Child fell out of shopping trolley - worried

[Embarrassedmummy2]

NC for this because I’m feeling like the worst mum. DS (3 years) was due for a nap but quite wound up (he is starting to skip naps but got up quite early today for some reason). We went for a walk and often he’ll sleep in the carrier but didn’t. I decided to go to the shops and he wanted to ride in the trolley. There were none with the child seats so I grabbed what was available - a full size shallow trolley.

I set him down and he stood up to try to pull on the folding flap bit (that allows the trolleys to nest, below the handle that you push). I told him to sit down but instead he fell out of the trolley backwards, landing flat on his back, but also of course his head hit the ground. He had a big padded hood on. I picked him up immediately and he was crying and crying. After about 10 minutes of cuddles he said he wanted to go home and was rubbing his eyes. (It was now a bit past his usual nap time). I put him in the carrier and he had a short nap whilst we walked home. He was responsive that whole time (if I moved his hood he reached to put it back on, etc)

The afternoon and evening were fine. He was a bit wound up but has been having more tantrums lately (I am also 10 weeks pregnant and feeling rubbish and I think he misses mummy time as I’m often laid up in bed sick). He ate dinner normally and went to bed. It’s been over eight hours and I’ve checked on him regularly and he is sleeping soundly but rousable.

But now I’m googling falls from trolleys and seeing that children die from this?!? Im cross with myself for not taking him in to A&E but can’t imagine what they would have done? There was no bleeding and no lump to his head and he hasn’t complained of any pain in his head since it happened. It’s now quite late at night and I can’t imagine waking him up to take him in now? He has fallen off the back of the sofa backwards once before and that was higher than this?

Any advice please? Im now beside myself with worry. Thank you.

He'll be fine after this amount of time. You wont put him in a trolley like that again. What kind of carrier are you using that can take the weight of a 3 year old?

I would suggest calling 111 but I think they'll tell you to take him to A&E because of his age and the distance fallen (they won't want to take any chances).

I definitely won’t put him in any trolley again! We have a toddler specific carrier so it can accommodate his height and weight.

But now I’m googling falls from trolleys and seeing that children die from this?!?

Yes, they do. It's a very dangerous fall onto very, very hard floors. I would be going straight to A&E, and I am not some nervous mother. Head injuries are nothing to play with.

You were very very lucky. A shallow trolley is just asking for your child to hit the ground. Trolley's can also tip over.

Keep an eye on him. If you took him to hospital, they would just do a quick neurologic exam in triage and give you a leaflet with what to look out for in head injuries. If you check the NHS website, you'll see what to look out for. If he hasnt been sick or seemed dizzy and his eyes are fine then you're probably OK.

Dont put him in a trolley again, even a deep one. People put their food in there.

I would call 111 and ask for advice. I'd rather wake him and check it's ok than risk it.

If you call 111, they will only tell you to take him to a and e. They are not medically trained and it is their go to response. So it’s whether you want to take him or not,

How is he today @Embarrassedmummy2? Did you take him to A&E?

Thank you for checking. He is fine. I spoke with a friend who is a paediatric ITU nurse and she told me just to keep an eye and what to look out for. She said A&E wouldn’t have done anything additional based on the fall and his response and how much time had elapsed.

I slept on the floor in his room with him and was up several times to check on him. He has been happy all day and not said he’s got any head pain. So grateful to have avoided disaster on this occasion, will feel foolish and embarrassed forever about this I’m sure.

Well at least you've learnt not to put him in a shallow trolley again!

I'm glad he's Ok! Don't beat yourself up too much.

I'm pleased he's okay, I just wanted to say that I did this many times with my girls unaware of any potential danger. Tbf they always sat pretty still but just wanted you to know

Thank you all for the kindness and reassurance. I reckon I’m just knackered from first trimester and DH has been working away this week. I still feel a bit sick thinking about it but I definitely won’t put him in a trolley like that again

Even deep ones will tip easily. That's why they're covered in warnings. We don't tell you to not put your kids in them just for shits and giggles.

I used to work in a hardware store and the amount of people who would let their kids ride on the flat trolleys was ridiculous. You'd tell them to get their kid off the trolley and they would either do it then let them back on once I'd turned away or tell me to fuck off.

What they don't get is that I called the ambulance for the child who held on to the edge and trapped her fingers, almost severing them, she was cut down to the bone. My manager helped the little girl who knocked out four of her adult teeth when her parents pulled the trolley over the speed bump in the car park and she hit her mouth on the bar she was holding onto.

And those were only the serious accidents. Lost count of the bruised fingers, minor cuts and banged heads from riding on trolleys not designed for it. If it hasn't got a seat, don't put children in it.

We're not being jobsworths, we're trying to protect your kids. I couldn't give a fuck what they do as long as it's not dangerous or negatively affecting me. If I tell a customer to stop doing something it's for a reason but the amount of abuse we get is insane.