do you install carseat for a planned homebirth - Page 4

[Ruthla]

I never had a baby bucket "with base"- we routinely buckled it in and unbuckled it as needed. Therefore, I saw absolutely no reason to install it in the car before it was actually needed- and in all 3 cases, I'm pretty sure we buckled the baby into the seat in the house and then fastened in the carseat with baby when we walked to the car. What on earth would be the point of installing it into the car before the birth?

I did, however, set up the carseat ahead of time- taking it out of the box, assembling the straps on the smallest setting, and practiced buckling and unbuckling it into the car a few times and then put it away inside the house.

[Phoebe]

I put mine in just because I want everything done done done. It just comes as part of the check of list...the nesting list.

[tanyalynn]

I don't remember when or why we put in the carseat before my son was born (at home), but it turned out mighty useful when the dog got out when my son was 2 days old, and of course my mom and husband were out looking for the dog when I got the call that someone at a local park had found him. So I had to drive my 2-day-old son to the park and wander around until I spotted the folks with my dog. I _know_ I wasn't anticipating that when my husband put in the seat.

[charmander]

I did it ahead of time so it would be ready to go when we wanted to take her out in the car (which ended up being when she was 3 days old.) One less thing to worry about after the baby is born.

[Jenivere]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

I never had a baby bucket "with base"- we routinely buckled it in and unbuckled it as needed. Therefore, I saw absolutely no reason to install it in the car before it was actually needed- and in all 3 cases, I'm pretty sure we buckled the baby into the seat in the house and then fastened in the carseat with baby when we walked to the car. What on earth would be the point of installing it into the car before the birth?

I did, however, set up the carseat ahead of time- taking it out of the box, assembling the straps on the smallest setting, and practiced buckling and unbuckling it into the car a few times and then put it away inside the house.

I had a base so what I meant by installing it was putting the base in and making sure everything fit since it was a new seat. It didn't mean I had to leave the seat in the car.

[jennyfah]

I voted yes. I think it's a good idea anyway, no matter where you are birthing, because even if you're not leaving the house for weeks you and your partner aren't going to want to take the time to do it with a new little one around.

Also, you should get it inspected by a professional at some point, and it's easier to do that without a newborn!

http://www.seatcheck.org

It's free and I promise that you will learn a LOT during the process.

Jen
car seat safety geek

[Funny Face]

Yes. We'll need it anyway and in case of a transfer I'd want it in the car to come home.

[an_aurora]

I installed ours at 37 weeks, when I got it, even though I fully expected to go to 41+ weeks. She was born at 41 weeks 3 days, and I would never dream of not having it installed before the birth.

Of course, I did end up outside installing DD1's carseat in my IL's rental car at 10 hours postpartum because DH couldn't get it in :.