With 5 weeks to go, the nursery ready, my hospital and her hospital bag packed, many of the big questions that are starting to arise include the all important one about the importance of a car seat. Thankfully we’ve had our car seat since July ever since mum spotted a deal at Mothercare on their Silvercross range, so we’re already sorted with the car seat but it’s really important that you get one, if you haven’t already. Why? Because you won’t be allowed to leave the hospital with your newborn without one.
The whole idea of bringing your newborn home is exciting, I’m nervous and ridiculously excited about it, but it is also seriously nerve wracking. My midwife has said after labour you have full medical support, a network of doctors and midwives on hand to help you and your baby if, for whatever reason, we experience any problems. Any health concerns, or worries, they are on hand to help you before you leave and go outside into the big wide world with your newborn ready for the rest of your life.
We don’t live next to the hospital, so our method of transport going home, will be in a car, which means without a doubt we’ll need a car seat. Hospitals will not let you leave unless you have a car seat, whether you or your partner is driving the car, your family member with an impeccable driving record or a taxi driver, you are not allowed to leave without one. So if you haven’t got one yet, get out there and buy one, now. Your baby’s safety on your journey home is incredibly important and the car seat needs to be fitted properly whether in your own car or in the taxi. Car seats come in dozens of different shapes and sizes for different aged babies but make sure you buy one that is designed for newborns. Second hand car seats aren’t recommended as they may have been in an accident, no matter what the seller tells you, spend the extra pound and get a new one. Even if the car seat looks brand new, if it has been in an accident the structure of the car seat may have been weakened, leaving your baby vulnerable to injury if your car is involved in an accident.Better to be safe than sorry. The law requires all children travelling in the front or rear seat of any car, van or goods vehicle must use the correct child car seat until they are either 135 cm in height or 12 years old (whichever they reach first), after which they must wear an adult seat beat. Look for the United Nations ECE Regulation number R44.03 or R44.04, or the new i-size regulation R129, when you buy a car seat.
The car seat we bought is this one by Silver Cross Baby Car Seat in Black: £135 from Mothercare
With a 4.5 rating over 105 reviews, we love this great car seat.
Features & product information include:
- Comfort wedge for newborn
- Head support, deep internal padding plus harness pads
- Generous internal space allows for baby growth
- One hand adjustable 5-point harness and head support height
- 5-position handle: carry, rest, rocker, stable, installation
- Removable fabrics for cleaning
My mum bought this as a gift for us as part of a deal offered by Mothercare (which is still available!). FREE Silver Cross Simplicity Baby Car Seat – Black worth £135 when you buy the Silver Cross Surf 2 Base Pack – Graphite and a Silver Cross Surf 2 Hood and Apron Pack.+ save £130 – now only £595.
If you’re stuck on what type of car seat to buy, have a look at Which’s website or the 13 best car seats rated by madeformums.com . Car seats don’t have to be expensive and can cost anything from £35-£400 depending entirely on your budget.
Missy, Me & Him 