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Childbirth

Taking a newborn home without a car - do we need a car seat?

79 replies

startupDad · 21/07/2013 12:24

We're expecting our first (a boy) in September. We live 15 mins walk from the hospital, and don't own a car. We had planned to walk home with a buggy, but have been told that they won't let us leave the hospital without a car seat, even if we are walking.

Of course, it's possible that we will need to get a taxi home or something, depending on how everything goes, but still, it seems like a strange rule.

What do other car-less parents do? Should we just buy a car seat for the sake of showing the hospital, and then carry it home while pushing a buggy with the baby in it?

OP posts:

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readysteady · 21/07/2013 12:26

I don't think they can stop you leaving the ward it's your baby after all! They can just advise a car seat. Good luck with your new baby xx

readysteady · 21/07/2013 12:28

Just bear in mind that dependent on the birth you may not be able to walk that far anyway so may need a car seat anyway for the taxi/lift. I couldn't walk that far after my natural birth or sections just a thought.

Satnightdropout · 21/07/2013 12:30

Pretty certain I saw someone leaving the ward with their baby in a pushchair last week when I was there :) think they'd be more concerned if you left carrying her tbh.

ThingummyBob · 21/07/2013 12:31

I had to have a right old wrangle with a couple of midwives leaving the hospital with my pfb 13 years ago.

It seemed mysterious to them that I may want to walk home with my baby/partner and they actually said I "shouldn't" walk so soon after giving birth

Obviously it wasn't the best way to leave but I did simply walk off in the end. We drove the next time but had I been planning on walking again I definitely would have mentioned/discussed it on the ward before being officially discharged, so maybe do that!

missesjellybean · 21/07/2013 12:35

do you have anyone you could borrow one from like a friend or family member just as a one for the day? if you end up with needing stitches or caesarian or if it's chucking it down you probably won't want to walk the 15minutes home.

if you do borrow one eg for getting a taxi home, just check with the person theyve never had a car accident in it and that it's in good safe working order.

missesjellybean · 21/07/2013 12:37

sorry posted too soon...that way you can plan to walk home but if there are any hiccups you know you have a back up plan ... I think walking home sounds lovely. I don't see why they should have a problem with it at the hospital but then they are a strange breed!

newbiefrugalgal · 21/07/2013 12:42

Nightmare! I had this stress and then after leaving hospital no one asked. We ended up getting a bus.

Don't waste money on a car seat. Take proof of address and walk home!
Safer than any car too.

newbiefrugalgal · 21/07/2013 12:45

I had c section too.
Bus journey was fine. Even went via primark to buy granny undies (essential post OP)
Then got another bus to the high street.
Had a coffee then walked home.
You will be fine walking fifteen minutes.

FluffDragon · 21/07/2013 12:48

Just be aware it took me about 15 mins to walk from hospital bed to car 2 days after my birth and that was only a 3 minute journey.

Longfufu · 21/07/2013 13:33

15 min walk after a c section is too long, borrow a car seat and get the bus or a taxi.

Cavort · 21/07/2013 14:04

I gave birth 16 days ago with forceps and episiotomy and definitely couldn't have walked for 15 minutes the day after. Hopefully you won't need similar but do bear in mind that you might not be able to walk even a short distance and plan accordingly.

thistlelicker · 21/07/2013 14:06

Be aware it's against the law to use a car unless its a taxi without a car seat! I think it's fine to walk but be prepared for all eventualities of delivery/complications that may mean u can't walk that far also your pain threshold too! Too much too soon may hinder road to recovery! Hope your delivery goes the way u want

burberryqueen · 21/07/2013 14:07

i had moses baskets in a black cab

CeliaLytton · 21/07/2013 14:11

No reason why, even if you need to get a taxi, your partner couldn't wheel baby home in the pram and you meet them there. I would borrow one to keep in the house and then if you do decide you want to get a lift/taxi with baby you have the option, your DP can bring it to the hospital when he comes to collect you.

ClaraOswald · 21/07/2013 14:25

So will you never use a car in your child's first year of life?

Get one, then you have it.

Eeeeeowwwfftz · 21/07/2013 14:28

Celia I'm guessing from the OP's handle that their partner is the one giving birth, but otherwise your suggestion is a good one. Stand your ground with the midwives - what are they going to do? Force you to stay in the hospital for the rest of your lives? Just point out that you're not going home in a car so - however you end up doing it - and ask one of them to accompany you home if they don't believe you.

We don't have a car and had endless conversations with healthcare professionals on the subject of car seats. At one point we considered buying a car just to shut them up. As it happened we ended up walking to the hospital and getting a taxi back with the baby in a sling. We did need to enlist a midwife to help us get a live squirmy infant into the sling though - previous practice with a teddy bear didn't help very much! Walking would have been impossible. Even the speed bumps were eye-watering.

Eeeeeowwwfftz · 21/07/2013 14:31

Clara And what if they don't?

BetterToLaugh · 21/07/2013 14:32

You know your own pain threshold I suppose, but what happens if being out in the fresh air and walking that far makes you all dizzy. If you're really against buying one,prepare yourself for you having to get a taxi and partner walking home with baby x

maja00 · 21/07/2013 14:36

The hospital/midwives cannot stop you leaving. In isn't a prison.

They could try calling the police I suppose, but somehow I doubt the police would rush round to intercept a couple walking home with a newborn.

Your options would be walking home, taking a taxi (black cab you can wheel the pram into is easiest) or a bus, or you walking the baby home and your partner going by taxi.

NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 21/07/2013 14:36

You need a car seat. What if you have to call a taxi to get to the hospital for some reason on day two of being home with the baby? Just get one..

TheSecondComing · 21/07/2013 14:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

maja00 · 21/07/2013 14:37

Obviously if you do as Eeeowwwfftz did and take the baby in a sling, never strap the baby and you in the same seat belt - strap yourself in, not the baby.

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CreatureRetorts · 21/07/2013 14:39

Man alive I could barely walk down the corridor let alone 15 mins home post birth.

We had a car seat but not a car with our first.

TheYamiOfYawn · 21/07/2013 14:44

I had mine at home, but I don't think you need a car seat. It's worth getting one if you are planning on using a car or taxi in the next 9 months or so, but otherwise there isn't much point. I bought a new one because I thought I had to, and it was a big waste of money.

marthastew · 21/07/2013 14:47

Thistlelicker, even if you are in a taxi, it is still illegal not to have a car seat. It is the responsibility of the driver that everyone in the car is wearing seatbelts or using approriate restraints. For babies and children up to a certain weight, that is a car seat.

Someone mentioned slings. Please don't do this. This is REALLY dangerous and also illegal. Plus, many newborns are not big enough to go in slings safely, even if you were going to use it to walk home.

I would get one and then at least you have the choice - taxi or walk.

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