Do we need a car seat if we don't have a car?

[Leeela]

...and live in London close to tube and bus stops?

We thought we might need one to take a taxi home from the hospital after the birth - but theoretically we could also bring the pram and take a bus, it's quite close.

Or do black cabs have their own baby car seats anyway - I swear I heard something like that once?

Any advice much appreciated!

[NapQueen]

Black cabs big enough for buggies are apparently safe, turn the buggy backwards. Like those hackney carriages type things.

Id not recommend the bus as you will probably be exhausted, in pain and still bleeding. You may not, but it is highly likely.

Tbh I think it is possible to get the infant seats new for low cost. Just incase you ever get a lift or non hackney cab anywhere.

[brummiesue]

Trust me, you will not want to take the bus home after having a baby!!

[minipie]

Black cabs don't have car seats but you can get a buggy into them, so baby stays in buggy, assuming it's not a huge monster of a buggy.

Not ideal to take bus home from birth tbh - fine for baby but may be rather uncomfy for you. Could you perhaps borrow a car seat just for that bit?

[BrawneLamia]

Can you borrow a car seat for the journey home from hospital? I wouldn't fancy the bus.

[HailLapin]

Yes , you need one. As others have said , you will want the comfort of a cab after giving birth.

Also you will need it for any car journeys with your baby afterwards. We bought a cheapish one as we don't have a vehicle either.

[Leeela]

Ah fair enough, no bus then! But that's great to know about the black cabs, thanks.

Other than getting home after the birth, have those of you without own cars ever needed a car seat? I.e. making it worth the investment even if it's just used sporadically?

[HailLapin]

We paid £35 for ours by the way op.

[Leeela]

Wow, £35! That's not so bad then really

[timeisnotaline]

I had a car seat capsule that fits into the pram instead of the baby cot piece. You need adaptors typically. We found it brilliant for being able to catch cabs around when out without having to worry about the baby :)

[tissuesosoft]

We don't own a car (live in West London) and we bought a car seat from Kiddicare. Think it was £60 and covers a few of the stages. We store it in what was the airing cupboard inside the original box, has been used a lot!

[SpaghettiAndMeatballs]

We had our first whilst living in a city - we came back (6 minute journey) in a cab, and didn't use a car seat (legal, up to you how you feel about the risk).

We didn't have a buggy (carrier was easier for public transport) or a car seat until we had to hire a car for a trip, then it was cheaper to buy one than borrow one from the car hire company - only trouble was the amount of space it then took up in our hall cupboard!

[IwillrunIwillfly]

I'm not london but where i live even the black cab style taxis big enough to jave a pram in make you put them down and in the boot as theyre a danger if there was a crash as thoy could hurt people. Children are allowed in a taxis without a car seat but never seems like a safe option! My friend didnt have a car when her dd was born but a cheap one for around 40 to do for taxis and also if she was getting a lift from people etc.

[MrsLilymunster]

Dont drive but we got a car seat because we got a lift home from a friend! Plus getting a cab doesn't always mean black cab so it's just usful to have on the whole! ! Xxx

[1stTimeRounder]

Agree they are useful to have even if you currently rarely get in a car... think about how you woukd get to any urgent or last minute doctor appointments with a screaming baby. Also if you need to be somewhere at a certain time and there are already 2 or 3 buggys on the bus then a taxi might be your only option.

You'll also start to notice quite how many steps and stairs there are on the tube and tea in network once you have to navigate with a pram.

If you have any friends with a car seat their baby is about to grow out of then maybe just borrow that. 2nd hand from people you don't know is not advised as you don't know the history e.g. if it's been in an accident.

[Lissette]

We didn't have a car when ds was born but bought a seat anyway. Used it for trips to doctor, airport, friends etc by taxi. I'm glad I had one.

[Downbutnotyetout]

When I had my DD in London 3 years ago they wouldn't let you leave without the baby in a car seat. Well I remember being told that, not sure if I am remembering correctly though, it's a bit of a haze. But worth checking if there are any particular discharge requirements

[piglet81]

We walked home from hospital, baby in pram! It's actually my favourite memory of the early days...one of the only good ones TBH. We're spoilt though as hospital is only 5 minutes' walk under normal circumstances (rather longer when in labour or hobbling after EMCS...)

My SIL gave us their car seat and we used it a handful of times for getting lifts to places.

[ChocolatePancake]

Uber is your safest, most comfortable best bet (and far cheaper than a black cab)

[Orangebird69]

You can legally take your baby in the rear of a taxi without a car seat. Black cabs can fit a whole pram in them (my dad was a London cabby in the 70s and I used to travel on a giant old silver cross in the back). I would say it's useful to have a carseat though for if/when you get lifts with family, friends etc.

[tissuesosoft]

I would also check with the hospital as many won't let you leave (to use a car/taxi) without a car seat. We debated getting one once DD grew out of the one that came with the travel system but it has been so useful. Hospital appointments, going out with friends/family, taking her to the local supermarket etc

[MooMooTheFirst]

Just as an idea - the pram I bought came with a car seat attachment. He only fit in it for three or four months but if you looked for a travel system (poncey name but I think that's what they're called) then you wouldn't be buying a car seat on its own? Then you've got a while to see how much you'd use it.

[tamepanda]

We bought a travel system pram, came with a pram that turns into a pushchair and can be used with a car seat too. We've just bought DD a new car seat (group 1/2/3) as we had to hire a car for our holiday and her baby car seat didn't fit in the car safely!

She's just turned 20 months!

[NapQueen]

Please dont just take baby loose in the back of an Uber or other car. It may be legal but it absoloutley isnt safe!

[DueOct30th]

I love that people are saying the hospital won't let you leave. What will they do handcuff you to the bed for goodness sake!

[SquareWord]

DueOct30th - and hold your baby hostage! It's become an urban myth so lots of people believe it. Just like the myth that you can't drive for six weeks after a csection.