Getting home from hospital without a car

[NinaMimi]

What do most people do? I have searched and see there is a taxi company near me that has car seats for children. Will need to check they have ones for newborns. I had thought of hiring a car but so expensive. Also didn’t want the hassle of trying to get a friend or relative to come since most with cars live a bit away from me.

@Babyfg

It might have changed since I gave birth but I thought you couldn't leave the hospital without a car seat . Although saying that no one ever checked what I took my babies home in.

It's not changed. It has never been a legal requirement.

We didn't have a car seat bringing baby home. It was only 10 minutes in the taxi so I just held him in my arms. I was a bit nervous but it was totally fine (and it's completely legal to do it that way).

We did end up buying a car seat later for other journeys so if you think you'll need one at some point it might be worth investing. I got mine from the maxi Cosi outlet website.

The train station was 5 minutes from the hospital so I walked (partner pushed the baby in the pram). Once I got off the train I then had a 15 minute walk. Worst idea ever!!!! Felt OK at the time but was soooo sore afterwards it just wasn't worth it. I had two tears and lots of stitches. Don't know what I was thinking. Get a taxi or someone to pick you up if possible.

Having just done a lot of research on car seats... I read that 80% of car seats are fitted wrong so if you think you're going to need one at some point and are going to buy one it might be worth testing it out in a relative's car even if they aren't going to drive you home so you already know how to fit it in the taxi and aren't having to figure that out with a tiny person while tired. It won't make sense to get an isofix base - lots of seats are compatible with isofix and it makes it quicker to put in the car but you don't have to use one as the seats can also be safely installed with a 3 point seatbelt. Isofix is no safer than a correctly installed car seat using the seatbelt - it's just a lot harder to get it wrong which is why in practice it is safer (and why you might want to try it out in advance)!

I got a taxi. We bought a car seat.