Car seats

I’d check with your hospital - we were told we HAD to have a car seat that we can take out of the car and then bring to the car. However if you’re not actually using it then you could just borrow one from someone if you can or get it second hand if you’re not actually putting it into the car (as in you’re just transferring baby into this) - but just check with your hospital as some can be p strict about whether they’ll let you leave without one

Depending on the weight your baby is born they may not get a safe fit in a seat like this. Most babies won’t until they are around 4 months old, even though they say from newborn, they are not safe from newborn. Also Cossatto are minimally tested and when they say additional testing that is for the fabric only. Your better getting an infant carrier and then another seat once they max out the height/weight. There are great groups on FB to join that can help x

so is it worth getting a small car seat until they outgrow that at 6/8 months, and then go into this seat?

You need an infant carrier first. This group on Facebook are so helpful and you can find lots of information on car seat

https://m.facebook.com/groups/carseatsafetyuk/?ref=share

my first born managed to stay in his seat until 15 months and he was on the 90th percentile, so a chunky boy! I then got a britax maxway which he will be in until he is 25kg or 125cm - whichever comes first. So when I track his current centile line, he should hit that between 5-6 years old.
For my twins I am getting two maxi cosy caribo isize car seats and will use them until the max them out. Then I’ll get another rear facing car seat that will last them until they are ready for a high back booster. X

Most infant carriers last until about 13kg. My 2 year old is still only 11kg so you will get plenty of use out of an infant carrier. Admittedly we did change to a bigger seat at about 18 months as was needing a second seat anyway. But honestly infant carriers are a lifesaver for when they fall asleep in the car and can get them from car to home easier or nipping to the shops!
Plus infant carriers have been tested to the highest standards whereas the one in your picture is unfortunately not recommended as barely scrapes crash testing, especially for newborns x

We have a travel system so we have the carry car seat but also brought the Jòie stages car seat which lasts until they are 7 years x

not sure if you are aware, but this seat is only tested to the bare minimum and isn’t actually suitable from birth. More like 10lbs plus at a minimum. There are also cheaper seats that are WAY safer! Look on the FB group Chanelle tagged above - great advice on there x

Is it safe to buy one second hand? I can’t remember what I did for my son, it was too long ago.

no unfortunately it’s not you do not know the history or the car seat; if it’s been in an accident or how it has been stored x

Seats like this won’t support a newborn baby- you’ll need an infant carrier or I think the avionaut sky is birth to 25kg rear facing x

Also, from a convenience point of view, having a car seat that you can get baby strapped in and wrapped up in the house and then literally load straight into the car will be a lot easier than carrying baby and bags out to the car, removing their coat and then strapping them in and covering them - especially a Feb baby when it’s likely to be cold and wet. So much easier to get them secure and cosy whilst you’re still indoors x

I have a Joie i-spin safe which is plus tested and I have used it since birth with my little boy. I may however get an infant carrier this time for the first few months in case they are smaller than my boy, as he had a good fit in the seat. But to answer your question, we left the hospital with baby in the pram and they had no problem, didn't even ask. Xc