Car seat

I would say invest in a car seat as it is super useful... but wait to use till ur kid is one year old or atleast 7months plus.

Hi Surabhi. The concept of having a carseat is really under-rated in India. We have been living abroad for more than 8 years & I have had both my children here. We have used a car seat from the day we took them home from the hospital. Infact, the hospital authorities here do not discharge a newborn baby unless they see a car seat (if taking the baby home in a car). So it is completely safe to use the age appropriate car seat. It gives the other passengers peace of mind and keeps the baby comfortable in his/her own seat. We have been on long drives (8-10 hours) with my daughter in her infant car seat when she was about 6 months old. It was great as she slept when she felt like and without any disturbance. So I highly recommend a car seat for your 3 month old. There are usually 3 groups of car seats depending on a child's age & weight. First type is group 1 which is suitable for 0 months to 15/18 months and upto 13kgs. This seat is recommended to be fitted facing the rear as it completely protects the baby in case of an impact (it is proven so). So to start off with you may invest in an infant car seat. Once your baby is close to 18 months, you may move to a bigger seat. There are brands such as Chicco, which have one seat suitable for both group 2 and 3 (weight from 12 kg upto 36 kg). this saves you from buying one for group 2 then again one when your child moves on to the group 3. It saves money too! For this type (combination of group 2 & 3) the belt and headrest need to be adjusted according to the child's age (follow instruction manual of just google). I suggest you drop by a store and take a look at the types of car seats available. My suggestion is to go for one right away. This way you can take your baby out for a drive as and when you may feel like without having to ask another family member or a friend to come along just to hold your baby. I also suggest you read up on the safety aspects of having a car seat. Teaching your child these little important things (using a car seat/seat belt, a helmet when riding a bicycle etc) go a long way in instilling good and very important habits in them. So once again, I urge you to get one. It is completely safe and people around the world use it for their babies from the day they are born. There are no health risks to your baby, your child will have no growth abnormalities, the car seat will not affect your baby in any way.. My kids are living proof. I have been using car seats and will continue till my children pass the age when they wont require one :) I hope this is enough information to help you make a decision. Good luck!

Surabhi, may i also add that it is not necessary that your baby needs to be able to sit up on his/her own to be able to use a car seat. The infant car seat is a reclining one, so your baby will not be sitting on it and will be in a reclining position. The seats are well cushioned and straps are completely adjustable to keep your baby comfortable. Your child may cry initially to get into one but will get used to it. It will not distract you from driving as you know your child is safely strapped in. You may add some soft hanging toys, musical toys too to keep your baby busy when on the move. These toys are easy to find in any baby store. It is also very easy to just take the car seat out with your baby in it (great when your baby is asleep) into the house or when visiting someone/the store etc. You may also look at options where in you have a pram with an infant car seat, which can be fitting onto the pram and used as a car seat too.

Car seat is much safer and reliable than any nanny or family member since it holds the child comfortably and no chance of the child falling due to sudden even momentary lack of attention .just keep the child cool coz lying in the same position for an hour or so sweats the child's back.

I agree to anurima completely. I was under assumption that we may get an additional place without that. But believe me your child would be very much relaxed to sit in that than your lap. Also infant car seat is fixed in such a way, eventhough the accident happens, the child would be very much safe.