When to put car seat in car?

LilBigBug · April 2012

My doctor mentioned something about putting the car seat in the car the other day, but didn't really tell me why. Is it just something he wants me to practice, or is it normally put in around this time? My hubby seems to think that because the doctor told me that, he (the doctor) thinks there's a chance of early labor. I don't think so, otherwise I probably would have been notified...

mwitter80 · April 2012

My midwife suggested to me that I may want to put it in the car in the next couple weeks just in case. I was surprised, but I guess it's better safe than sorry.

AndromedaEclipse · April 2012

They won't tell you you're at risk for early labor by saying get your car seat ready. It's just that you're getting close. You need to be comfortable with it before baby comes. If I remember correctly, the Bump's check list has you put it in at 33 weeks.

Rooberrywaffles · April 2012

I think he told u that just so ur ready and u have time to install it right. We are going to install the base when I'm 36wks.

LilBigBug · April 2012

I didn't think I was at risk for early labor either, I think hubby is just being overprotective (if he had his way, I'd be in a plastic bubble the whole time, LOL). I guess doctor just wants me to be better safe than sorry. Thanks ladies!

diehld@uindy.edu · April 2012

Its so its already in the car... and you don't have to think about it... or forget it at home... We put ours in... and have to put it in a different seat... and wanted to show PILS what it looked like... so right now its out... but its going back in soon!

Sawyerplus1 · April 2012

LilBigBug:
I didn't think I was at risk for early labor either, I think hubby is just being overprotective (if he had his way, I'd be in a plastic bubble the whole time, LOL). I guess doctor just wants me to be better safe than sorry. Thanks ladies!

This is probably true. But also remember you can GO to the hospital without the car seat, if need be. Just send DH home at one point to install it before you and LO go home

Katie829 · April 2012

Ehh I don't even have it yet. Oh well.

We plan on 37w and getting it inspected. From there we will keep the base in the car.

MrsL1022 · April 2012

When I was pg with DS1 I had the car seat installed by the fire dept at 36-37 weeks. This time we know what we are doing and need the room in my van so DH can do it before I come home from the hospital. I might toss the base in the back just in case but I am not worried about it b/c I know it will take us all of 5 minutes to install and that DH and my parents will be back and fourth to the hospital once I have DS2.

Babybear70 · April 2012

I am going to have my truck professionally detailed in a few weeks so that it is all clean before baby comes, so after that I will probably install the bases in the trucks and show DH how to do it. So I will be about 34-35 weeks by the time the bases get in the trucks...seems a fine timeline for me. Plus it will get the puppy use to the base and seat being there.

YaMrWhite · April 2012

LilBigBug:
My doctor mentioned something about putting the car seat in the car the other day, but didn't really tell me why. Is it just something he wants me to practice, or is it normally put in around this time? My hubby seems to think that because the doctor told me that, he (the doctor) thinks there's a chance of early labor. I don't think so, otherwise I probably would have been notified...

He didn't tell you why because its pretty obvious....you're having a baby! LOL

cchill01 · April 2012

We put ours in early with DD, because the firehouse near me only does inspections once a month. For this LO, we won't put it in until we're heading to the hospital...or my parents may bring it over with them.

We have lots of visitors coming in to town, so we need that extra seat in the back for now.

LoveyFNR · April 2012

I was always told approximately one month before your due date is the best time. With my first I had zero signs of early labor, barely any progress and he was still high up and breech until the very last day. We really put off installing our carseat. The very day after we installed it I went into labor and had my son at 38 weeks.

I know you usually go later with your second baby but we will definitely have the carseat installed and ready to go no later than 36 weeks this time.

MrsC968 · April 2012

If the doctor was concerned about early labor or having to delivery the baby early for any reason he would say it out right. They won't encrypt it in a message like, "put your car seat in the car."

I was going to wait until 36/37 weeks and I think that is the average. However, my LO is in a low percentage for weight and they have been monitoring her to make sure she's still staying on her growth curve and tolerating being in utero. So there's always the chance that should something become abnormal they would need to deliver her. Now that I'm 34 weeks (and the doc was just mentioning all this possible early delivery stuff yesterday) I'm going to get some extra supplies this weekend and start my hospital bag. It is supposed to rain here so we're going to put the car seat bases in next week on a sunny day.

Also, a friend of mine was suddenly diagnosed with pre-e and had an emergency c-section at 37w2d. So that kind of freaked me out too. But those cases are very rare. Luckily she had packed her bag at 36w.

LMBESQ · April 2012

We're going out of town for the weekend when I'm 35 weeks. I'll probably have it installed when we get back (36 week). I think last time I did it at 36 or 37 weeks.

Laur156 · April 2012

Ours is in my car already! Partially because we are i a 1 bedroom apartment at the moment and it works out better to have it in the car than sitting in our bedroom along with the growing mountian of baby stuff. Can't wait to move!!!

crlacey · April 2012

Since this is baby #3, DH will probably install it before he comes to get us from the hospital. If it was a first baby, we'd probably put it in a few weeks before the due date to get some practice with it.

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