HH please baby fractured skull

[LightsS0bright]

I don’t think I’ve really processed it yet. DH slipped down the stairs carrying DS and I saw him land on his head.

DS is only 4 months old. He’s had a scan on his head and has two fractures and lots of swelling. They don’t think he has brain damage. We’re staying in the children’s hospital overnight for observation. They have to wake him up every hour. I’m so scared, I don’t think I’ve left fight or flight mode yet.

If this happened to any of you how was the recovery?

HH and many hugs for you, DH, and DS
It sounds like he's in good hands there. LOs are amazingly resilient. I hope you're able to get some rest once he's moved.

When my son was a new born I slipped down the stairs with him in my arms.

My pressure stockings didn't agree with the new carpet, and it left me terrified of carrying DS up or down stairs. Never really got over that and still feel uneasy.

Be kind to yourselves.

Accidents happen, and it sounds like your son is in the best hands possible.

Handhold OP sending love and healing thoughts 💓💓💓💓

Oh this is so sad for you all.
Hug your dh and reassure him a thousand times that this was an accident and they do happen, he will beat himself up about this for a long time. I think most parents have accidentally ended up hurting their dc in one way or another but they are resilient little things and often bounce back.
You’re all in my thoughts, hope your little one has a restful night and that you all manage to get some sleep. Fingers crossed for you.
And as someone else suggested, once home and settled do look into talking to someone externally if you’re finding it hard to move forwards, these things can be incredibly traumatic and your mind can really hang onto and play over them more than necessary (by which I mean that it was an accident and there was no intent to cause any harm so no amount of trying to think about what could have been done differently will change the outcome. I wasn’t trying to minimise it and say you should just move on straight away, I think it’s perfectly normal for it to take time to process what’s happened but if you’re at the point of it overtaking your thoughts then don’t hesitate to reach out for support ).
Take care x

Dad has 2 fractures in his skull obtained from when his dad (who was a bastard) threw him out a window at 3 mths. In those days there were no hospitals and the doctor came every day for 6 mths to pack the wound in mud to make sure it set right. Dad’s nearly 70 now and no ill effects. the younger the baby is when they crack their head the better the recovery. So please try not to worry

@smoko presumably because covid restrictions means only 1 parent can stay

@smoko the hospital policy is only 1 parent to a bay. DH has spent most of the way waiting outside the hospital and bringing me food. He’s a lovely person and a great father. Baby is EBF so that’s why I’m the one staying with him.

No advice but wanted to wish your baby and husband well.

So sorry. It’s so worrying being in hospital with little ones. He’s in the best place and they’re monitoring him. I really hope it’s good news soon.

Not a head injury, but my just 2 year old had a big standard fall in the garden which ended up with a bone injury and several operations. Accidents happen. I hope your husband is ok too

@smoko I’d imagine Covid rules!

@Ozanj Jesus that’s absolutely barbaric
That’s really upset me

I don't usually comment but This happened to me 2 days after Xmas, baby 4 1/2 months. Went up to get into pjs and new slippers to get comfy to watch Xmas movies. After 2 steps down I slipped and nearly at bottom my wee baby flew out of arms at hit head on tiled floor. I honestly still have flashbacks. She was 100%, hospital admission and lots of tests but all good. It's the worst thing and I'm sure your husband is going through a lot, even more than you can imagine. I still feel so bad and blame myself. I know it was an accident but I still blame myself. I hope you are all ok x

God how awful for you all. Unfortunately this is just one of those things, it's a terrible, terrible accidnet.

I'm so happy your baby's OK.

This will be a horrible, horrible memory one day.

Babies are brittle and whilst they break very easily they also fix very easily. They seem so fragile but they're very, very resilient.

Take it a day, hour, minute at a time if you need to. You'll be home before you can blink.

Hand hold.

This must be the most worrying thing for you. I hope your son recovers well and also your husband.

If it helps I fell down the stairs with Ds1 18 years ago, he was completely fine as I took all the damage, just bruised to high heaven. My SIL also fell downstairs with her son and he was fine but she broke her arm. It happens far more often than we think, your husband and son were just unlucky.

Oh how awful for you all. Hope you're all be ok soon

I hope your DS is ok what a scare.
I slipped down the bottom few steps with DS3 6 months, new house/carpet as I’ve never done it before. Luckily I was holding him round the waist & I fell onto my bum so he fell into me. His head hit my chin but he was fine. It happens so quickly & so easily, no doubt your DH feels awful.
I know of somebody who dropped their DD at around 3 months & she ended up with a fractured leg.
Sending hugs x

My niece fell down the stairs with her 7 month old, he had a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain and needed a long operation. But he’s made an amazing recovery, really quickly
I hope it all goes well for you all

Sending lots of positive thoughts OP for you and your baby.
@Ozanj I am so sorry that happened to your lovely dad. for everyone affected by such scary experiences.

You must both be in shock. The what ifs will haunt you both for a while. It's especially awful for your DH with not being able to be there. I'm glad DS is doing ok.

I fractured my skull when I was three years old. I landed on concrete. I have absolutely no effects from it, but I do remember it. This was in the 1970s when medical care was less advanced. Please try not to worry. I wish you all the best.

I don't usually post but have to share that my ds, at 8 months old (25 years ago) went over the edge of a high beach promenade in his pushchair when in the care of his childminder. We were sent home from hospital only to be called back the next day when they had relooked at his x rays and found skull fractures. I remember the horror, pain and anxiety very clearly but he was, and is, absolutely fine (now an adult with a good degree and successful career.) A GP friend reassured me hugely by explaining that bones in babies and small children heal well and very quickly. The childminder was in a worse state than me so actually we couldn't be too angry; it was just a terrible accident and she continued to look after him for three more years. Please don't be too hard on yourselves - accidents do happen but babies are resilient. Much love and huge hugs and stay strong for each other.

Hi OP, hope I can put your mind at rest.

When DD was 3 months old I tripped and dropped her from chest height onto some solid marble stairs. Back of her head hit the edge of a step. It makes me feel sick writing it. We were abroad at the time too, was just horrific.

She was observed in hospital but they wouldn't do a scan (I pushed but they said they didn't think necessary).

She had some swelling, her fontanelle went a bit squishy - she was then seen by a neurosurgeon who still didn't want to do a CT scan.

We stayed in for 48hrs observed. She was a bit sleepier than usual a but seemed ok in herself.

She recovered very quickly. I took longer. It still haunts me (she's 6 now). But she's fast asleep upstairs and is perfectly fine.

Please do be kind to your DH and yourself. These things are called accidents fir a reason. Babies are resilient (and I HATE to say it, but a bit bouncy). I hope your DS will be just fine. Try to stay calm, one hour at a time. Sending you lots of positivity.