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Childbirth

Car seat - do I really need one?

62 replies

tami2k · 23/09/2019 11:21

Hi FTM, 35weeks, deciding which pram/travel system to get..we currently don't drive, wondering do we really need a car seat? We will be using taxi and lifts to appointments etc

Wanting to get a carry cot as will be using it a lot and I know it's not recommended to use car seat for prolonged period.
Thanks xx

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MyDcAreMarvel · 23/09/2019 11:22

Yes to use for lifts and taxis.

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hormonesorDHbeingadick · 23/09/2019 11:23

Get one that can be belted in. There is no way I would take a baby in any car without being in a car seat.

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LongtimeLurker29 · 23/09/2019 11:23

Hospitals where I am won't get you leave it unless you have a suitable car seat

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LongtimeLurker29 · 23/09/2019 11:24
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LongtimeLurker29 · 23/09/2019 11:25

Let you leave that was supposed to say ☝🏻

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TerribleCustomerCervix · 23/09/2019 11:27

You can get a car seat from Argos/ Mothercare for £40, which will fit your child for up to 12-15 months.

I don’t know why you wouldn’t get one tbh, especially if you know you’ll be using taxis regularly.

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Roozy123 · 23/09/2019 11:27

Of course you need a car seat!? How are you getting home from the hospital?? Also.. you're planning on taking cabs - the baby will need to be in a car seat!?

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luckygreeneyes · 23/09/2019 11:27

How would you get lifts without one?

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tami2k · 23/09/2019 11:31

I saw gov link guys but wasn't clear on under 3s in Taxi's. From what I understood children can travel without car seat as long as in rear 🤷🏻‍♀️

Would anyone buy a second hand car seat? It's just that I know it won't get used that much and needs to ofcs be compatible with egg/icandy/silver cross Prams I've shortlisted

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Thoughtlessinengland · 23/09/2019 11:33

You say you will get lifts. In friends’/other peoples’ cars yes? What will your child travel in, during these lifts?

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Hereshopingforimprovement · 23/09/2019 11:34

I can't actually believe someone would contemplate taking a baby in a car without one. Where it may be legal in a taxi, it is certainly not safe. It is not legal to get a lift without one unless it is unplanned ie an emergency.

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Thoughtlessinengland · 23/09/2019 11:34

Car seats, Btw should never ever be bought second hand. You cannot use one that has been involved in an accident and you will not know whether it has been compromised or not just by looking at it and thinking “this looks ok”.

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TheStakeIsNotThePower · 23/09/2019 11:34

Technically yes for a taxi the child doesn't need to be in a seat, nor do they legally need one for for one off, unplanned trips etc. But physics still applies should there be an accident.

As for second hand, I would happily use a seat from a trusted friend or family but otherwise I wouldn't as you don't know if it has been in an accident or how it has been stored. Eg in a loft exposed to extremes in temperature which weakens the seat. It's just not worth the risk for your baby.

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Roozy123 · 23/09/2019 11:35

My mind is blown.

Imagine you were to crash or even a car was to jult the car you're in forward and your baby isn't in a car seat!?

There is nothing wrong with a 2nd hand car seat just make sure you have one. The baby 100% every single time NEEDS to be in a car seat... nothing else will be close to keeping your child safe in a car

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Thoughtlessinengland · 23/09/2019 11:36

The lift thing is really bugging me.

Children need to be in a car seat to travel in a car. It is illegal to hold them in your arms. It does not matter whether car is being driven by mum, dad or sue from round the corner. The child still needs to be in a car seat.

So how’s that going to work without buying a car seat?

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tami2k · 23/09/2019 11:36

@hormonesorDHbeingadick hi when u say ones that can be belted in which ones am I actually looking for? Sorry I'm totally alien to all this and a bit overwhelmed with everything I need to get.


Thanks everyone x

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Thoughtlessinengland · 23/09/2019 11:36

My mind is also totally blown.

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MuchTooTired · 23/09/2019 11:37

I personally wouldn’t buy a second hand car seat but I drive so mine got used a lot, but I sold my two on eBay so obviously some people do! When I sold mine I was happy to provide proof of my insurance to show they hadn’t been in a car crash, but neither purchaser wanted to see it. I’d say for occasional use a second hand one would probably be the route I’d take.

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Thoughtlessinengland · 23/09/2019 11:37

Look at the Mumsnet car seat reviews and choose from there? Cheap belt ones that fix to any car with a seat belt about £35 from mothercwre

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Hereshopingforimprovement · 23/09/2019 11:37

Do not buy second hand. Cat seats that have been in very bad accidents can appear completely undamaged. There is no way to visually determine whether a second hand seat is safe. A belted infant carrier can be bought for around £40.

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RainOrSun · 23/09/2019 11:39

The not required in taxis is a logistics thing, and nothing to do with safety.
Please get a car seat for your child.

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tami2k · 23/09/2019 11:40

Okay idk how I was contemplating not getting a car seat esp if I'll be using taxis. The gov website confused me so I thought I may be ok not getting one. Looking at the replies it's fair to say it's a safe investment for sure

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PragmaticWench · 23/09/2019 11:40

Belted-in means a seat that is held in place just by the seat belt, rather than by the iso-fix attachments at the base of a car seat. All modern cars have iso-fix attachments, and a baby car seat is MUCH safer clipped to these and using the car seatbelt than just held in by the seat belt.

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Notabadger · 23/09/2019 11:41

We don't have a car but do have car seats.
Had hand me down ones from close friends where I know they have not been in an accident. For babies it's easy as you can pop the baby seat on a travel system buggy if you are using taxis.

Had to take toddler in a taxi without one once when we were stranded without other transport and it scared the bejesus out of me!

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Spam88 · 23/09/2019 11:43

Yes obviously you need one if you're going to be getting lifts. It would be illegal to travel without one. Whilst it wouldn't be illegal to travel in a taxi without one, there's no chance I'd ever take a baby/child in a car without one. Especially given the way most taxi drivers drive!

You'll be able to get something for about £40 new. Secondhand is a big no no unless you know the history of the seat (so might be alright from family or friends that you trust, but don't buy one from a stranger). As others said, you need one that can be belted in rather than isofix. I think most of them can be..?

Sounds like you might be best going into a shop, even if it's just mothercare, to get an idea of what's available that's compatible with your pram base. You can get clips to make certain brands compatible with others as well.

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