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AIBU?

To ask what the position is with taking babies home from hospital?

291 replies

scoopingthewater · 22/11/2020 13:52

Do you need a car seat? What if you don’t drive?

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Findahouse21 · 22/11/2020 13:53

You need a car seat if they are going in a car. How are you planning on going home?

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ScotchBunnet · 22/11/2020 13:54

They won’t let you leave without a car seat if you are driving. If you’re taking public transport you will need a suitable pram. I don’t think you need a car seat for a taxi (think a suitable carrier is ok) but you should check because I’m not sure.

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110APiccadilly · 22/11/2020 13:56

You need either a car seat or a pram, for our local hospital. So you can't just walk out holding the baby. I don't know whether a suitable sling would also fit the bill - I imagine so.

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boarboar · 22/11/2020 13:57

Depends on the hospital. At antenatal classes they told us we didn't need one (obviously if we weren't travelling home by car).

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20wedding19 · 22/11/2020 13:57

I had a baby 3 weeks ago and although I hold a driving licence dont have a car currently and we had to have a car seat leaving the hospital.
Took bolt (taxi) home and they wouldn't have taken us without a carseat either but other taxi companies might have different rules

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PrivateD00r · 22/11/2020 13:59

Yes you need a car seat if going in a car. I have honestly never seen anyone go home from my hospital without a car, but obviously that is down to location. Here, people get picked up by someone or get a taxi. We like to see the baby in the car seat before they leave, and currently we assist the mother to the door as her partner cannot come into the ward to collect them.

I would discourage the use of public transport at present but if you have no other choice, then of course you don't need a car seat. Obviously ensure you wear a mask and maybe keep the rain cover over the pram if it isn't too warm/long a journey and absolutely make sure you keep your distance from others. Good luck!

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scoopingthewater · 22/11/2020 14:05

@Findahouse21

You need a car seat if they are going in a car. How are you planning on going home?

That’s why I said what if you don’t drive!
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DobbyTheHouseElk · 22/11/2020 14:09

No one checked me. I did have a car seat, but no one was interested. If they had they might have noticed I didn’t have the newborn head rest thing on...ever. Must have missed that part of the instructions.

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Ponoka7 · 22/11/2020 14:10

If you go on the website for the hospital you are giving birth in, it should be on there.

At our local maternity hospital they do a discharge form and will let you leave without a seat if you aren't driving.

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HollyBollyBooBoo · 22/11/2020 14:11

You might not drive Op but you still might be going home in a car - someone could be giving you a lift!

How are you taking the baby home? What mode of transport?

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CarlottaValdez · 22/11/2020 14:13

I live about 10 mins walk from the hospital. We walked home - nobody checked if we had a car seat or if our pram was suitable.

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scoopingthewater · 22/11/2020 14:13

So if you weren’t going home in a car, would you still need the car seat? That’s all I’m asking! As I’ve heard hospitals won’t let you leave without one but I’ve been all head scratchy and wondering how that works if you aren’t driving!

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PrivateD00r · 22/11/2020 14:13

That’s why I said what if you don’t drive

Most new mothers don't drive themselves home though yet most still go by car (in my trust anyway!). You not being able to drive is pretty irrelevant to the question the pp asked you.

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scoopingthewater · 22/11/2020 14:13

Thanks carlotta and dobby!

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PrivateD00r · 22/11/2020 14:14

@scoopingthewater

So if you weren’t going home in a car, would you still need the car seat? That’s all I’m asking! As I’ve heard hospitals won’t let you leave without one but I’ve been all head scratchy and wondering how that works if you aren’t driving!

Of course not! You need a pram or a baby carrier.
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scoopingthewater · 22/11/2020 14:14

So every mother who gives birth lives with someone who has a car? No one takes the bus or walks anywhere?

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Iwouldlikesomecake · 22/11/2020 14:17

Despite what hospital ‘policy’ might be there is NO law that says you have to take your baby out of a unit in a car seat.

A baby needs to be in a car seat if you are travelling by car (not by taxi, although taxi firms can choose not to take you if you don’t have a car seat or if they don’t provide one). So you are quite within your rights to take your baby home in a sling or buggy although I think most people would rather err on the side of caution and borrow a car seat or use a taxi firm that can provide one.

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scoopingthewater · 22/11/2020 14:17

Thank you!

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sausagedoglove · 22/11/2020 14:19

We bought a car seat but don't own a car. Got a taxi from the hospital when both DC were born.

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lyralalala · 22/11/2020 14:20

You don't need a car seat if you are not driving.

Be prepared for them to a bit odd about it if you tell them you are not as they will likely be very used to babies leaving in car seats.

BIL's gf had to speak to the senior midwife when she was leaving hospital as every time she said she wasn't having a car seat as she lived in walking distance they kept telling her she must have one. Once they actually listened long enough to realise you can see the hospital from her flat they were fine with it Grin

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RicStar · 22/11/2020 14:20

No one ever asked me, and we only bought the car seat in for dc1, I think - we are in London where a lot of people don't drive.

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AldiAisleofCrap · 22/11/2020 14:22

So every mother who gives birth lives with someone who has a car? No one takes the bus or walks anywhere?
No they get a lift or taxi and borrow a car seat from a friend.

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Mumdiva99 · 22/11/2020 14:23

@scoopingthewater have you had a baby before? I walk loads, and walked right up to the day of giving birth....I would not have walked home from hospital.
After baby 1 I had had a CS and struggled to walk to the hospital door.
After baby 2 and 3 I had just passed a baby through my vagina and had stitches and it was sore. I wasn't walking home. No way.
I think most people feel like this. You also have bags to carry. Plus the baby is tiny and may need a feed or a change shortly.....for most people they just want to get home.

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premiumhob · 22/11/2020 14:23

So if you weren’t going home in a car, would you still need the car seat? That’s all I’m asking! As I’ve heard hospitals won’t let you leave without one

This is some bollocks that regularly gets trotted out on Mumsnet. Just wait, someone will be along soon to verify they were told they couldn't t leave without one!!

Realistically there is no law and the midwife has no power to stop you leaving, complete with baby, so long as there is no medical reason to keep you.

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Dishwashersaurous · 22/11/2020 14:23

Most mothers straight after birth won’t want a long walk or public transport. Hence car, taxi, lift from friend etc.

Therefore need a car seat.

But if you explain to the hospital how you are getting home and baby is in a pram they won’t mind

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