tips make you feel more confident caring for your babes in our hot summer months. In my experience parents focus so much on their little ones well being, and often forget about their own. So here's a friendly reminder for all parents, and especially the nursing mamas out there, to up your hydration during the summer months so you to keep up with the increased hydration your body needs.

If you want to learn more about keeping your family safe throughout the year check out my Infant/Family CPR & Safety Workshops (Private in-home and public group classes available). As a little gift please use code: sunsmart10 for 10% off your own set of Kiddie Clips. Please post any questions or comments below, and let me know if you have any topics you would like me to cover. 

Care

IN THIS POST: 

Ollibaby Kiddie Clips *10% off code: sunsmart10    |    I Angel: Grey Chevron Hip Seat Carrier    |    Tiny Trendsetter: Chambray Bonnet & Saltwater Sandals    |    Diaper-eez: UV suits, Baby Sunglasses *10% off code: Withcare   |    Sakura Bloom: Linen Ring Sling     |     Uppababy Vista Stroller    |    Bonjour Baby Baskets Little Unicorn Official Strawberry Blanket 

*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.

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. 

Fifty-Seven Comes to Parkdale! - This Little Piggy

I'm very excited to announce a new collaboration with This Little Piggy. 

Starting in June we will be offering our very popular Infant CPR & Family Safety Workshop to the parents of Parkdale! 

This Little Piggy is one of my favourite shops in the city for expectant and young families because they focus on selling tons of amazing local brands. Check it out if you haven't already! They have a great online shop that's easy to use. Plus you can follow their beautiful Instagram feed to see their adorable products and stay up to date on in-store events.  

*Don't wait to register! Space is very limited and these workshops always sell out fast. Register Online Here or contact info@fifty-seven.ca or 416.972.9367 for any questions or assistance registering. 

Looking forward to meeting lots of local Parkdale families.

Warmly,

- Care