ISOFIX is an international standardized fitting system, which provides the safest, easiest and quickest way to install a child car seat correctly without the need of vehicle seat belts. The name ISOFIX stands for ISO (International Standardization Organization) plus FIX (Fixation). ISOFIX car seats make use of two standard attachment points located at the base of the seat, plus an anti-tipping forward device: either a support leg or top tether. From 2006 all new cars are equipped with ISOFIX, and ISOFIX is also fitted in a large number of car brands built prior to 2006.

If installed properly, a Maxi-Cosi car seat is the safest in its class. The ISOFIX method prevents incorrect installation of the car seat, but is no safer than when the seat is installed using the traditional method. ISOFIX prevents incorrect installation because a colour indicator (red or green) is used to indicate the correct installation of various parts.

Babies have a large and heavy head compared to the rest of their body. In addition, their neck muscles are not yet fully developed. If the baby is transported in a forward-facing position, his or her head will be thrown forward in the event of a head-on collision. This can cause serious neck injury and may even be fatal. By placing the baby in a rear-facing position, the forces exerted during the crash will be distributed across the baby’s entire back.

This is subject to a lot of misunderstanding. This is generally said and written out of concern for babies and, in a nutshell, boils down to the fact that a baby car seat should not be used excessively. Children should not lie in a fixed position for too long unnecessarily. They must be given the opportunity to develop their motor system and arm, back and neck muscles. As manufacturers of the first car seat for babies in Europe, we have of course been including this in our instructions for many years. So do not place a baby in his or her seat for the entire day for reasons of convenience, but give him or her the opportunity to develop. This also applies to front pack carriers and all other products in which a baby sits, hangs or lies in a stationary position. However, this will not be a problem at all if you need to make a relatively long car journey or holiday trip once in a while. Our advice is as follows: stop once every 2 hours. After all, the baby must also eat and be cleaned on a regular basis.

The same principle applies to all car seats and means that your child cannot create extra space if there is no extra space to begin with. Some children have shown us that, with only a minimum of slack in the belt system, they can get a hand between the buckle and their stomach and then, by moving it towards their head, they can get an elbow under the belts – but this requires a very flexible shoulder. These children display a tremendous desire to free themselves from their car seat. Child safety in the car and freedom of movement are not compatible in principle. To transport a child not only safely but also comfortably, a slight amount of slack in the belt system is needed. If the belt is pulled extremely tightly and the child is sitting calmly in the car seat, experience has taught us that all car seats are the same when it comes to 'climbing out of the car seat'. We see a similar pattern in children ages 1-4 years in car seats of various types and from various manufacturers. The belt system is a closed system that keeps the child in the same position continuously - during normal car trips as well as during a sudden stop or accident. This system is closed by securing the child when tightening the belts. If this is done properly, the belts cannot be loosened during use (if this does happen, we ask that you contact our Customer Care team).

Uneven belts may be caused by the incorrect guiding of the harness system. Check at the back of the car seat that the belts are not twisted and that the pull belt (that runs forward at the bottom of the shell) is in the middle of the system. Also check that the belt can move easily to and fro through the shoulder openings. For smooth movement, the belt buckle should be flapped forward completely. This belt buckle operates by releasing the belt tensioner. If the problem continues after you have checked this, consult your retailer.

This is not possible with our current range of products. Our products are developed with a strong focus on safety, quality and user-friendliness. The combination you are asking about would require that we make concessions to these three aspects. We have decided against making such concessions at this time.