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Original poster

Baby has been bleeding from thumb for over 2 hours. What do I do?

51 replies

CleanTheChicken · 11/06/2022 22:59

A small chunk of my baby's (10 months) thumb got chopped off while cutting her nails today. So an open wound. She's been continually bleeding since 8.30pm despite keeping it tightly covered with a cloth the entire time. Called 111 and they said to take her to the hospital. Took her and they've said the wait is 5 hours. She's been unwell for a week too (think it's a bug as we all now have it. Not COVID). The bleeding has luckily stopped for about 20 minutes now but don't know if I should stay here for half the night just to be quickly seen and then be fobbed off with something ridiculous as they usually do or go home, cover the wound, keep it sterile and see how she is tomorrow. I've been up since 5am and not been too well myself and honestly the 5 hour wait is sounding a little dreadful to me. But obviously my baby takes priority. Is it worth staying on? Or can I do something for her at home?

OP posts:
vipersnest1 · 11/06/2022 23:36

OP, I've never had that particular accident (I've had several others, as we all do, unless people are claiming to be a saint!)
I think it's wise to stay just to get your DD's finger checked out.
BTW, I wouldn't feed the obviously goady poster(s). It's not personal, just what they do, possibly so they can pat themselves on the back as a 'wonderful person'. It's Saturday night, and some folks are bound to have had a few drinks.
I hope you get seen soon.

IdiotCreatures · 11/06/2022 23:37

I would stay, unless there was a paediatric a and e nearby. If there was I would head to that. But guessing there isn't as I think you would have gone there already.
Has she been triaged?
Is there anyone at all who could come and offer some support?
Guessing your lack of sleep probably led to the problem in the first place.
Hope they get her seen sooner rather than later.

Original poster
CleanTheChicken · 11/06/2022 23:42

SunnyShiner · 11/06/2022 23:24

How much did you cut off?

I would stay at the hospital.

Well they have tiny thumbs so doesn't seem like much to us but I'd say the top half corner of her thumb. Only noticed it a little while ago when the bleeding stopped. Would've come in earlier had I known so much was missing. And I didn't cut it, my husband did. She's far too fidgety (hence the chopped thumb) and my fingers start aching from the strain of holding her hand and cutting her nails. Any advise on how to make my daughter less hyperactive lol. She and her twin sister are tiny but so mischievous I even have to take the monitor with me when I go to the loo.

OP posts:

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jayhoo · 11/06/2022 23:47

Completely unhelpful at this point but I was advised to bite my baby's nails when they were tiny. Hope you get sorted soon

IcakethereforeIam · 11/06/2022 23:48

A bit off topic but always nibbled my babies nails to shorten them. I was worried I'd cut them and my teeth could tell the difference between flesh and nail.

All the best to you and baby.

AmaryIlis · 11/06/2022 23:51

Has a triage nurse seen you and your baby? If so, did they give any indication what if anything they could do?

Somethingsnappy · 11/06/2022 23:57

We've always just bitten our babies' nails too OP.
I hope you get seen soon. Even if they don't do much when they see your baby, you'll feel better afterwards, better than if you left now and end up feeling anxious. They do seem to try to give babies and young children priority, so hopefully it won't be as long as suggested.

Pieceofpurplesky · 11/06/2022 23:58

Poor baby - and poor you OP. She will be fine, wait and be seen.
Ignore those who were negative. You (or your DH) are not the first and won't be the last to do this

Original poster
CleanTheChicken · 11/06/2022 23:58

jayhoo · 11/06/2022 23:47

Completely unhelpful at this point but I was advised to bite my baby's nails when they were tiny. Hope you get sorted soon

I am home and my lovely (guilty) husband has taken over. I've been told that biting their nails off ruins their nails or something like that so haven't done that. Think I'll try the electric file thing. Husband isn't a fan of it but he doesn't get a say anymore lol. Anyone use that? Maybe the vibrations will fascinate my twins and they'll sit still for once (like they do when I vacuum).

Thanks for all the advise lovely people x.

OP posts:
LaFloristaCalista · 11/06/2022 23:59

It's easier to cut babies nails when they are asleep. I hope you get seen soon!

Original poster
CleanTheChicken · 12/06/2022 00:08

Ahhh you're all so sweet. No need to feel sorry for me. Think it's a side effect of having twins. I'm kind of permanently tired with a side of delirious. Doesn't matter. They're worth it. They'll make up for all this when they're 11 and one's massaging my feet while the other one massages my head every night 😁. And while my husband bakes me a treat too obviously.

OP posts:
Mummyoflittledragon · 12/06/2022 03:09

Head and foot massages from altruistic tweens? Yup deffo delirious! I’m glad your dd is ok and hoping you’re getting some sleep.

AmaryIlis · 12/06/2022 08:52

Did you get seen, then?

Okeydoky · 12/06/2022 08:59

You can just use a regular nail file on them at that age if you're gentle

SmiledWtherisingsun · 12/06/2022 09:06

I'd stay and get it checked out op and bite their nails in future x

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 12/06/2022 09:08

I'm glad he's staying,that's a lot of blood. I used to do all nail clipping when ds was asleep.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 12/06/2022 09:09

I wouldn't bite a babies nail, you could accidentally rip them lower than intended.

AmaryIlis · 12/06/2022 09:20

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 12/06/2022 09:08

I'm glad he's staying,that's a lot of blood. I used to do all nail clipping when ds was asleep.

OP was home within an hour of first posting?

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 12/06/2022 09:23

AmaryIlis · 12/06/2022 09:20

OP was home within an hour of first posting?

Show quote history

Her Dh has taken over so OP could come home. Not sure what your point is.

KarrotKake · 12/06/2022 09:23

I haven't cut a childs nails since DS1 was 3 months old, and I did similar to you.
It did stop bleeding, and you cant tell now.
DH used nail clippers for years (I use scissors), and now the kids use clippers themselves.

AmaryIlis · 12/06/2022 09:26

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor, I didn't read that as meaning he'd taken over at A&E, but no doubt OP will clarify in due course.

TabithaTittlemouse · 12/06/2022 11:34

@AmaryIlis why do you think that?

@CleanTheChicken how is she today? I hope you got some rest?

Original poster
CleanTheChicken · 12/06/2022 14:00

Yep my husband took over. He's also been up with the twins since 7am while I got my much needed rest. And my daughter is thankfully okay. They got home at 2am so the wait wasn't too bad. Time kind of flies there doesn't it. My gut instinct was right though (that it didn't look THAT serious) but I'm still glad we stayed on at the hospital. It was only a shallow cut after all. Just now need to look out for swelling or such like a PP suggested.

Thank you for all the advise though. You were all right really. That it doesn't seem too bad but might aswell stay on x. Now off I go to find bubble wrap body armor for my babies.

OP posts:
OhRiRi · 12/06/2022 14:06

Glad baby is OK but a small cut with pressure like that 6oud expect to stop bleeding relatively quickly. I'd be inclined to follow it up with your GP as they may want to check clotting. It's likely nothing but if she does have a problem with clotting, it's something you probably want to be aware of

Summerwhereareyou · 12/06/2022 14:55

Op I would also stay just in case, that's a lot of blood for a tiny baby and let them asses her and also the finger wound.

It's an awfully long wait!
It's come to something when someone with a baby is forced to asked MN for advice whilst sat in hospital.

It maybe sooner....