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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Leaving hospital with your baby

58 replies

NannyTee · 17/09/2009 12:27

My daughter has been told she needs a car seat for her 5 weeks old son in order for them to let him home - seems reasonable enough only neither my daughter, her partner, myself, our close family or friends own a car!!! My daughter has everything she needs for her baby except a car seat that she doesn't need!!! What is the reasoning behind this? You used to be able to just wrap up a baby and walk out with him on the day of discharge - he's not even newly born - he's been in hospital for 5 weeks!!

OP posts:
LoveBeingAMummy · 17/09/2009 12:29

HOw will they be getting home?

LilRedWG · 17/09/2009 12:30

If they are walking home it won't be a problem, but if they are using a taxi they will need a car seat.

Rhian82 · 17/09/2009 12:33

Oh, things just say that because they assume you have a car. If he's not being driven home they will be fine to let them leave without a car seat.

If, however, they're getting a taxi then they'll need one - can they borrow one?

Original poster
NannyTee · 17/09/2009 12:33

well actually after being in there for this long she was really looking forward to using the pram - I just think its a bit off that they have finally agreed to release him tomorrow and now I will have to go out and buy a car seat that will just sit there for ever more!!

OP posts:
Bathsheba · 17/09/2009 12:33

We had a couple in my ante natal class who were the same - they cycled everywhere and didn't own a car.

If she is planning on walking home, that is fine, but if she is going to take any form of transport home, whether it is in a relative's car, or a taxi she will need to at least borrow a car seat for that trip.

lynniep · 17/09/2009 12:35

a lot of hospitals have this policy. I understand it but it does seem excessive when many people dont run cars. is there any way you can borrow one from somewhere?

miamla · 17/09/2009 12:35

why on earth are you buying a car seat for him? just tell them that you won't be using a car!

DaisymooSteiner · 17/09/2009 12:37

Some midwives/hospitals seem to be under the mistaken impression that they can prevent someone leaving hospital with their baby because they don't have a car seat. Your daughter is perfectly entitled to just walk out with her baby unless they have a court order preventing them.

Of course if she is going to use a taxi it would be wise to have a carseat.

Rindercella · 17/09/2009 12:38

Has your daughter actually discussed this with the hospital and told them that she is not transporting her DS home by car?

Original poster
NannyTee · 17/09/2009 12:42

Miamla!! my point exactly!!! I just said to her arrive with your pram - and go - she's panicking now - it's her first - she's young!!

Have put out feelers to maybe borrow a car seat - we'll see if we can come up with that first - just makes me so frustrated to assume that everybody drives!!!

DaisyMooSteiner - maybe we'll just have to go in disguise and bust her out!!!!!!!

Thanks guys!!!

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 17/09/2009 12:44

where are you? If you're anywhere near me you can borrow mine - will kill two birds with one stone as no doubt I'll go into labour when car seat less!!
Has she asked why she needs a car seat??

Buda · 17/09/2009 12:44

Just tell them that none of you drive or have cars so a car seat won't be necessary are baby will be safely transported home in a pram. If that is what will happen.

PlasticWoman · 17/09/2009 12:45

The hospital cannot refuse to let your daughter leave without a car seat. If she is walking home, it doesn't matter how she gets there. With taxis, under the 2006 regulations, a child under 3 does not have to wear a restraint in a taxi if there isn't one available, so a baby can be worn in a sling, with the adult then seat-belted in.

lal123 · 17/09/2009 12:45

How on earth would they stop her from leaving?

Pyrocanthus · 17/09/2009 12:46

Just roll up with the pram. They're just trying to stop people from walking out of the hospital into a car with the babe in their arms, surely?

Ewe · 17/09/2009 12:47

I have one that I no longer use if you're in London. Agree though, if he isn't going in the car, it isn't necessary!

StealthPolarBear · 17/09/2009 12:48

Congratulations OP, btw, on the birth of your GS and hope his homecoming goes smoothly

miamla · 17/09/2009 12:48

what about if you phone the hospital to double check on her behalf?

Original poster
NannyTee · 17/09/2009 13:03

I think I will ring them actually - Lewisham Hospital is where she is - we live in Blackfriars - personally I'd rather her come home in a taxi anyway, bless her she's itching to use the pram after waiting all this time - he was gastroscisis - now she's looking at cheap car seats just to conform!!!!!
Thanks for all this help!!!! will let you know how I get on!!!

OP posts:
tethersend · 17/09/2009 13:05

Get a black cab- they are prebookable and you can roll the pram straight in, no carseat required.

tethersend · 17/09/2009 13:05

And congratulations

LeonieSoSleepy · 17/09/2009 13:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Ewe · 17/09/2009 13:14

Nanny, if you don't want to spend the money I have a barely used Mothercare one you can have if you could pick up from Waterloo tomorrow morning, email me on [email protected] if you want.

girlsyearapart · 17/09/2009 13:18

Or if she was part of an NCT group or similar surely one of her group has a seat she could borrow for that journey?

Kayzr · 17/09/2009 13:22

I had this with DS1. My Mum picked us up and she had left the car seat in the car all strapped in ready to go. But they wouldn't let us leave until she went and got it out of the car.

Hope you manage to get a car seat. Congrats!!

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