I am very strict when it comes to my kids’ car seats. I’ve done all the research on latch systems weight requirements, how to properly place their buckles and basically know the manuals for both seats backwards and upside down. That said, a few years ago I had NO idea that putting my kids in their seats with their winter coats on basically throws all safety checks out the window.
My two favorite articles on winter coat/car seat safety are from The Carseat Lady and Consumer Reports but this one via Scary Mommy has been treading lately on social media. Here’s the skinny- your child’s car seat straps and buckles need to be as close to them as possible. Layers of clothing and light jackets allow this, but big bulky winter coats do not. A good way to check is to buckle your child in with their coat, then unbuckle (without loosing the straps), take their coat off and re-buckle them in…if you can pinch the straps away from their body the coat is too bulky.
Sucks doesn’t it? When we lived in Michigan there was NO WAY my kids were running around without coats from basically October (it snowed there YESTERDAY) – April. One solution is to let them wear their coats to the car, remove the coat and get buckled into their seat, then put their coats on them backwards. Or you can use blankets. OR you can check out an amazing product called Cozy Gozy created by a genius Mommy, and my friend, Michele.
The Cozy Gozy is a fleece blanket/poncho/coat/cape all in one. The best part about them (besides keeping your kid warm) is that you can put them IN their car seat with this on. You just lift the back of the cape over the car seat and use the buckles as normal under the cape. Here is her daughter, “H”, modeling her Momma’s hard work-
Kids still have access to their arms/hands through the slits in the poncho. And they come in a variety of colors perfect for girls and boys. Besides being totally practical and safe…they are SO freaking cute!! And the kids wearing them feel a little like a super hero.
Another huge bonus to the Cozy Gozy is that you don’t have to wrestle your toddler into a coat. My son was the WORST about getting clothing on and forget about a coat. The cape simple velcros at the top and kids still have full range of motion so he didn’t feel like a marshmallow- it made things so much easier when it was time to get out of the house in the winter. And I could still hold him without feeling like he was going to slip out of my arms with a massive coat on.
Michele has worked really hard over the last few years to build her business. I’m am just SO incredibly excited and proud of her. I will rave about this product until the end of time because I truly believe she’s created a quality product that is smart, safe and comfortable for our little ones.
And guess what?! You can enter for a change to win a Cozy Gozy for your little one here!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Finally- If you have a second please consider showing Michele some love and follow her Cozy Gozy journey via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and Google+. XOXOXO
Prizing & samples courtesy of CozyGozy. Giveaway ends at 12 AM on November 4th, 2016. Open to Residents of the US & Canada only. Prizes cannot be shipped to PO Boxes. Winner will be selected by random and be notified by email. Winner have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected. Please note that Naptime Tales is not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. I have represented each sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner. I will contact the sponsor regarding your prize(s). The sponsors, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly. I will make every effort to assist you obtaining your prize. If there is an issue with a sponsor, please notify the blog you won a prize from within 30 days for assistance, after that we may be unable to assist you. The product provided for the review was free of charge from the company. The product offered for the giveaway is free of charge, no purchase necessary. My opinions are my own and were not influenced by any form of compensation. Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and Google+ are in no way associated with this giveaway. By providing your information in this form, you are providing your information to me and me alone. I do not share or sell information and will use any information only for the purpose of contacting the winner.
Very cute and wonderful idea to keep safe. Love the polkadots!!!
Great giveaway!!
The owl print is my fave.
Such a great product. I hope I win one for my new Grandson!!
I love the HotRod!!
All of these are so cute!
I want the Dino print for my 13.5 month old. It is so cute!
What can I say, I’m always a sucker for polka dots. Polka Dot cape would be my favorite for my girls and Camo for my DS.
I recieved my Cozy Gozy about a month ago and I love it! And I get so many compliments on it when my daughter is wearing it. I will definitely be ordering another one soon.
Michele is a good person and friend. I felt so fortunate to receive a Cozy Gozy from her as a shower gift for my new baby due this month. He will use it when he is a bit older of course, and I can’t wait! Everyone was so impressed with the quality of this product. I have a 4 year old that I would love to get one for as well. It is an excellent idea and a truly quality product!
I have always wondered what people did in the winter about coats are carseats since I came across that fact. Thanks for the great tips;
Love the cheetah!
Love the leopard print cozy gozy
I love the cheetah, and the black and white polka dots!!! Thanks for the chance.
What a wonderful product, and soooo cute at that! I love that there are both boy and girl prints. It’s so hard to find something cute for boys and you nailed it! I love it!!!
These are so cute! Love the dinos 🙂
Love the review. It’s so very difficult to find something warm enough to for these northern winters.
Love the purple butterflies!!
I really like the Butterfly one
I hope it shows I entered. Feel like I didn’t know what I was doing. These are cute!!!
It does Amanda! 🙂
This is a awesome design ~ very creative ~ much needed ~ my grand daughter would benefit greatly ♡
The Cozy Gozy is such a handy, convenient piece of clothing! I love the polka dots, too!
This is such an awesome product an would help us parents in more way then one!! What a fantastic idea!! Making parents lives more simple an less stress!!
I have to get one for my daughter. What an amazing idea!