Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Dropped baby in the bath and feel absolutely awful

22 replies

whiteswanlake · 27/01/2021 09:16

My baby loves baths and I had one with him this morning (he loves it.)

I reached over to get a flannel and somehow lost my grip of him and the poor thing went right under water. I lifted him straight to me and he was crying and crying, those really awful cries of real fear. He must have been absolutely petrified.

He’s very sleepy now - he didn’t sleep much yesterday so I’m hoping that’s it and not him nearly drowning this morning Sad

OP posts:
Penny31 · 27/01/2021 09:20

Don’t worry OP these things do happen. You got him out straight away. He’s probably just sleepy now from all the crying. Go easy on yourself! Xx

Pancakeorcrepe · 27/01/2021 09:21

Oh no! I'm sure you feel horrified but the important thing is that you were there to catch him, and the whole episode won't have lasted more than a few seconds. He'll be crying because he was startled but I'm sure it won't have any lasting effects. Just be very kind to you and him today,have a nice quiet day with some treats and lots of playtime,it will all be forgotten soon.

Original poster
whiteswanlake · 27/01/2021 09:23

Thank you, I just really hate thinking about the fright he must have had. Poor baby Sad

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Families
Ohalrightthen · 27/01/2021 09:24

Oh god i remember the first time this happened to us, so scary! The worst bit is, they forget right away but we remember forever! When DD slipped underwater the first time, my MIL told me about a time she did that to my DH by accident, and she still feels bad about it! Bonkers. DH and DD are both completely fine.

EasternDailyStress · 27/01/2021 09:30

Please don't worry, it was only the shock that made him cry. I remember my DD sliding off the sofa (onto carpet) as a 2 month old and I wasn't quick enough to catch her. I cried for days about it.

She's 25 now and still speaks to me, so I'm guessing it hasn't traumatised her Grin

Iwantacookie · 27/01/2021 09:48

Dont fret we all have little slip ups. I dropped dd out her moses basket at just a few weeks old. Obviously didnt have both handles like I thought picked it up, thud dd is on the floor screaming

Original poster
whiteswanlake · 27/01/2021 09:50

Thank you for being so kind, just hoping I haven’t made him scared of water now!

OP posts:
Roselilly36 · 27/01/2021 09:52

It’s a terrible feeling, I remember it well, my DS fell off the sofa too, I was still crying long after he stopped. He is 19 now, no harm was done. Try not to worry.

IAmcuriousyellow · 27/01/2021 09:56

Oh bless you. It’s over now, try not to dwell on it too much and work towards changing the atmosphere a bit, lots of beautiful snuggling time for y9u both, baby will know y9ure upset so try to work on that. If it makes you feel better I grabbed my toddlers arm to stop him falling and dislocated his elbow! I felt like an utter shit for a long time but honestly these things happen and no harm done in the end. Try to have a good day now.

Lunariagal · 27/01/2021 09:58

Be kind to yourself. Accidents happen.

YesIDoLoveCrisps · 27/01/2021 09:59

He will be fine. You can’t punish yourself forever for a mistake, most of us have done something like this Flowers

BrownShed · 27/01/2021 10:07

We’ve all done something similar. 4 month old DD fell off the sofa (she had never even rolled before), she cried for a bit but was fine. I felt awful about it for weeks. Just last week she (now a toddler) came up behind me as I was sweeping- I was getting under the cupboards so the broom was at an angle and as I pulled it back the end of the handle smacked her right between the eyes so hard she fell over! She cried for about 2 minutes and got over it once I have her a snack but I was still crying two hours later! I then cried some more later in the day when I saw she had a bruise! She on the other hand wasn’t even the slightest bit bothered! They are surprisingly resilient

HiveQueen · 27/01/2021 10:12

When I used to take mine to baby swimming classes we used to deliberately dunk them under the water. They were fine and have progressed through classes to be keen swimmers.

PuddleglumtheMarshWiggle · 27/01/2021 11:44

I'm with @HiveQueen
Took my babies to waterbabies from 4 months old. We were encouraged to dunk them under the water while singing Ring a ring of roseses. The babies got used to it and enjoyed playing in the water. Both are confident swimmers now.
I don't mind to undermind the shock you had as, of course, this wasn't intentional on your part. I'm only hoping to reassure that you haven't done anything that would harm the baby. They have got over it quicker than you have.
Now have some tea and biscuits and relax. You're a good mum!

Thesearmsofmine · 27/01/2021 11:47

I think most parents have had an accident like this, if not in the bath, they slide off the bed or sofa, or bang their hand on the door frame or the car while getting them in their seat. He will have forgotten already.

BashfulClam · 27/01/2021 11:49

My dad dropped me in a swimming pool as a baby. I don’t remember it. He said I was terrible for squirming and they called me ‘the wee salmon’ so that combined with slippery skin in the water caused me to skip.

midsummabreak · 27/01/2021 11:51

You certainly have not done anything wrong we all have accidents, you are not alone. But please call for medical advice, to double check with them what to look out for after a baby has been under water and inhaled water. if he is sleeping more than usual it’s good just to check, as if he inhaled a lot of water into lungs there is a risk that he can drown later unless seek medical support.

Alfaix · 27/01/2021 11:53

Another one who did waterbabies.
Pretend you yourself you said “ready baby go”if it helps.

Covidasaurus · 27/01/2021 11:54

At some point you will drop baby in bath, let baby roll off bed, scald baby with tea... you will feel TERRIBLE each time. It’s part of the package. Give yourself and baby a cuddle. X

RB68 · 27/01/2021 12:03

We went to swimming classes where babies were dunked - just make lots of reassuring noises, they are generally fine and at a very young age have an automatic reaction to being underwater still.

murbblurb · 27/01/2021 12:15

I would suggest calling 111 for reassurance if he is sleepy.

But you were right there and did the right thing. Don't beat yourself up. The loud yells are evolution in action 'mum - I need help!'

PotteringAlong · 27/01/2021 12:28

I agree with everyone else - in normal times you would have been swimming lots and a quick dunk wouldn’t feature as something to worry about.

Honestly, don’t worry.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page