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Original poster

Am I being irrational about the car seat?

44 replies

greipfaa · 05/01/2023 19:26

Dc 6 weeks. Not yet left the house other than a local walk. I’m going mad. Have a car and a car seat but scared to go out as I worry their head will go forward and won’t be able to breathe. Can anyone tell me when they used theirs? Am I worrying unnecessarily?

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JanuaryBirthdays · 05/01/2023 19:41

I used it to take all 3 of mine home when they were born.
Your baby will be fine in the car seat, you can get a mirror so you can see them from the rear view mirror if you are worried.
Little trips out in the car are fine from birth.

MGee123 · 05/01/2023 20:09

How did you get home from hospital?! They'll be fine - jump in and get on with it!

Original poster

greipfaa · 05/01/2023 20:10

Yes fine from hospital. Just haven’t since.. how do you stop the head from slipping?!

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Triffid1 · 05/01/2023 20:12

Yes, you are being irrational. Assuming you have an appropriate and hugh quality car seat, rear facing, you will have no problem.

Why haven't you been out for walks and other events? If you are isolating yourself and baby it might be a good idea to chat to your health visitor or GP to get some support.

WandaWonder · 05/01/2023 20:16

We just used the car seat as it was meant to be used like millions of other people do with their babies

Redcrayons · 05/01/2023 20:16

You are being irrational, but it’s understandable.

Is the seat tilted backwards? The baby won’t be able to lift their head enough for it to fall forward. Perhaps you could get someone to drive the car so you can sit in the back and see how little their head moves.

AlwaysFoldingWashing · 05/01/2023 20:20

Maybe you could try a drive using quieter roads and stay closer to home until you feel more confident. At that age they won't be able to lift their head very easily, if at all, on their own. Get a nice big mirror, take time to ensure the seat is properly fitted and the mirror adjusted to the right position, take a few deep breaths and just give it a go. Good luck

Mummyboy1 · 05/01/2023 20:20

Depends on the car seat, it nay or may not provide the best fit. If its a good fit then the head won't come down/ go forward. You can join a Facebook group called Car seat safety UK (I think, something along that) and ask for a fit check.

BabyMomma2021 · 05/01/2023 20:26

I felt the same and hated using the car seat when my baby was little as she always seemed uncomfortable and I was worried about her chin being down.
Can someone else drive and you sit in the back with baby to reassure yourself before driving on your own?

I had/have post partum anxiety so may be worth seeing GP as it may be contributing to your worries xx

GiltEdges · 05/01/2023 20:34

I can’t picture how the head would be able to come forward if the baby has been placed and fastened into the seat correctly. The newborn insert for most car seats basically means they’re tilted slightly backwards, specifically to avoid this.

CurlyNo2 · 05/01/2023 20:38

I totally understand where you are coming from. I also used to worry about this with DS1 especially when the hospital drummed into my head that they shouldn’t spend longer than 30mins in the car seat due to potential breathing difficulties, especially if there head fell forward and restricted their breathing. I feel more relaxed about this with my current DS2 who is 6 weeks.

watchfulwishes · 05/01/2023 20:47

You are not being irrational, very young babies are not supposed to be in car seats for long periods but it is OK to be in them for shorter periods.

It is natural parenting instinct to want to protect your baby. Start small and build up. This website has info to explain, your questions are not unreasonable: www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/car-seats-and-sids/

WWGDD · 05/01/2023 20:50

We had a mirror that fitted to the headrest of the backseat so we could see the baby in the car seat.

roughoption · 05/01/2023 20:54

There's a group on Facebook that will give you a fit check and provide reassurance that baby is safe and fits well in the seat if you think that might help? car seat safety uk is the group

gogohmm · 05/01/2023 20:57

Yes you are being irrational. Took dd 120 miles to see relatives at 11 days old then flew 6000 miles at 7 weeks. She was just fine

CuddlesPleaseTiddles · 05/01/2023 20:58

Yes of course you are. But you know that, and you should take it easy on yourself. It's normal to develop anxiety after the pfb. It's not good for you to stay home all day, why don't you try baby steps(no pun intended) ? More frequent walks, baby groups, baby wearing... Then maybe ask someone to drive while you sit at the back with the baby to observe? They really are resilient, my last one was in a bike at two months but that was my third 🤣 now he's a feisty 6 year old, no neck problems!

keepaweatheredeye · 05/01/2023 21:04

Does your car seat fit into a travel system? My DS hated lying flat in the pram so we took him most places with the car seat. This might help you see it's super safe?

PeachyMama · 05/01/2023 21:06

I can very much relate to this. DS is now 4 months but for the first few weeks of his life I was SO worried about the car seat I was almost having panic attacks about taking him out in it. Long story short I got a different one I was happy with. The old one was silver cross and was a bad angle where baby what slumps forward,changed to a maxi cozi one and it's sooo much better nice angle for baby and it stopped me worrying, hope that makes sense. Am willing to give more info if needed because as I say I was a nervous wreck for the exact same reason so I get it x

Legoninjago1 · 05/01/2023 21:14

Which one do you have? As I recall we had maxi coal pebble and they're positioned lying back a bit. We also had those mirrors that you put over the back seat so you can look in the rear view mirror and see the baby.

NewYearOldMee · 05/01/2023 21:19

Do you have the newborn insert which fits around their head? I got out and about once mine was 2 weeks old and never had a problem. Mine always fell asleep I’m the car, never cried, always looked very comfortable.

BerthaYoung · 05/01/2023 21:32

Not sure anyone should be saying ‘you are being irrational’ without seeing your car seat. Is it properly fitted? FWIW our back seats are annoyingly tilted and car seat therefore wasn’t at an appropriate angle for newborn - I did have to push her head back while driving a few times if she fell asleep in it. Do not recommend… Get it checked!

Original poster

greipfaa · 05/01/2023 21:34

It’s the simplicity one… is that one good?

its just the head I worry about. It also feels really tight when bucked yo between the legs but I’ve been told that’s how it’s supposed to be

OP posts:

Grumpybutfunny · 05/01/2023 21:37

why not put them in the front for a bit of reassurance the first few times

RobinRobinMouse · 05/01/2023 21:42

We had a lie flat car seat for when dd was very tiny, she was safe and snug and she used to sleep like a dream in it.

Mummyboy1 · 05/01/2023 21:42

@greipfaa is that the silver Cross simplicity? If it is, I've just looked on the Facebook group that I previously messaged, ans it seems like a common issue with chin to chest. If you're on Facebook I would recommend joining the group and to ask for a fit check. You can blur babies face if you'd like. They can advice on the fit, say if your current fit is correct/ safe.

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