Car seat for baby under 5 lbs??? what do I do?

farrellashleigh · October 2009

So long story short, I'm being induced soon since baby has fallen off of the growth curve recently. SOO at our growth u/s last week he was weighing in at 4lbs 0 oz, 4lbs 8 oz, and 4lbs 14 oz... somewhere around there obviously.

Our car seat is for 5 lbs and up so if he is under 5 lbs is there a special car seat we have to get temporarily?? I have no idea, never even thought of this before? I'll be asking the OB and the hospital but thought I'd see if anyone else has any experience?

princessbeulah · October 2009

I think there is something called a "car bed" that would work. I think the hospital may have these. I would ask them. GL.

madeleines_mommy · October 2009

I don't think so, I think you will just have to make do with the infant carrier. You will definitely need one of those head support pillows and possibly a body one too since he will be so tiny. Good Luck!

promisegrl · October 2009

A friend of mine rented a car bed from the hospital since her son was under 5 lbs. (they're pretty expensive if you buy one). I would also check with your hospital, it's possible that they may not let you take him home until he reaches 5 lbs. GL.

Renesmee · October 2009

Do they think the baby would even be going home right away, or stay in the NICU for a bit? The baby might be over 5 lbs by the time you take it home.

madeleines_mommy · October 2009

Also, post this on the preemie board. I'm sure they can help out

ClaireBennett · October 2009

I would ask on the preemie board, they might be more help since their babies were probably on the small side. Sorry!

Max'smom · October 2009

Our hosptial was going to lend us a car bed if we needed one when we left the hospital.

redneck_barbie · October 2009

I'm guessing a few ounces probably doesn't matter too much, but I am by no means a pro on the subject.

Good Luck to you, I hope everything turns out.

mooeta · October 2009

You likely won't be bringing the baby right home. They'll probably want to keep it for a few days or a week and ensure that the growth restricitions were only present in the whom and not an issue for the baby. He probably will be over 5 lbs when he leaves the hospital.

CMM05 · October 2009

The first thing to remember is that u/s's can be off by a bit. Every day further you go, the baby will grow.

By the time you leave the hospital with the baby, he might be 5 lbs.....I wouldn't worry about it until he comes and you see what happens.

A lot of people are in this position....I am sure the NICU nurses and/or L&D nurses can help you with this.....

GL!

farrellashleigh · October 2009

Renesmee:
Do they think the baby would even be going home right away, or stay in the NICU for a bit? The baby might be over 5 lbs by the time you take it home.

Yea I asked about this and they said they won't know until he's here. They're guessing he'll be completely fine and should go right home with us since he'll be at least 36 weeks. But anything can happen I guess?

jkfranklin · October 2009

I googled it and it looks like you would need a car bed, which your hospital may be able to provide.

https://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=1086

amoureux · October 2009

Yes, under 5 lbs they use a car bed. Your hospital will have info on this -- it is not the type of item sold at BRU! I would think you would not be going straight home with an under 5 lb baby anyways. He may surprise you and be over 5 lbs anyways. The growth u/s are only so accurate.

GL!

littlemaybaby · October 2009

I know some hospitals want to keep babies until they are 5 pounds, but I have also heard of the car beds. Ditto the recommendation to check on the premie board and with your hospital.

farrellashleigh · October 2009

Thanks ladies, I'll look into the car bed thing just in case and I guess we'll wait and see what happens!

Max'smom · October 2009

Max'smom:

Our hosptial was going to lend us a car bed if we needed one when we left the hospital.

They will "test" the baby in the car seat before making you use the car bed. For DS we used three recieving blankets rolled up around him. He was just at 5 lbs when we left the NICU and we did not need to use the car bed.

brandyward · October 2009

Will they keep him for a while? I would think they may keep LO for a week or so and let him gain some weight before sending him home. I don't know, though.

I'd ask OB/hospital about travel.

DiscusCoach · October 2009

You may find more info on the preemies board. Good luck.

JaZz713 · October 2009

farrellashleigh:
So long story short, I'm being induced soon since baby has fallen off of the growth curve recently. SOO at our growth u/s last week he was weighing in at 4lbs 0 oz, 4lbs 8 oz, and 4lbs 14 oz... somewhere around there obviously.

Our car seat is for 5 lbs and up so if he is under 5 lbs is there a special car seat we have to get temporarily?? I have no idea, never even thought of this before? I'll be asking the OB and the hospital but thought I'd see if anyone else has any experience?

https://www.thecarseatlady.com/car_seats/rear-facing_seats_13.html

ldhrrRN2005 · October 2009

babies that are less than 5 lbs or less than 25 weeks undergo a "car seat challange". basically they sleep in there car seat while attatched to a moniter to watch heart rate/rr/pulse ox level for a determined amount of time, generally 2 hours.. basically what they are looking for is to see if the baby has a "spell"- dropping their heart rate, resp rate, ect...if the baby passes then the carrier is fine. if not, then you would need to havea car bed.

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