Bringing your newborn home from hospital safely

Ensuring your newborn is properly secured in a suitable car seat is not just a recommendation; it’s a legal requirement. From selecting the right car seat to dressing your baby appropriately for the season, this guide provides essential tips to help you prepare for a safe and comfortable trip home from the hospital with your newborn.

Do I have to take my baby home in an infant car seat?

If you are travelling home in a car, your baby must be in a car seat that is suitable from birth. The only exception to this is when travelling home in a taxi or minicab – although your baby will always be safer in a car seat. You are not allowed to carry your baby out of the hospital in your arms. If you have a fixed car seat such as Approach Plus 360 or Motion 2 All Size 360, you will need to use your pram with a carrycot or lie flat seat to walk outside to the car.

How to prepare for travel with your newborn

• Ensure the car seat is compatible with your vehicle when you make purchase. You can use the interactive Silver Cross vehicle compatibility checker here.

• Secure the seat in the safest position in the car, which is always in the rear of the vehicle. The rear seat on the passenger side is slightly safer than the rear seat on the driver side.

• Practise using your car seat ahead of time and ensure you’re confident fitting the car seat onto and removing it from the base. Use a teddy to practise using the safety harness and use the pinch test to check the harness straps are snug enough. To do this, try to pinch the harness webbing between the buckle and shoulder pad. If you can do this, that means the harness is too loose!

• Plan baby’s coming home outfit for the season you’re travelling in. Baby should wear thin layers whilst they are in the car seat – typically a vest and baby grow, plus a thin cardigan if it’s very cold. Any clothes such as frilly dresses with lots of layers or padded jackets can interfere with the harness’ fit and are best avoided.

• Summer babies: Keep the car cool on the first drive home. Glide Plus 360 features a super soft bamboo newborn insert with thermo-regulating properties, to help keep little one cool and comfortable in warm weather.

• Winter babies: Avoid thick snowsuits or coats in the car seat as little one can easily overheat – the harness straps will also not be able to fit safely to baby. The thermo-regulating properties of Glide Plus 360’s bamboo insert keeps little one snug and warm in cold weather. If it’s very cold outside, tuck a blanket around baby after they’re strapped in – no higher than armpit level. Remember, folding the blanket counts as an extra layer!