Leaving the hospital can be a stressful time. You are exhausted and ready to get home to start your life with the new baby. It is important to install your car seat and have it inspected by a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician BEFORE you deliver your baby. This will reduce the stress of leaving the hospital.

Be sure to take some extra receiving blankets to the hospital with you to properly prop the baby’s head up in the car seat. We recommend that someone ride in the back seat with baby on the trip home.

At St. John’s, you are encouraged to receive car seat education during the prenatal stage. We also have a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician who can come to your hospital room to discuss car seat safety and to help you place your new baby properly in the car seat. It is important to bring the car seat to the room. It is not necessary to bring the base to the room. It can stay buckled into the car.

The car seat technician will answer any questions that you may have before you leave the hospital, but it is a good idea to get your car seat checked before you deliver. We will not be able to put your seat in your vehicle before you leave the hospital. Used car seats are discouraged and will be discouraged by the car seat technicians at St. John’s.

How to Get Your Car Seat Checked

A free car seat check is offered on the second Saturday of each month in southwest Missouri, or three agencies in Springfield provide FREE car seat checks. You are encouraged to call any of these agencies to insure that your car seat is installed properly. All agencies check car seats by appointment only.

¢ Safety Council of the Ozarks
   1111 S. Glenstone
   417-869-2121

¢ Traffic Safety Alliance of the Ozarks
   2620 W. Battlefield
   417-864-2037

¢ St. John’s Trauma Services
   1235 E. Cherokee
   417-820-6671