Preemie Car Seat?

My girls were born on Tuesday and we get to leave the hospital today. They are in their 1 hr car seat challenge test at the moment. The nurses pointed out that my Graco Snug Ride seat is rated for 5-20 pounds and Georgia only weighs 4lbs 1 oz. today. They have a waiver I can sign that says I understand this. Did anyone else have to deal with this? I don't want to have to go buy another car seat for just a couple weeks. But I want her to be safe too. TIA

 

I had the graco snug rides also, but by the time my girls were allowed to leave the NICU they were both over 5lbs. How far away do you live from the hospital? Do they carry one that you can rent? That would be a really tough choice because its a bummer to have to go out and buy another car seat to use for such a short time, but on the other hand I dont know thats a risk I would be willing to take. Hopefully some other mommies that have been through this can help you out more than I can. GL!! And congrats on bringing your LO's home!

 

Both my kids were 4 lbs 9 oz when we left the hospital and it went just fine. We rolled up receiving blankets and put them on either side, made the belts as absolutely tight as they would go, and they fit fine.

Then once we got them home we didn't take them anywhere until they were over 5 lbs!

 

Our girls were only just over four pounds when we brought them home in their Graco Snug Rides. They were fine and buying two more car seats just seems like a lot of money to spend on something you would only use a couple times. The girls were over the five pound mark probably within a week or so of being home and I'm pretty sure we never even left the house with them when they were that small. So I say if you're really, really worried about it then buy them. Otherwise, I think you'd be alright with the seats you already have.

 

Both of mine passed the car seat test before being discharged from the NICU. We brought them each home in a Graco Snugride, Emilie was 4 lbs. 2 oz. and Trevor was 5 lbs 1oz.

 

Both of mine were right at 5lbs when we all came home, but because they were born before 37wks, they had to take the car seat test. I was told if they failed or were too small for the infant seat, we could borrow (rent?) a special car seat from the NICU.

 

Claire was only 4lbs 5ozs at birth and she came home in the same carseat. It was fine....I wouldn't worry to much!

April

 

Mine were 5 lb 8 oz and came home in the graco snugrides seats. SOrry I can't help.

 

Mine were a little under 5lbs. and did fine in the Snugride. With the hoops you have to jump through to get out of NICU, I figured that they weren't too worried about this and therefore, I wasn't going to worry. Once you get them home, you won't take them out on a regular basis for a while...they will grow quickly and it won't be an issue.

 

Mine were discharged both under 5 pounds. Mitchell was actually only 3 lb., 12 oz. and he did fine in the car seat. I got an insert for the headrest but that was it. I don't remember signing any waiver but I signed a LOT of stuff!

 

kaylin was 4 6 when we left the hospital and they gave me a special carseat that rode sideways in the car. although to be honest it was a pain in the butt and i ended up using her regular carseat (although we hardly ever left the house then)

 

DD was 3 lb 8 oz at discharge and came home in the SnugRide - the Carbed that they convince you to use if your kids are too small or don't "pass" the carseat test is also rated for 5 lbs - I haven't seen a carseat (or bed) that rates for under 5 lbs...

 

[SIZE=10pt]We were in the NICU for a week and had to pass the car seat test too. The nurses rolled up blankets, put them on the sides of them both as well as one under DD (she was only 4 lbs 5 oz at discharge). They showed up how to do the same and how to make sure that they were nice and snug in the seats. We didn't go very many places the first month or so, other than the PEDI.

Congrats on your girls!!

April [/SIZE]

 

We rented a car bed from the hospital medical supply company. $25 for a month. By the time we brought home our second baby from the NICU, the first one had gone over the 5 pound mark, so we only ever rented one.

 

We brought our girls home in the SnugRides and they weren't quite 5lbs yet. They passed the carseat test in those seats so the NICU said it was ok. I was apprehensive about it, but after reading on this board and the NICU board, many people have done it. If you are very concerned, talk to your NICU about renting a carbed. Many medical supply places will rent them to you since you will only need to use it for a very short time. Congratulations on your babies and welcome to FY!