Cosco APT 40RF Convertible Car Seat Review And GIVEAWAY! 6/15

As the parent of not one, but two rambunctious toddlers, I always have to be alert. One baby is challenge enough to keep up with, but when there are two of them, it can make things downright nerve-wrecking!

After all, babies and toddlers are curious little creatures. Kids can knock down baby gates and "explore" areas of the home they may not be allowed to roam on their own, can climb up furniture, and can even find a way to get into everything. My daughter even found a way to physically break the screwed-in backing off of a toy and swallowed a button battery last year. This resulted in a trip to the ER and thankfully, a good outcome to what could have been a fatal situation. Yes, everyday is a new adventure as the parent of two toddlers, and safety is always on the forefront of my mind.

As every parent knows, accidents can and DO happen when you have kids. There are bumps, scrapes, bruises, and other mishaps that cannot be prevented. Thankfully, most of these can be fixed with a bandage and some "magical Mommy kisses". There are also plenty of accidents that can be prevented altogether by using common sense and always practicing safety, such as wearing a helmet when riding bikes, using enclosures when jumping on a preferably spring-free trampoline, and avoiding electrocution by covering all electrical outlets. But what about accidents that can't necessarily be foreseen or prevented, like an automobile accident?

Car accidents are every parent's worst nightmare. They happen in a split second and can have devastating results. While we may not be able to prevent an accident, we can ensure out children are protected in the event that one occurs. How do we do this? By making sure there is a safe and secure car seat installed.

A good car seat is one of the most important and potentially life-saving products a parent will have to invest in. With 2 babies, though, the cost of car seats can literally break the bank. There are so many great car seats out there, and some of the price-tags soar well into the $300+ range. When buying for multiple children, this can put a very real strain on a family's budget.

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I'm sure you've all heard that old saying "You get what you pay for." Well, in many cases, that's true. But in others, price doesn't always dictate safety, quality, or functionality. What if I told you that you can purchase a high quality car seat that grows with your child while allowing them to safely stay rear-facing longer for well under $100? Well, it's true! That's where Cosco comes in!

If you haven't heard of Cosco before, you're in for a real treat. This company has been around since 1935, and they are committed to making high-quality and safe juvenile products that every family can afford. They have a wide selection of car seats, strollers, playards, high chairs, and even swings and walkers, all at affordable prices. They even come in trendy, fashion-forward colors and prints. Concerned about quality and safety? Well, with Cosco, you needn't be. These products all meet or exceed all safety guidelines and requirements.

Recently I got to try out one of Cosco's great convertible car seats for myself. The Apt 40RF Convertible Car Seat is a wonderful option for babies 5-40lbs! Yep, that means your bundle of joy can enjoy this car seat for a few years before needing to upgrade. Here are some product features:

• Rear-facing 5-40 pounds and 19-40 inches
  
• Forward-facing 22-40 pounds and 34-43 inches
  
• Side Impact Protection
  
• 5-point center front adjust harness
  
• 4 harness heights
• 3 buckle locations
• 2 integrated cup holders

We received a very attractive pink floral pattern, which is perfect for my very girly 2 and a half year old. The first thing I noticed, aside from the adorable print, is that this car seat is quite durable and very well-constructed. It is incredibly sturdy and is designed to provide comfortable seating as well as protection from harm while on the road. Take a look at some photos of the Apt 40RF Convertible Car Seat  before installation.

How cute is that?! I know it appears purple, but trust me, it's quite pink!

Side view

And the rear.

The Apt 40RF Convertible Car Seat was easy to install, and my husband had it properly in place in less than 5 minutes. I drive a 2006 Mercedes E350, so my backseat is quite large for a sedan. Notice that I have 2 rear-facing car seats in the backseat, and there's still enough room for my 12 year old to squeeze in between them. 

My daughter, Sophie, squealed with joy when she saw her new carseat from Cosco. She loved the print, and immediately started pointing and saying "Look...Flowers!" over and over again. The Apt 40RF Convertible Car Seat is easy to adjust and I found the perfect setting for my petite 28lb 2 year old with no problem at all. Since there is a 5 point harness, I can always be sure that she's well secured as we travel.

Plenty of room to grow!

Pretty in her pink Cosco car seat!

She seems very comfortable in the carseat!

Overall, we really like the Apt 40RF Convertible Car Seat. It's very fashionable, and is sure to please any little princess. Let's face it: Looks DO matter when it comes to baby gear! No one wants an ugly car seat, stroller, or playard. For all you parents of little men, there's a more masculine option for you all, too!

This car seat is also very generously sized, and my daughter will be able to use it for quite some time still, even though she's already 2 and a half years old. When they say this seat grows with your child, they were not exaggerating in the slightest. As you can see, my Sophie has plenty of room to stretch out and ride in comfort. This comes in especially handy when we go on longer road trips, such as the 8 hour drive to Ohio to see my family.

I also love that this seat allows a child to remain rear-facing all the way to 40lbs. You can also face forward once baby reaches 22lbs and 34 inches, if you choose, but I happen to prefer rear-facing, as I feel it is much, much safer. My husband disagrees with me there, as he feels having a rear-facing car seat doesn't allow him much leg room behind the wheel.


There are a couple of very minor changes I would make to the Apt 40RF Convertible Car Seat. First, I would add just a little bit more padding to cushion smaller babies. Also, I would love it if the car seat were just a tad bit narrower. It is pretty wide. This is wonderful for baby as it gives them plenty of room to relax, so this is great for families with one baby. But for families with more than one child in car seats, like mine, the wide frame of this car seat makes the backseat a little more cramped. (According to my 12 year old who generally has to sit between his little brother and sister.) Finally, I would make the cup holders slightly larger. While I can fit most of my sippy cups into the holders comfortably, there are a few that are simply too large to fit.


In the whole scheme of things, these changes are very minor and would not deter me from recommending the Cosco Apt 40RF to anyone, or from purchasing one myself. This seat is very well-made, pleasing to the eye, and offers all of the safety features that are so important to me as a mom. And for a mere $55? That's an absolute steal! Who says you have to sacrifice safety or quality by choosing an affordable car seat? With Cosco, you've got the best of both worlds!


HOW TO CONNECT:

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WIN IT!

I am thrilled to announce that one lucky reader will be receiving an Apt 40RF of their own, in either a boy or girl's print, courtesy of the awesome folks at Cosco! How cool is that!?

Enter on the easy Rafflecopter form below!

This giveaway is open to US Residents 18+ until 11:59PM on June 15, 2012. No PO Boxes. Winner will be drawn using Rafflecopter's Random Number Generator. All entries will be verified, so play fair! I will notify winner via e-mail and they will have 48 hours to reply before I am forced to redraw winners. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. This contest is not affiliated with Facebook in any way. Thanks for entering, and Good Luck!

***Disclosure:I received a complimentary products and information to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided.As always, all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***

a Rafflecopter giveaway