Car Seat Law Question!

[WoburnNic]

Hi All
I've just been told by my sister that I will not be allowed to leave the hospital with my new born unless I have a car seat! What I'm not sure about is this ....

We bought a car seat from birth to 4 years old, which means it's strapped into the car all the time and doesn't click out like the newborn seats. Does this mean that this type of car seat isn't vaild under this law, as I won't be able to bring the seat up to the ward and walk my baby out to the car securely in it? I was assuming that with this type of car seat, the nursing staff would either walk my baby down to the entrance or give her to me and walk us all down?
Confused and nervous, as I thought I was on top of all things baby related!
Thanks

Oh thank you thank you thank you! I had just taken the flipping thing out of its box aswell, so didn't fancy trying to send it back.
We had looked at the newborn seats but we are on a really tight budget with everything right now (we are still paying off the IVF treatments that didn't work before we fell pregnant), so thought that a one seat does all approach would save us the money we desperately need for other essentials.

You should be fine. Invite them to check when you leave if they want to see proof.

FWIW I hate getting the bastard thing back into my car, its a borrowed older model without a click in base, also its heavy and bulky to carry about. I have never removed it unless its going into another car.

HEHE I hear your pain. My sisters had the older models and as soon as they found out I was pregnant they demanded I get a newborn seat, as they said it was the best invention. But they did have their kids over a decade ago, so they weren't aware of the costs of the new isofix seats. We just couldn't justify spending all that money on a seat that was only going to be used for the first year (if that) and then having to spend a further £100 ish for a second one. I am hoping that after 4 years, we will have paid off the loan for the IVF and be able to buy the next step up LOL

Tell them you are going home by bus.

I'm rather hoping Boy grows out of his within the year so I can get one that goes up to age 12. He's quite likely to by midsummer. He's big and tall. Probably half the reason its so back-strainingly rubbish to lug.

Also I don't really like the idea of babe being stuck in the same position hour after hour as he's trugged from car to pram to house and back again, all in the same seat, just to save waking him. But then he's a very good sleeper.

I'm sure the nurses/midwives will be able to reassure you. Sounds like the rule is that they won't let you hold the baby in the car.

Ahh thats partly why I had opted for the seat we bought. I see so many babies in their car seats, all day every day, I don't want it to be a second home for her. I'm also only a little thing, and the thought of carrying a growing baby along with a clunky car seat fills me with dread. I work from home anyway, so apart from visiting (which people come to me normally), I don't see me using the car seat as much as other mums. I was happier with the overall bulkyness of this one aswell, as I wanted something that looked like king kong couldn't knock it over.

Midwives have absolutely no legal right to prevent you leaving hospital without a car seat. In fact even if you they thought you were planning to strap the baby to the roof rack they still cannot prevent you from leaving unless they have a court order. Obviously you are legally required to keep the baby safe but midwives are not there to uphold the law, just to advise you. Sorry to sound stroppy, I get fed up with hearing this sort of paternalistic crap spouted to new parents.