What car seat are you buying?

[irishamy89]

I am thoroughly enjoying doing baby product research and my latest focus is car seats.
Initially I was certain I want to buy the cybex sirona but now I'm set on the Britax Dualfix.
What is everyone else buying?

In regards to an infant carrier, our hospital said they would not let you leave the hospital unless the baby was in a car seat. Not sure how the could stop you in practice, but they seemed deadly serious when I asked if we could just carry them in our arms to the ERF in the car.

November is love to see them try to implement that. Surely you could use a sling?!

We went for the Cybex Aton as it was the second best rated on Which. The Maxi-Cosi was best rated, but on reading the small print it said that if you're not getting the isofix base not to get the Maxi-Cosi. I have no idea if Which still say this, but it put me off. The Aton is heavy though.

We also have the Britax First Class Plus, which is a non-removable seat which is suitable from 0-4years. It's big, but a good seat.

November - Where is that hospital?
I'm not sure about the procedure in my hospital but I'm sure it's not that strict as it is in central London and most people acess it by public transport or taxi.
However I'll be driven in and out as I'm wayyy too embarrassed to get a taxi in labour!!!!!

Same policy at UCH which us slap bang in the centre. I thought it was a national policy. We were chatting about it at work ans said whilst you might go home on public transport, if you got a cab it's no different to going by your own car

The Aton is heavy to carry but I just put it on the chassis. I assumed the same would be true of any car seat really. If I'm taking baby somewhere where chassis can't go then I pop him in the sling.
We went on to use cybex pallas and are very happy with it.

If the hospital want to see the baby in a car seat then invite them to pop out to the car with you! They can't stop you removing baby from hospital unless they have a court order.

Gallic the Britax Dualfix is from birth until 4years old (rear-facing) seats like that cannot go on a chassis, they are super big and heavy.

Irish, I'm in cornwall, my midwife said its a national policy. Not sure if that's true though. That's why we got the maxi-cosi infant carrier.
Also we would like another baby pretty close together, so the eldest would still be in the Dualfix. So the new baby could use the maxi-cosi.

2015isgoingtobebig - I'm also with UCH.
I assume if I just tell them that we are bringing the baby home by public transport they couldn't do anything.
My plan would be to take the baby out in it's bugaboo and then walk to wherever dp or fil are parked and transport the baby in to the dualfix.
I'm sure there are many parents with no car so they can't really object if people say they are going home by public transport.

irish Why not just see if there is somebody you could borrow a car seat from just to get them home? That's what everyone I know is doing if they don't have a car. Like november I thought this was a national policy now but I have no idea how they enforce it.

currently leaning towards the recaro. Similar (cheaper) than the maxi cosi once you add in the isofix and which say it's the best car seat theyve ever tested.

Also compatible with any travel system that has pebble adaptors.

2015 - We will be going home by car but I'm assuming dp or fil will be parked a couple of minutes away at least (haven't looked in to the parking situation properly!!).
So as I plan to bring the baby in it's Bugaboo to wherever the car is I might as well just tell the staff were not driving to avoid a palava over the car seat.

Sorry just woken my brain up and seen you do have an appropriate car seat it just isn't portable to the hospital. I guess if they get funny you could ask them to find you a parking space (won't hapoen-the building works have taken all the spaces) so they can witness you putting your babe in the seat. Most people from my observations get picked up outside the entrance with cars loitering for the shortest time possible on the yellow lines. You could send DH pff to get the car while you wait in the entrance

I'm sure I've read on here that it isn't a car seat for car safety sake, it's for getting baby to the car or outside safely. I'd definitely get them to clarify. "Car seat" might be short hand for "not carrying baby out in your arms".

hi
we have a britax dualfix but I would recommend considering getting a maxi cosi cabriofix for when baby is really small because it really is very convenient to get them in and out of the car especially if you have an isofix base. I know you're not supposed to be but we go ours plus base easily and cheaply on ebay (there are a LOT of them about).
Having to wake up a baby to get them in and out of the car is a big no-no IMO!

Can't recommend the Dualfix highly enough. DD (2.10) is in one at the moment and the swivel function is the Best. Thing. Ever. Especially as DH has a wide car and the doors don't need to open as far if you swivel the seat to face you.

DC2 will go into DD's old Britax Babysafe SHR - we have bases for each of our cars so you can just click it in and go (I have never got the hang of belting it in). I didn't tend to take it out of the car with DD still in it as used a sling for supermarket shopping, and imagine it will be the same with this one.

A fixed car seat. Something like a Britax first class or equivalent. Not shopping until nearer the time though. Only half way through pregnancy...

Surely the hospital rule is 'must transport the baby in an appropriate car seat if travelling by car' not 'baby must leave the hospital in an infant car seat'?

What is you walked home? Got bus? Etc my friend lives opposite the hospital, literally across the road. Why would she drive?

I am planning on buying a fixed 0-4year car seat so will carry the baby out. Why shouldn't I be allowed to carry my baby out of the hospital? Surely if they don't think I am capable of that then social services should be called to stop be caring for my baby full stop.

I am not against them checking that people are using a car seat but it seems a bit overkill....

I cannot speak for other hospitals but the one I'll have my baby in will make you transport your baby to the hospital exit doors in the bassinet (member of staff accompanies you) and then from there you have to pick up your baby and carry them off the premises yourself to your car into the fixed car seat.