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Original poster

Leaving hospital without car-seat....

136 replies

Dacdevdhi · 12/12/2020 12:08

Hello all
I'm currently pregnant with my 3rd, and with the 1st two I took a taxi home, and had them in a car seat.
This time round I wish to take the 3rd home in a baby carrier and get train back. As not only will it be quicker, its also a hell of a lot cheaper than a taxi/cab.
Would it be possible to do that, as don't want to have to get a car seat I won't be using again, as I don't drive.
Will be coming from St Mary's - Paddington

Thanks

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mollythewad · 12/12/2020 12:13

Yep! Midwives told me at my antenatal classes that the stories of not being allowed to leave without a car seat are a lie spread by car seat companies. Although using a carrier will depend on babies size. I think really small ones can't go in a carrier straight away. Don't they have to be 8lbs? Could you get your partner to bring your buggy?

dementedpixie · 12/12/2020 12:14

I might be tempted to use a buggy too rather than a carrier

AliMonkey · 12/12/2020 12:18

Yes. You may have to put up a bit of a fight (so for your piece of mind it might be worth talking to them about it before you go into labour) but they can't insist you spend money on a car seat when you don't need one. We walked home from hospital with baby in pram but midwives' initial reaction was that we couldn't go without a car seat. Obviously make sure you use a carrier that's suitable for a newborn. Bear in mind of course that you may not feel up to going on a train yourself though so you may need a back-up plan eg borrow a car seat from a friend.

dementedpixie · 12/12/2020 12:22

The good thing about a buggy is you can use it like a zimmer frame Grin

DontWalkPastTheCastle · 12/12/2020 12:25

How can a midwife keep you hostage until someone buys a car seat? Confused This is such a weird myth.

Lazypuppy · 12/12/2020 12:29

I would have a back up plan in case baby doesn't weigh enough to go in a carrier.

Fair play, i couldn't imagine anything worse than getting the tube home after labour!

Original poster
Dacdevdhi · 12/12/2020 12:29

Thank you all

Like you say there are all the stories about not being allowed, just made me worry. I have my midwife appt on 21st so can question then. That's if I can remember, while having baby brain 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
Dacdevdhi · 12/12/2020 12:32

I do have the buggy, just loads of stairs to up when getting off train. Hoping that the building works will be done by due date. But going off on size of my other two and size I am now, baby will be a tad small

OP posts:
DappledThings · 12/12/2020 12:48

Stretchy wrap will be fine from newborn

WhySoSensitive · 12/12/2020 12:49

I would use a buggy rather than a carrier, the train station should have something in place for wheelchair and pram users anyways.

ivfbeenbusy · 12/12/2020 13:00

Nope - I was told there are new rules in place. Babies are only allowed to leave in a car seat or suitable pram

No carrying or slings allowed

ivfbeenbusy · 12/12/2020 13:00

Also not sure about taking a newborn on public transport......

WhySoSensitive · 12/12/2020 13:20

@ivfbeenbusy

Nope - I was told there are new rules in place. Babies are only allowed to leave in a car seat or suitable pram

No carrying or slings allowed

Where are these new rules? Do you have a reliable link?
DinosaurGrrrrr · 12/12/2020 13:50

Also not sure about taking a newborn on public transport......

Erm why? Far more germs in a hospital flying around! I think most babies will come into contact with many more people visiting their home for a "hold" in the first few weeks than sat on a train for 20 min.

dementedpixie · 12/12/2020 13:52

In these covid times I wouldn't be having people in holding the baby all the time either

SaraSara12 · 12/12/2020 14:08

Get a car seat and private taxi. Pretty sure you don't want to put a newborn in a carrier (is that even safe) and expose them to public transit during a pandemic.

DontWalkPastTheCastle · 12/12/2020 14:14

Why would the OP buy a car seat, she doesn't have a car! It would be a one-off expense.

movingonup20 · 12/12/2020 14:27

Can you borrow a car seat and get a friend to pick you up? I cannot imagine using the train with lots of steps a few hours after giving birth - and I'm the one who went to Asda on the way home (no steps)

PinGwyn · 12/12/2020 14:45

Of course a sling is safe for a newborn, why wouldn't it be @SaraSara12?! 🤨

There's a whole range of stretchy slings that are made just for the first few months making it easier to get on with life hands free -particularly if you have a high needs child who screams endlessly when put down! - tucking baby in and out as you go and during a pandemic they're probably safer tucked in close to your chest than in an open seat/carrycot.

OP we didn't drive when either child was born but did find a car seat was always handy to have around as I wouldn't even travel in a taxi without one tbh. The Joie Juva is a decent 0+ seat that will last until approx 15 months (or until their head is crowning the seat) for less than £50.

Skyla01 · 12/12/2020 14:54

I don't know what rules there are but why does the world have to be so car-centric? I'd much rather my baby's first journey was on foot in a pram rather than being shoved in a car. Don't see the issue with public transport either. RTAs are not uncommon, I think a car journey is just as risky as going on foot/ train. @Dacdevdhi hope the hospital let you do what you want, without a car seat.

mooncakes · 12/12/2020 14:58

@ivfbeenbusy

Nope - I was told there are new rules in place. Babies are only allowed to leave in a car seat or suitable pram

No carrying or slings allowed

There’s no law banning carriers Hmm

Hospitals can be funny about you carrying your baby in case you fall, so you could always give them the option of pushing you out in a wheel chair if they prefer. No one can stop you carrying your own baby though.

Stretchy slings like the Close Caboo are usually suitable from 5lb.

ivfbeenbusy · 12/12/2020 15:12

When I say rules I means hospital rules otherwise I would have said "law"......my hospital and all the ones in the same trust have the same policy and said that parents can't just carry a baby out. I live in a very large city

I also had some online NCT type classes (for twins which I'm having) and this was also reiterated again this week

mooncakes · 12/12/2020 15:17

@ivfbeenbusy

When I say rules I means hospital rules otherwise I would have said "law"......my hospital and all the ones in the same trust have the same policy and said that parents can't just carry a baby out. I live in a very large city

I also had some online NCT type classes (for twins which I'm having) and this was also reiterated again this week

They might have a policy that they request parents don’t carry their baby, but parents can transport their baby however they like.
NaturalStudy · 12/12/2020 15:19

The hospital may have a preference but they can't actually stop you from leaving holding your baby how you like. What are they going to do, call the police? Just explain why you don't need a car seat and leave.

RayOfSunshine2013 · 12/12/2020 15:23

Carry your baby home however you like, they cant physically stop you, only advise you against it..

I don't think id fancy catching a train straight after having a baby but each to their own