Bringing Baby Home from hospital 3-4 hours away!

[StaryNightSky]

Hi All

Got a bit of a problem, hope you can help with oppinions or experiences

Was packing my hospital bag this morning as I am due in around 2 weeks and generally getting organised.

I am NOT in the UK. We are using a private clinic for the birth which is round 3 hours away by car. This does not worry me.

But my mother has just raised the subject of bring a newborn baby home!

I had planned to use a car seat. Rear facing suitable from birth. Came with the travel system from Mama's and Papa's like this one However, mum was VERY concerned that that would not be ok with a new born for the length of time we would be in the car. She Suggested that I take the pram / my pod that came with the travel system like this one Which we have a a proper sleep mattress. I have checked and this can be secured in the car very well.

Well I thought it was a stupid idea and then I started to think and now I don't know what to do.

Thoughts, oppions, suggestions, experiences welcomed

I think it is recommended that a new born is not in their seat for longer than 2 hours. May be you could split your journey and take your time getting back? No baby yet but I am sure someone with more experience will be along in a bit.

is that the one like a carry cot on the back seat?
I've heard they aren't very safe
Apologies if I'm thinking of the wrong one
I don't think 3 hours is too much of a problem
To be honest you will probably have to have at least 2 stops to feed and change the baby
Mine used to sleep for ages in the car seat after we had stopped driving when very little - I know it's recommended they aren't in them for too long thugh

Maybe it would be better to book some sort of self catering accomodation near to the hospital for the 1st week of yuor dh/dp's paternity leave
You might not be up to a 3 hour journey with stiches or whatever to contend with
Also have you thought of a 3 hour car journey when you are in labour and all the to-ing and fro-ing there often is in early labour. I was sent home once from hospital for comign in too early and my sister was sent home twice. How will you deal with that?

A lot of people use those carrycots in Spain instead of a car seat but although they can be secured to the car (they normally come with clips for the seatbelt and a tummy belt for the baby), they tend to come out quite badly in safety tests. I would still go for the car seat but stopping half way through your journey for at least half an hour to take the baby out of the car seat.

I think you will ba alright keeping the baby in the car seat. As other people have said your gonna have to stop to feed and change the baby and may need a few stops for your own needs. I personally thought they were alowed to be in the car seat from no longer than 4 hours but perhaps your could call the manufacturer and just confirm with them their recomendations on this matter. Good luck! x

Absolutely the car seat; carrycot just not safe. Stop if you feel you need to. The warning about babies being in a car seat for too long is because some people use them instead of prams and carry them around in it all day every day. A one-off journey wouldn't hurt I shouldn't think. Most likely the baby fill fall fast asleep once the car starts (I know mine always did and often still does!). I certainly wouldn't book accommodation or anything - can't imagine anything worse than more nights in a strange place away from home without all your baby gear. I would imagine it will be fine. PS I hope fast labours don't run in your family like in mine!!

agree with slinkie - carrycot absolutely NOT safe. rearward facing carseat, well secured only thing to travel in.
make sure you feed, wind,feed the baby before you set off
good luck!

Thanks Girls.

I thought I was right. But once my mum has got started I seem to lose all authority! She is wonderful though.

I couldn't bear to stay away from home for longer than necessary and we had planned to take regular breaks anyway for us. So we will just suppliment as well for baby as necessary.

Thanks again and I'll post my birth story soon. Should be fun!