Car to flat logistics

[Algebraic]

DH and I head scratching about this one.

Live in a 3rd floor flat, no lift. Allocated parking out the front, incredibly narrow spaces. Neighbour has kindly been parking further over so bump and I can get in the car but there's no way I'd get the car seat in and out.

I will have the car everyday as DH cycles to work. Was thinking I would leave the pram in the boot and then it's down there if I want to go walking.

I'm a bit concerned about having to carry baby in my arms, though. Most people I see take the whole car seat out but I really don't think I can get car door open that wide. Also I don't think I could carry the seat up holding it by my side due to narrow stairs!

If there's two of us I can take baby out before DH pulls into space but what do I do on my own...?

It is handy to take the whole seat, partly if the baby is asleep, partly so you can put the seat down and find house keys etc.

But it is also not a good idea to leave baby in the seat for too long, and it is blooming difficult to walk anywhere and caryr the seat! So taking baby out and holding him/her in your arms is perfectle easy and works well.

Would it work to see if a neighbour on the end of the line could swap places? You oculd make it official, sign a document for a swap for 6 months etc

We stayed 3 up on a busy main road. I just carried my DD up on her own as weighing 9lbs6 when she was born she was a chunk and having to carry her and carse at was just too heavy.

I used to leave the pram in the boot, strap her in car seat put pram up and then transfer her into the pram. If dp had the car I just struggled lifting the whole pram up the 3 flights and felt like super mum when I got to the top (although couldn't breathe)

I wasn't able to leave the pram on the ground floor landing as there just wasn't enough space. X

Try not to worry. I almost never transferred the car seat with my baby in it. See if it is a problem for you after you have a baby and address it then.

I do have a sling/carrier so maybe I could transfer them into that?

The trouble with the end space is its right next to some access gates to a business. There is a jammy bugger parking their second car sort of half
over the gate. If I swapped with end space I could still end up with car next to me, or if I took the unofficial gate space my door would block access if I had it open for any length of time.

Tempted to crawl through my boot?! it is very wide and one side of the seats does go completely flat!

Have a look at a carrier/sling for baby. See if there is a local sling library so you can try before you buy one. Once you've gotten used the your preferred one, popping them in and out is quick and easy.

That way you can leave the pram in the boot, carry the baby in a safe and secure way, and have your hands free for doors or any bits you do need to carry up/down with you.

Plus if you find it suits you and your baby there'll be loads of other times the carrier/sling will be super useful :)

Could you get a sling to put baby in to bring them up and down? Or might it be more likely that people are at work during the day so the space next to you might be free so you can get the door open?

Have got a newborn sling already so I think that might be my best bet. Neighbours work shifts both sides so quite often home during the day

Maybe look into a Snugglebundl? They're crash tested so you can carry baby in and out and also leave baby in it in the car.

Lots of people get a static 0-4 car seat so don't lift the seat out of the car.

Thanks lemon I'll look at that. I'm clumsy so have this fear of flinging baba down the stairs

@algebraic, I had to post as your sentance about flinging the baby down the stairs made me smile. Obviously it would be awful if it did happen, but my husbands aunt (who is also very clumsy) had him in a Moses basket when he was a baby walking down the stairs, I guess she must have got distracted or something and ended up tipping the basket up and he rolled out and down the stairs! He was fine tho!

I'd suggest seeing if you can take the end space, and maybe put a note in your car window explaining your car seat situation and asking people kindly not to park there.

The only other thing I can think of, is the area quiet and secure? Would it be safe to park behind the space, lift baby out and place in car seat on the pavement while you pull the car into the space? Of course this would only really be feasible if there is no other traffic or pedestrians!

Last idea? Strap the car seat to a roof rack?

I'm similar. First floor but two flights of outside steps to go up.

I plan on baby using a carrycot on the pram instead of carseat so my plan is :
We have a 360 Joie car seat that baby will use from day one, means I can jump in the spare back seat of my 3door car and lift baby out without opening my door too wide. Then I can either carry baby or place baby in the carry cot. I plan to leave the pram in the boot as I simply won't have enough arm strength to lug it all up the steps.

Obviously I will need to carry little one once they've grown out the carrycot but that's something I'll tackle when it happens.

I am considering asking the neighbor that parks on the end to swap spaces but I've never actually spoken to them yet. 😑

All these things have a way of working out with a little consideration and less worry xxx