Struggling as a single mum

[Ella2001]

Today has been the worst day ever . My 9 month old baby rolled off my bed this morning whilst I turned away for 5 seconds . I had pillows around her but she seems to be very quick at rolling , landed on her back (wooden floor) cried for a min but was fine again after being consoled . Then again tonight , I set her on my bed (stupid I know) to strip her to put her in bath , as I was grabbing something I literally barely stepped away from her and never once took my eye off her but again she was very quick and rolled off the bed AGAIN this time I watched and I tried to catch her but she was too quick. This time she cried longer , but was also tired and hungry so I’m not sure if she was crying from that or the fall or both. She had a bath , bottle and is now asleep , no bumps or bruises I can see . I can’t stop crying and I’m so worried she’s got a head or back inury , seriously feel like the worst mum and can’t believe I let it happen twice . Being a single mum without a break is hard enough and I’m now crying more than what she is with no one to console me . I hate myself . I’m sure it happens a lot but not twice in one day. I hope someone can calm me or console me 😭😭😭

It does happen yo most babies at some point. Twice in a day is particularly unlucky, but each fall is individuallyno more dangerous then if they were a week or month apart.

Best thing now is to move forward by planning how you will stop it happening again. Could you set up a changing area on a mat on the floor? Or move a bouncy chair (on floor), crib or playmat into your bedroom so you have somewhere safe and convenient to put her.

They roll, it's learnt, it's any opportunity and will happen every time they can
Unfortunately that means you have to now pick them up and carry with you or put where they can't roll off things if you have to do stuff.
I'm sure there's lots of newer mums than my dinosaur parenting that can give you tips.
You are doing the hardest and most brilliant job in the world and you are doing the bravest thing and asking for help.
Take a while to cuddle your baby. And take care of you.

Yeah I won’t be putting her on my bed again😭

This made me cry even more , thank you for being so nice , feeling like the shittiest mum ever

You are doing a hard job by yourself. We are all human and make mistakes, be kind to yourself. If jt helps I had to go to A&E with my 14month old because he fell down the stairs by crawling. It was the day after Id been to a first aid for babies course where they reiterated how important stair gates were 😬

Happened to my DS twice. I left him unstrapped in a bouncer once and he flipped it forward. He crawled off the bed another time. No harm done and he's 16 now. Don't beat yourself up.

Everything is going to be okay. On a really practical level I would stop putting her on the bed - this is in no way a criticism of you having done so, just an observation that she's currently a tiny lemming and you can save yourself having to worry about it if you pop her somewhere else.

If it's any consolation my son once somehow managed to roll headfirst off the sofa and land face down on a Duplo brick, which made a Duplo mark on his face that stayed there for weeks. He looked as though he'd been set upon by an octopus. And naturally I was mortified, but he was, and is, fine. You've got this.

Aw no the day after 😭 how coincidental !

Thank you x

Yeah I’m definitely not putting her on my bed again, she rolls so quick ! Thank you for sharing

You're doing amazing. It's so hard being a mum.
Happened to both of mine in my sleep deprived state. One managed to chamber onto the work top and jump off head first, week later got hold of my hairspray and managed to spray himself in his face...a& e both times because the fall resulted on a massive bump on his head. I felt awful. Literally turned away for a few seconds. They're so bloody fast. No long lasting damage.
I ended up getting a play pen so I could get on with things and they could escape. I'd strongly recommend one..

Jesus op you should have seen what I did to my dd. Forgot to put the pram break on and watched as she flew down the driveway and landed head first. I tripped over a ball and I was holding her she flew through the air in front of my eyes and landed heavily on her face and that’s only the stuff I can remember I.m surpised the poor child is still alive with me as a mother. I felt terrible but when I told other mums I felt better as they all had horror stories to tell. Thank god babies are made of concrete.

Thank you so much . I see it happens a lot but when it actually happens to your child the guilt and anxiety is so bad! My poor girl I just hope she’ll forget 😭 I’m deffo gonna get one of those

Oh goodness, poor thing and I’m sure terrifying for you too !