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Original poster

Do I really need to have a carseat to leave the hospital?

33 replies

djonz · 30/12/2008 16:26

Hi,

I'm due soon and I've heard that hospitals won't discharge you if you don't have a carseat. I've also read that when you're taking a cab (maybe it's just a black cab) you're not required to use a carseat, so I'm confused. These to regulations would seem to contradict one another.

I live in London, don't have a car and almost never use taxis so I really have no need one. Can they really prevent me from leaving when what I'd be doing (getting into a cab w/o a carseat) isn't against the law anyway?

(Please don't reply with lectures on the merits of carseats -- I fully appreciate them but given that I don't see using a car more than just this once over the next few months, it doesn't seem like it makes a lot of sense to buy one if I can avoid it.)

OP posts:

MamaG · 30/12/2008 16:28

can't you just borrow one?

PootyApplewater · 30/12/2008 16:28

Can't you borrow one?
Maybe your midwife could help you locate one.
Or just bung the baby in the boot.

hercules1 · 30/12/2008 16:28

I would say you need to get a car seat anyway. Personally I would want to have one even for a minimum of journeys.

I have never heard though of being discharged without a car seat.

hercules1 · 30/12/2008 16:29

Ah, borrowing one is a good idea.

Tommy · 30/12/2008 16:29

no - how can they make you have a car seat? What if you are walking home?

Howvere, I would say that when you've just had a baby, then car seat is a good thing to carry them home in as they are very safe (especially when you don't quite know what you're doing!)

Could you borrow one for the journey home if you are going in a taxi?

Piffle · 30/12/2008 16:30

you would be amazed at when you might need one.
You can get cheap ones at nearly new sales for infrequent use.
My hospital were very strict. One woman (solo mum skint) was forced to get social workers in to provide one....

Littlefish · 30/12/2008 16:31

Go home on the bus. That's what my sister was planning to do (with twins)!

Thankfully, she changed her mind, borrowed car seats and went in a taxi.

hercules1 · 30/12/2008 16:33

request one on freecycle?

Original poster

djonz · 30/12/2008 16:34

Yeah, I guess I can try to borrow one. None of my friends have kids though, so not sure if I'll be able to track anyone down.

Some cab companies have them, but none of the ones I called have carseats for babies under 12months. Annoying.

OP posts:

bronze · 30/12/2008 16:34

I cant see how they can keep you both what can they do to stop you? Have to agree though a carseat is always useful even if its just for when friends give you a lift

Kbear · 30/12/2008 16:36

A taxi is still a car and your baby will be safer in a car seat - I would borrow one definitely.

Original poster

djonz · 30/12/2008 16:36

hercules1/piffle -- aren't you not supposed to get carseats secondhand b/c they might not work any longer?

If I'm going to get one, I at least want to know it works...

Taking the bus sounds too horrible to contemplate, right after giving birth!

OP posts:

Kbear · 30/12/2008 16:37

where in london are you, I have a rock a tot you can borrow if you are SE

hercules1 · 30/12/2008 16:38

I would rather have a second hand one then none at all. Where are you? You might find someone on mumsnet is near you and has one.

hercules1 · 30/12/2008 16:39

WHen ds was born we didn't have a car but bought a cheap car seat. It was really useful for taxis and getting lifts etc.

WalkingInAWonderStuffingLand · 30/12/2008 16:41

in the sale only £20

Original poster

djonz · 30/12/2008 16:41

I'm in West Hampstead (zone 2, NW London). Kbear, whereabouts in London are you?

OP posts:

Original poster

djonz · 30/12/2008 16:45

Hmm, that is cheap. Maybe I'll just get that one. Thanks for the tip, Walking.

OP posts:

georgimama · 30/12/2008 16:46

They are useful as an infant carrier and for taxi journeys anyway.

WalkingInAWonderStuffingLand · 30/12/2008 16:51

You're welcome I do love a bargin

ReginaFelange · 30/12/2008 16:56

You could also phone the hospital as they may have one you can borrow. Friends of mine did this.

TinselBaublesMistletoe · 30/12/2008 17:06

Yes you do need one, even if you're not getting in a car! I've heard of people who had to borrow a travel system to walk around the corner home. You don't need a carseat in a taxi but you will still need one for leaving the hospital, however you choose to leave.

I agree the hospital may have one you can borrow so do ask, when Tink was in the hospital at 5 weeks we borrowed one as they also wouldn't let us leave there without one.

bronze · 30/12/2008 17:36

SO tempted now to try to leave after having this one without a carseat. I dont see on what ground they can stop you. I do need one though so I'll just get dh to leave it in the car.

TinselBaublesMistletoe · 30/12/2008 17:39

It's the law, they can stop you taking your child from the hospital. They will even follow you to the car to make sure you are putting them into the correct seat.

I've been trying to find what the law states, but having problems at the moment - not on my own PC.

domesticslattern · 30/12/2008 18:10

Whittington Hospital never gave a toss about a car seat. DH spent twenty minutes trying to fit the sodding thing in a taxi (as the meter ticked up), then gave up and we balanced DD on our lap on the way home.

That was last year by the way. I don't recommend it. Given the agony I had gone through to produce that child, it was bloody stupid to even slightly risk injuring her on the way home!

Djonz I too live in Zone 2, no car (in fact, rather anti-car), never saw the point of a car seat. But we did actually use it occasionally eg. when being given a lift by friends, also when going back into hospital after being discharged (sorry if that sounds depressing, these things do happen). You might find yourself using a taxi more than you expect once your LO comes.

I do think it is worth asking around to beg/ borrow one- people will be helpful. Or buy that cheap one.

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