Frequently Asked Questions
When should I switch from an infant car seat to a convertible car seat?
When should I switch from an infant car seat to a convertible car seat?
You should switch from an infant car seat to a car seat when your child either reaches the upper weight or height limit for the infant car seat (usually around 9–12 months) or when the child's head reaches the edge of the infant car seat. It is important for the child to still be rear-facing in the car seat, as this is the safest way for young children to travel.
What does Swedish law say about the placement of child car seats in a car?
What does Swedish law say about the placement of child car seats in a car?
In general, the middle of the back seat is considered the safest place for a car seat, as the distance to the car's sides, and thus potential collision points, is greatest there. However, it is not always possible to install the seat there, for example, due to the size of the seat or the lack of seat belts or ISOFIX attachments.
It is therefore difficult to give a general answer as to where a rear-facing car seat should be placed, as this can vary between different car models. According to the National Society for Road Safety (NTF), the front seat and the back seat are equally safe options when it comes to crash safety (read more on NTF's website here).
Please note, however, that some rear-facing car seats are not approved for installation in the back seat. If the car seat is installed in the front passenger seat, any airbag in front of the seat must be deactivated.
How long should my child ride rear-facing before we switch to a forward-facing car seat?
How long should my child ride rear-facing before we switch to a forward-facing car seat?
Pediatricians and safety experts recommend that children sit rear-facing for as long as possible, ideally up to 6–7 years of age. Rear-facing car seats provide the best protection in a collision, as they distribute the force across the child's body and protect the head, neck, and spine. This is especially important for younger children, whose heads are proportionally larger and heavier compared to the rest of their body.
When is it time to switch from a car seat to a booster seat?
When is it time to switch from a car seat to a booster seat?
You should switch from a car seat to a booster seat when your child has outgrown the car seat or has reached the upper height or weight limit for the car seat.
When switching to a booster seat, it is important that the child's knees can bend comfortably at the edge of the seat. In addition, the child should be large enough for the car's seat belt to fit correctly across their body in the booster seat.
How do I ensure the belt is correctly positioned over the child's body?
How do I ensure the belt is correctly positioned over the child's body?
The lap belt should rest across the child's hip bones, not the stomach, and the diagonal belt should go over the child's shoulder and chest, not their neck. If the belt is not correctly positioned, there is a risk of the child being injured in a collision. Check that the belt is tight and not twisted.
Should the booster seat have a backrest, or is a booster cushion sufficient?
Should the booster seat have a backrest, or is a booster cushion sufficient?
High-back booster seats are recommended as they provide extra support for the child's head, neck, and back, as well as better protection in side collisions.
What is the correct position for the car seat headrest?
What is the correct position for the car seat headrest?
The car seat headrest should be adjusted to be just above the child's shoulders, with enough space to properly support the head in a collision. If the headrest is too high or too low, the child will not receive optimal head and neck protection.
