Can you also be in doubt about your choice of car seat?
It is completely normal to have many questions, especially as first-time parents, and it can be difficult to choose the right car seat.
New products are constantly coming onto the market, and it can be hard to figure out what the difference is between one model and another.
That’s why we have tried to create a guide for you that makes the choice easier for you.
Your questions might sound like this:
- What is a base?
- Should the car seat be able to rotate?
- Should I have a car seat with Isofix or seatbelt installation?
- Is a Sensorsafe buckle necessary?
- And not least, what is I-size and is it important?
How to choose the right car seat
The car seat is already essential from the start when your newborn needs to go home after birth. It is necessary to have a car seat. This is both for safety reasons, and it is also legally required.
Your child must be secured with approved safety equipment that fits your child's weight and/or height.
The different car seat weight classes are called:
0-13 kg |
9-18 kg |
9-36 kg |
15-36 kg |
| Weight: 0-13 kg | Weight: 9-18 kg | Weight: 9-36 kg | Weight: 15-36 kg |
| Age: 0-9 months | Age: 9 months-4 years | Age: 1-12 years | Age: 3.5-12 years |
| Height: 50-75 cm | Height: 40-100 cm | Height: 75-150 cm | Height: 95-150 cm |
Car seats for babies (0-13 kg)
Car seat 0-13 kg is suitable for a newborn or a baby a few months old.
A car seat is mounted rear-facing in the back seat.
The car seat must be secured with the car's seatbelt, base, or with Isofix. When your child exceeds the recommended weight, or can sit up by themselves, you must switch to a forward-facing car seat.
Most choose a forward-facing car seat when the child is around one year old. This way you have better contact with the child. This way you have better contact with the child, and the seat is easier to install and move from car to car.
Be aware that a forward-facing seat requires a bit more space.
Car seats for small children (9-18 kg)
When your child weighs between 9-18 kg, you should switch to the next car seat.
This size car seat must be installed using the seatbelt or isofix.
The seat should be installed in the back seat. In the seat, there is a fixed harness or booster seat, so your child is kept in place.
We recommend that children always sit in the back seat and let the adults sit in front.
Car seats 9-36 kg
When your child approaches 9 kg or the height limit, it is time for a new car seat. This car seat can be turned as needed, as it can be installed facing backward or in the direction of travel.
The car seat can also be used by small children if they have the height and weight suitable for the car seat.
A 9-36 kg car seat can be used until the child is done with their car seat, making it a good economic investment.
But remember, with this car seat, it is important that you continuously make the necessary adjustments as the child grows. You can always read more about this in the user manuals.
Car seats 15-36 kg
For slightly larger children who need a newer seat, there are also many options available here. Be careful with the so-called booster seats, as they do not actually protect against side collisions. We only recommend seats with back/sides and not booster seats.
A car seat for 15-36 kg is always a good thing. We recommend that children stay in a car seat for as long as possible. However, these car seats can vary, as some car seats have their own harness that keeps the child in place during braking or a booster seat built into the car seat.
Pssst....
What is a base?
A base is a device for the car seat that is fixed in the car, so you just have to click the car seat into the base when you need to go out and drive.
A base makes it easier if you often switch the car seat between cars. There is a greater risk of incorrect installation if you instead secure the car seat without the base and it takes longer.
- Safety is significantly increased
- Reduces the risk of incorrect installations
- Faster and more comfortable when you need to go out and drive
- Your child gets better resting and sitting position options
Should the car seat be able to rotate?
You can live without a car seat that can rotate, but it makes it much easier and more comfortable to choose a car seat that can rotate.
When you need to get your child in and out of the car, it is easier if the seat can rotate, as it can be turned out towards the door where you stand and back again.
Should I use Isofix or seatbelt installation?
If your car already has Isofix, we recommend that you use it, as it is the recommended installation method, ensuring greater safety that the car seat is installed correctly and that your child is securely seated.
You can also choose a car seat with both seatbelt and Isofix installation if you need to use the car seat in two cars, where one does not have Isofix. The seatbelt is just as safe to use even though Isofix is recommended.
Is a SensorSafe buckle necessary?
A SensorSafe buckle is an extra safety feature for your child, which sends you alerts if your child unbuckles, if the room temperature is too high or low, or if your child has been sitting too long in the car seat. SensorSafe sends you alerts to the app you have downloaded.
What is I-size?
I-size classifies the car seat according to the child's height. The child must be over 15 months and over 76 cm before the child can face forward. I-size is a safety certification that was introduced in 2013.
What is Isofix?
Here we have created a complete guide that you can read right here.
