car seats for carless couples and use of taxis in labour..

[silverfishlondon]

Kinda 2 questions.
Who's used taxis when in labour? We don't have a car and neither do any friends nearby. Any issues with just calling a cab when you need to go in?

I guess we will will need a car seat of some sort at sometime. We are having a second hand buggy from a friend so won't be looking at new ones for travel system options.
Any tips?

Also curious.. say we were out for the day in London and got a cab home with no car seat with us.. is that illegal?

Stupid questions probably, but thanks for any pointers or reassurance!

[NaiceNickname]

They're usually quite funny about you leaving hospital without a car seat if you're travelling by taxi/car. But legally, children under 3 can travel unrestrained in a licensed taxi, over 3 then they have to wear a seatbelt.

I'd probably try and borrow one if you don't want to buy one. I can't say I'd feel very safe carrying a newborn in my arms in a taxi.

[JennyBlueWren]

I'm in the same boat (although not London) but got given an unused carseat with the second hand travel system we bought. Will need it for taxi journeys and with in-laws.
I've heard that you can take smaller prams in black cabs but not normal taxis. You can carry a baby in a taxi if you are caught out e.g. emergency but best to avoid. If you can get a carseat which fits the travel system then you could use it for trips out.

[TheOldestCat]

No issues on calling a cab - we did when I was in labour with my first. I sat on a combination of bin bags and towels as I was worried about my waters going. We didn't tell the cab company as people had warned me there was a risk they wouldn't turn up.

We had a carseat with our travel system so that solved that problem.

Good luck!

[HulaHoopsInTheBath]

I used a taxi to get to the hospital in labour. I did mention it when we rang and not only did they turn up quicker than ever before, but a lovely careful driver too.

There was something in my notes last time about you not being able to take baby without a car seat, but I believe as per the above that it is legal in a taxi. There is nothing in my hospital notes that I have seen this time however.

[foxyfemke]

We're in the same boat too.

I am planning on using a cab to the hospital (although home births are very common here in Holland, I am under hospital supervision so I have to give birth in hospital) and my parents will come and collect us afterwards.

We'll be buying a car seat as we'll need it when in my parents' car and when we're at my husband's family in Scotland as they all have cars there.

[Hatetidyingthehouse]

Yes to first question. Husband doesn't drive. Used taxi in labour twice. No issues at all from drivers. They must be used to it.

[Hatetidyingthehouse]

Also have used taxis without car seats before. Occasional use is fine

[InfantHercules]

You can book a taxi to take you home with the baby which has a car seat. Your midwife/birth centre/labour ward should hopefully be able to supply you with the right local numbers. I asked the very same question at my midwife appointment last week! I'd heard all sorts about hospitals not letting you out without a car seat. My midwife assured me this isn't the case, although I do believe it varies from place to place. I'm in London too.

Also, depending on what state I'm in, I'm hoping to walk home as I live very close to the hospital. Midwife said they'd check to make sure the baby was safe in a pushchair and that would be fine too.

[silverfishlondon]

Thanks! I thought occasionally in taxis would be normal but wasnt sure how was legal.
Agree tho that holding a newborn in taxi for first ride home would worry me! Thats a good solution to arrange taxi with carseat home otherwise husband would have to go home first to colect our own.

[eastmidswarwicknightnanny]

Our hospital sells them for £25 for such eventuality think they are graco or britax brand n obv they have a small stock brought in bulk.

[TinyMonkey]

Also in London, our NCT tutor told us that there are quite a few taxi companies that will take women who are in labour, although Addison Lee won't apparently.

[Dizzylizzie29]

You can rent car seats from nct for 6 months x

[PurpleCrazyHorse]

I personally wouldn't take a baby in any car without a car seat. I'd try to borrow one or rent one. You might find it useful to have one at home for getting to appointments, either with a sick baby or routine jabs etc. We went to out of hours GP several times with DD when she was little, so it's not just about getting home from hospital.

Check out which? or other review sites for good quality cheap ones. We had a Quinny Zapp with a Cabriofix car seat. It clipped straight on the buggy frame from the car so it meant we weren't carry a car seat around with us separate to the buggy. The Zapp folds up super tiny so fits in any car boot, ideal for lifts or taxis.

[ourbabybeau]

I can confirm r.e. Addison Lee as SIL had this problem when visiting us last year thinking she was in labour and the twats wouldn't pick her up- despite us using them very regularly. Ah well, their loss!

[schmalice]

Some hospitals won't let you leave without your baby in a car seat, I know ours won't and friends of mine in another city had to go out and buy one before they were allowed to take their baby home!

[Trunkisareshite]

You can leave without a car seat! There is no 'not allowed', frowned upon maybe but you cannot be kept against your will, it's hospital not prison. If you think there will be a problem just say you are walking home or buy or borrow a second hand seat. As is mentioned above under 3 can legally travel in a taxi un restrained. Just tell anyone who try's to make out they can stop you leaving this. Personally I would get a seat though, it's the safest thing to do.