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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

When to put the baby seat in the car?

24 replies

jessicalouise95 · 08/01/2022 12:25

I'm 31 weeks and have our travel system. My partner mentioned about putting it in the car but thought it's to early? Even though I'm stressing about getting hospital bags ready.

When did you put yours in the car ready?

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SheWolfOFFrancee · 08/01/2022 12:27

When we left the hospital with baby in it

Cluckycluck · 08/01/2022 12:29

When we headed to the hospital. I didn't see any need to put it in any earlier.

Forestdweller11 · 08/01/2022 12:30

Didn't put it in car until ready to leave hospital after birth. With hindsight should have had a practice run ...

But I wouldn't put it in car before I'd given birth unless it's something awfully complicated to fit. Or at least not until loads closer to due date.

I did practice quite a bit with the buggy getting it down/up and into/out of car as car had a tiny boot and the frame of the pram had to go in just so (but no room for anything else...).

NavaniKholinRocks · 08/01/2022 12:34

It’s definitely a good idea to make sure both you and your partner know how to get the car seat in and out the car, and to practise that when it’s calm rather than when you’re rushing to the hospital

I think we had ours in the car from about 37 weeks

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 08/01/2022 12:37

Practiced when we got it. Put the isofix base in around 38 weeks.
Actual seat... not until we were on the way to the hospital (where it wasn't needed for five days until we came home).

With second baby I reminded myself on fitting the isofix base around 35 weeks. Didn't put it in the car properly until I needed it though.

glasspaw · 08/01/2022 13:02

We put it in at week 33. The base was a bit of a faff and I’m glad it’s a task out of the way to be honest.

Also, the box it came in was huge and we didn’t really want to keep it in the house so it’s helped clear some space.

Shelby1981 · 08/01/2022 13:50

Make sure you know how to fit it, but I wouldn't leave it in the car in advance - even the most minor collision means the car seat needs to be replaced. If it has an isofix base I'd fit that in advance.

Original poster

jessicalouise95 · 08/01/2022 13:56

Thank you! We both took it on and off in the shop but was concerned about the base as it's the ISOfix.

We are moving very soon so also didn't want to put it in there just yet either.

I didn't even think about the accident thing! Does this matter for the isofix base if we was to put it in after the move?

OP posts:

Jonesy88 · 09/01/2022 06:59

We’ve put in the isofix at 37 weeks - a job ticked off. The car seat we’ll have a bit of a practice with but it will stay in the house until it’s actually needed.

ffscovid · 09/01/2022 08:09

We practiced in advance but the car seat stayed at home until they day after DC was born, when DH came to visit on the day we were likely to be discharged home.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 09/01/2022 08:12

Your partner can go home and fix it after you give birth, you won’t be out instantly

Trinacham · 09/01/2022 08:36

I'm 37 weeks and we haven't yet put ours in the car. I do plan on doing it soon though, buy mainly as I have Strep B, so I have to make my way to the hospital as soon as something starts (as have to have an antibiotic IV drip throughout labour). Different for people who can start their labouring at home.

ZenNudist · 09/01/2022 08:41

Your partner can go home and fix it after you give birth, you won’t be out instantly

^this. Just do it when baby is actually here.

Also he should be able to strap the seat in the car so won't need to faff with isofix base straight away and can sort that at leisure.

Somerandomgirl · 09/01/2022 14:15

And travel around with carseat for 10 weeks?
You know you wont just go in labour give birth 2 mins later and leave instantly... he can go back and get the seat when youre gonna be discharged

PotteringAlong · 09/01/2022 14:19

The only time I did it early was when we went to my parents for new year when I was 37 weeks pregnant with DC3 and I didn’t want to have to buy a new car seat to drive the 4 hours home if they arrived early.

Eumy · 09/01/2022 14:53

We set ours up when I was 35 weeks, but that was because we were travelling 6 hours to visit family. We got a special lie flat car seat suitable for long journeys (as well be travelling when baby is here). I didn’t want to buy another car seat in case they arrived early!

SmallPrawnEnergy · 09/01/2022 15:13

Your partner can go home and fix it after you give birth, you won’t be out instantly
This. No harm in practice but I wouldn’t have it in the car before baby is here. If you’re in an accident you’d have to faff about getting the seat replaced (which obviously is unlikely but still) x

Original poster

jessicalouise95 · 09/01/2022 22:14

@Somerandomgirl

And travel around with carseat for 10 weeks? You know you wont just go in labour give birth 2 mins later and leave instantly... he can go back and get the seat when youre gonna be discharged

Fully aware that I won't be in and out as I have other medical issues and high risk and can go in to labour early. Simply just asking when others did and good to know people practicing too. Partner is just getting a excited and just wants to be ready x

OP posts:

Yorkshireswithallroasts · 09/01/2022 22:36

I’m due tomorrow and we’ve just fitted the base today. I wouldn’t take advice from me though, I’ve still not got my hospital bag fully packed!

Holskey · 09/01/2022 22:43

I can't remember when I put mine is. I had my baby at 35 weeks (had to be induced with almost no notice).

I personally don't see the harm storing it in your car if it keeps it out of the way and ready. Yeah you'll have to replace it in the unlikely event you have an accident but I doubt that would be your biggest issue if that were to happen. Unless you're often travelling with lots of stuff or passengers, it'll make no difference to you to have it in the car.

Tortoisesmovefasterthanme · 10/01/2022 09:38

I’m 37 weeks this week and we’re planning on fitting the isofix this week so that it’s in. We’ll have a bit of practice putting the car seat in and out etc (as is advised to) and then car seat will wait in the house until it’s needed. Nothing wrong with being prepared! I can’t think of anything worse than leaving it until baby is coming home as I like being organised

BobbleWobble1 · 10/01/2022 09:47

Put ours in around 38 weeks. Mostly so it's out the way and one less thing for DH to worry about.

Somerandomgirl · 10/01/2022 12:15

As long as u have car, i wouldnt worry putting it from now x he can go get it qhen thry give you day to be discharged x and specially now with this covid, at least around here they dont let partners stay constantly with you, so he will be home anyway.. with both the car and the carseat and himself lol... xx

jolota · 10/01/2022 13:06

We've got a car seat that doesn't separate from the base so stays in the car & we're planning to put it in the car in a few weeks time (around 35 weeks), mostly because I like to be prepared & it's one less thing to tick off the list, but also because the box is absolutely massive and taking up so much space in our lounge that it's becoming a real pain to work around.
As others have said, the only concern is having an accident & having to replace it at short notice. It's a bit of a toss up but depends on your personal situation really.

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