When should I have my bag packed and car seat installed?

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karaelaine1991

I went to the local car seat tech and had him install our carseat as soon as we got it. Totally recommend that you do this, btw - it's free, took like 30 minutes max, and he gave us all sorts of safety info that never would've occurred to us and is not included in the car seat manual.

As far as bag goes, I'm planning to pack it a month from my due date. I've had no complications at all so for myself I feel that this is reasonable. But I don't think there's anything wrong with packing it early - one less thing to do!

megmama

With my first I had everything done 2 weeks before, and with this one we plan to have bags packed and car seat ready a little earlier, like a few weeks before..around 36 weeks (STM have higher chance at going into labor early). I say earlier is better than not feeling prepared.

Katerina&Baby

I'm having my car detailed for my birthday (May 1) and will have the seat professionally installed soon after. I plan to have my "go bag" packed and chilling by the door around week 36/37 (just in case).

KaLikeAWind

I was going to schedule the car seat instruction / install for mid may, and will probably begin to gather a go bag around the same time. I'm due June 18th so that gives me a month leeway.

lindsladle15

I had a list on my computer of what I wanted to bring, and started gathering around 36-37 weeks with DD, but some things were last minute, as I wanted to use/wear them up until go-time!
I'm not sure DH installed car seat base until after baby was born, while I was in hospital.
This time, eh, probably car seat and bag packing around week 39.

lovethatcolosun

I would say around 36-37 weeks for the bag. As for the car seat I would say 38-39 weeks (if baby comes early just throw the whole thing in there and DH can install while you're in the hospital or take it to a firehouse and they can do it).

If you're feeling antsy you can always just write up a list of what you'll want to pack, which is also good if you happen to go into labor early then you can know you'll pack everything even if you're distracted. You can also just install the base of the car seat whenever and then throw in the actually seat before you leave for the hospital.

Emilywooddesign

I have a question, sorry to hijack your post OP. Do you have to get your car seats professionally installed? And if you don't, do you have to at least get it checked by someone? I've heard that the nurses at the hospital are supposed to check your car seats. I'm confused.

lindsladle15

@Emilywooddesign, nope! My DH was our professional! Read the directions and everything.
Nurses will check the actual carseat, but no one came to our car and made sure the base was installed correctly.

Emilywooddesign

lindsladle15 said:

@Emilywooddesign, nope! My DH was our professional! Read the directions and everything.
Nurses will check the actual carseat, but no one came to our car and made sure the base was installed correctly.

Thank you. My husand will also be our professional!

karaelaine1991

Emilywooddesign said:

I have a question, sorry to hijack your post OP. Do you have to get your car seats professionally installed? And if you don't, do you have to at least get it checked by someone? I've heard that the nurses at the hospital are supposed to check your car seats. I'm confused.

Don't have to, but I found it to be super helpful. I think nurses do check it, but at our local fire department they have a certified car seat technician who showed us how to install it and gave us lots of tips. He also told us that if she grows out of it before it's time for her to switch to a front-facing car seat, we can call him and they have safe, up-to-date/standard car seats that we can borrow for free. And the installation was also free. It only took 30 minutes. Again, not necessary, but I very highly recommend it! There was a very helpful car seat thread several months ago (https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/comment/86460242) and one poster directed us to https://cert.safekids.org/find-tech-0 to find local car seat techs.

teather5

I was planning to pack when my weekly appointments start (may) as I read it was a good idea to bring it every week just in case they admit you... But after last week's scare and knowing my anxiety level, I'm starting to get my bag together. I think knowing I at least have that done will take one thing off my list, plus I think you've just gonna do what works for you!

KaLikeAWind

karaelaine1991 said:

Emilywooddesign said:

I have a question, sorry to hijack your post OP. Do you have to get your car seats professionally installed? And if you don't, do you have to at least get it checked by someone? I've heard that the nurses at the hospital are supposed to check your car seats. I'm confused.

Don't have to, but I found it to be super helpful. I think nurses do check it, but at our local fire department they have a certified car seat technician who showed us how to install it and gave us lots of tips. He also told us that if she grows out of it before it's time for her to switch to a front-facing car seat, we can call him and they have safe, up-to-date/standard car seats that we can borrow for free. And the installation was also free. It only took 30 minutes. Again, not necessary, but I very highly recommend it! There was a very helpful car seat thread several months ago (https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/comment/86460242) and one poster directed us to https://cert.safekids.org/find-tech-0 to find local car seat techs.

Yes. That thread was SUPER helpful and the recommendation to see a certified technician at the fire department is what I am doing as well. Its a free service and all it takes is time. I saw a news program where a lady was in a car accident and her kid was injured badly due to an improperly installed seat, so I want to make sure I learn how to do it right.

mrs1374a

I'm spoiled because my husband is a car seat tech. But I'm going to wash it soon (it's the same one from DD, and probably install the base around 36 weeks and pack my bag at the same time. I will be having a c section at 39 weeks.

Jen61811

Emilywooddesign said:

I have a question, sorry to hijack your post OP. Do you have to get your car seats professionally installed? And if you don't, do you have to at least get it checked by someone? I've heard that the nurses at the hospital are supposed to check your car seats. I'm confused.

In NJ the hospital will check the carseat to ensure its installed correctly. And will indicate of you pass or fail. They will show you the correct wayto install it as well.

mypower610

I've never heard of a car seat tech. How do you find them? I planned on going to the fire department, they check car seats. I believe police departments do as well.

karaelaine1991

mypower610 said:

I've never heard of a car seat tech. How do you find them? I planned on going to the fire department, they check car seats. I believe police departments do as well.

I included a link to a website to help you find them in one of the comments above. I went to our local fire department.

mlindzz

I'm paranoid about the baby deciding to surprise us with an early arrival, so last week I packed a hospital bag and picked up some newborn essentials with a STM.

I'm 30 weeks, so I'm ahead of the game with prepping (even though we haven't even moved into our new house yet, so the nursery is 0% prepared) but I feel better knowing I have a few personal things packed and ready if we get any surprises. I personally would be guaranteed an epic fail pack job if I tried to grab what I needed while also trying to prepare for the labour of an early little one.

seesea

Same here I'm a little paranoid about LO being here early. The hospital bag is packed and ready to go. I'm at 30w5d. I had it packed at 28weeks. DH will probably put the car seat in when it's time to go home.

The nursery on the hand...wait, what nursery? I guess I'm not quite there yet.

ElRuby

lindsladle15 said:

@Emilywooddesign, nope! My DH was our professional! Read the directions and everything.
Nurses will check the actual carseat, but no one came to our car and made sure the base was installed correctly.

When I delivered, the nurses would not look at the car seat in anyway. I actually asked because I thought that was part of the discharge process. They said it was against policy due to liability (kind of stupid that even if they saw the baby strapped in wrong they couldn't say anything).

amabarne

This weekend I plan on packing my bag with as much as I can in advance. Currently 32+1 and DD came at 34+1 and I had nothing! That was frustrating and I was uncomfortable with no personal stuff that first day in the hospital. Car seat base is already installed in my vehicle. Waiting on the second base to be delivered so we can put in DH's truck.

Learn from my big mistake with DD!!!....we didn't actually try snapping the car seat onto the base until leaving the hospital. The bar was missing so we had to use the seatbelt method. Not cool waiting in the hospital lobby while her dad tried to figure out what was wrong.

devyns2nd

DH has had five LOs so I'm not worried about the car seat until after were in the hospital. As for my bag...I haven't even thought about it. I'm not sure I have a good bag to take. I gotta get started. I wanted to be packed around 34 weeks or so.

CurlyMom78

I've put some stuff aside and bought some travel face wash, extra hair ties, travel shampoo & conditioner.

aliciac2008

Check with your hospital to make sure they will check your car seat. I know my hospital specifically said they cannot even touch the car seat due to liability issues.

pastaboy

I'm planning doing bag this weekend at 29 weeks have had a few early surprises in past and consultant says I'm unpredictable, don't usually do car seat till baby comes home and husband is a expect as we are on no.6 baby.

mrs1374a

mypower610 said:

I've never heard of a car seat tech. How do you find them? I planned on going to the fire department, they check car seats. I believe police departments do as well.

Those are car seat techs.

sschwege

I am in the minority here, but I think it's better to hold off a little on the car seat.  If your car is in an accident there is a good chance that seat will be garbage.  Better to leave it safely at home until closer to your EDD IMO.