Car seat

[Ruhina30]

Do I need to buy a car seat for one day because I don’t have a car??

Or is there any alternative option to take baby home by bus?

Please help.

Thanks in advance.

[destiny121]

Good question as not everyone drives. Could you perhaps borrow a car seat for that day perhaps? X

[XxjustmexX]

I no the hospitals round by me your not allowed to take the baby home without a car seat, my friend had a car seat that was all ready fixed into the car they made her bring it into the hospital 🤦🏼‍♀️ like you said what happens if you want to catch the bus home 🤷‍♀️ I would suggest try borrowing one for the day xx

[hannahzh]

I would ask your midwife at your next appointment. You won’t be the only one who has been in this situation. I assume you have a pushchair, so I would have thought that would be ok, but check with your midwife (and maybe the hospital). Good luck!

[amazed]

Every hospital birth I've had I've had to be collected by car, even taxi will do. My brother collected us after my second birth when neither me, nor my then partner could drive. Unless they let you stay in hospital for days and days then you probably won't feel much like going to get the bus home. You'll also be exposing your brand new tiny person to lots of germs on public transport so I wouldn't recommend it. Hospital birth makes the risk of interventions much higher and after an instrumental delivery or a caesarean then you definitely won't feel like walking very far.

I know it's an out there suggestion but have you considered a home birth? Home is the safest place for low risk mothers and it means you don't have to do anything in those first precious hours and days, other than snuggle your beautiful baby and pottr around in your own space. No better place to labour either.

I had my 3rd at home and it was the most wonderful experience. At home you are the most important prson in the room (with 2 midwives' undivided attention), at the hospital the patient is always bottom of the hierarchy xx

[E_05]

My SIL lives opposite the hospital and was planning to walk home, she had a really straightforward birth. She brought the pushchair into the hospital and they wouldn’t discharge her until she had a car seat x

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to E_05]

That’s madness!

[emmab178]

Got to have a car seat to get discharged. Get a taxi home.

[Kempton]

Some taxi firms have them..Could you call and find one that does? You can also go in a black cab with your baby in a pushchair. They have little hooks so they can lock your pushchair in.

[Kempton in reply to Kempton]

Just to add, it's perfectly legal to travel by black cab with your baby in a pushchair. As the pushchair will be locked in place (make sure you ask the driver to do this) and you've put the break on, it's safe.

[ALLY81]

Know it sounds a bit cheekyand a bit of a faff but could you buy one keep the receipt and then take it back??? maybe order online and then if possible return to a store or get someone else to do it for you??? Xxx

[Kata89]

I get it seems silly to have a car seat and no car. But what if you go out with a friend who does drive? You'd need one then. You can get them relatively inexpensively and it's a good idea to have one around. If you never use it sell it on later. I wouldn't recommend going in a taxi without one, even though it's legal, (unless black cab). And if you take baby in a private car eg a friend or your parents with out a proper fitting carseat you can get in all sorts of trouble. Which is why I think hospitals make sure that you have one. I really think you're better off buying one and knowing baby is safe, even if it is second hand.