KK Hospital to roll out Newborn Car Seat Programme

As advanced as modern car safety systems have become, the need to strap our little ones in with proper child seats remains as pressing as ever, to ensure they are adequately protected when in the passenger seat.

To that end, KK Women's and Children's Hospital is rolling out a first-of-its-kind programme that will see it offer complimentary car seats to babies born at the hospital, in a bid to reduce the risk of child road traffic injuries. Dubbed the 'KKH Newborn Car Seat Programme', it is estimated to benefit 300 newborns in its first year, and is also currently being led in partnership with local car dealer Komoco Motors, who will sponsor the car seats, and baby retailer Mothercare. The programme is also receiving support from the Traffic Police.

Injuries among children from road traffic accidents are said to be far more severe when they are not properly strapped in to an appropriate car seat

With the car seats to be provided on a one-year loan, KKH states that parents will be invited to register their interest for their baby's first year  during their antenatal checkup. They can also sign up for the loan at the following link: for.sg/buckleupbaby.

Furthermore, it's not just the provision of the car seats that KKH is targeting with the programme, but comprehensive education on how to handle them too, through educational video resources and support on proper installation.

Accordingly, arrangements will already be made for parents to collect the car seat by their third trimester check up, in order to provide them with period of familiarisation prior to the baby's delivery. Through the entire process, parents will also be able to tap on a Child Passenger Safety Expert for advice.

Upon returning the loaned seats when their child turns one, parents will also be offered a subsidy towards their next child seat purchase.

KKH revealed in its announcement that it treats approximately 400 children for injuries from traffic accidents yearly. Speaking on the news, Dr Ronald Tan, Senior Consultant, Department of Emergency Medicine, KKH, noted that injures among children from road traffic accidents, especially to the head, spinal cord and internal organs, are "far more severe when the child isn't using a proper car seat". Potential lifelong consequences for children include impaired mobility or life-threatening complications.

"The need for families to have greater awareness about the effectiveness of car seats in saving lives has never been more crucial," he continued. 

Given that car seats are tailored specifically to the size and weight of a child, Dr Tan also emphasised the importance of transitioning children to the appropriate car seats through each successive developmental milestone, to ensure "continued safety throughout their childhood".

Comprehensive guides on how to improve child passenger safety can be found here, and here.

As of 3 March 2025, this programme is fully subscribed to, with sign-ups currently closed till further notice.