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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to be so upset that I fell downstairs while holding my baby....

20 replies

boredwithfoodprob · 15/12/2011 20:33

Just want some reassurance. I was on my own this evening with ds 3yrs and dd 4 months. DH is working till late so was doing the bedtime thing on my own which is a bit of a challenge and was rushing around getting baths run, dinner cooked/eaten, baby fed etc etc. Baby dd was at the point in the evening when she will cry at being put down so I was carrying her around with me as I usually would. Anyway, in a rush to get downstairs to DS shouting me I slipped on the stairs and fell down about half a flight while holding dd. Thankfully I didn't drop her or bump her on anything but she was very upset and i'm worried i've hurt her in some other way. I feel so bad about it, she's such a placid sweet baby, it was horrible seeing her so upset. She's in bed now, having had a nice bath and feed as usual but i'm still worried and on the verge of tears just thinking about it. Would love some reassurance xx

OP posts:

GirlWithALlamaTattoo · 15/12/2011 20:34

My friend fell down the stairs with her DD at a similar age. DD is now 16, did very well in her GCSEs and works in a chip shop.

blackoutthexmaslights · 15/12/2011 20:36

aww bless you dd will be fine, i was dropped on my head as a baby and i've turned out ok

Cherriesarelovely · 15/12/2011 20:36

You poor thing OP. Falling down the stairs is so horrible. I did that when I was overdue with DD. She was fine, I had a massive bruise on my bum! I'm sure she is ok if you didn't drop her or fall on her or squash her, was she ok in her bath and during her feed? If so she is probably absolutely fine but if you are worried in the morning you could take her to the GP just to check. Did you injure yourself?

scaryhairydroopytits · 15/12/2011 20:36

Oh poor you. If dd didn't hit anything I'm sure she's just a bit shocked and picking up on your stress. Accidents happen and there won't be any lasting damage. I have ds1 aged 3.4 and ds2 8 months and doing bed time on my own is frantic.

BroomBuBuBum · 15/12/2011 20:37

I would feel awful too, my DD is 5 months. But it's not your fault. Did she seem ok afterwards? Her usual self? I'd keep a close eye on her but I'm sure she's fine.

Have a and some chocolate. Will help you calm down a bit.

anonandariston · 15/12/2011 20:37

She'll be fine try not to worry, most babies will have knocks and bumps at some point!

I'm sorry though, it must have really shaken you up, have a nice sweet cup of tea or a glass of wine and be kind to yourself

ChippingInNeedsSleep · 15/12/2011 20:37

How sure are you that she didn't bump her head? If you are 100% sure then you really need to stop worrying. She will soon get over it - sooner than you will! If you think there's any chance she might have bumped her head then you need to keep a very close eye on her and ring NHS direct if you don't know what to look out for.

Accidents happen - there's absolutely no point in beating yourself up about it. Have a or a and sit down for a bit.

If DD still doesn't seem herself tomorrow then you should take her to the GP & get her checked over just in case she's broken something or pulled something.

nursenic · 15/12/2011 20:38

Oh no wonder you are worried. It's such a shock when you fall isn't it?

I imagine you have had a little 'feel' all over her body to check for any tender areas and all seems well?

Yes, she must have had a fright and 'felt' your fright but placid babies tend to not fret for long.....I'm sure you haven't given her a life time complex regarding stairs.

If you have any doubts, call NHS Direct, the local A&E or your on call GP service. All will provide reassurance.

Big hug to you....

AnyoneforTurps · 15/12/2011 20:39

You poor thing - falling like this is horrid. But I'm sure your DD is absolutely fine. It is actually a good sign that she cried straightaway (I'm a doctor). Babies are surprisingly tough.

Floggingmolly · 15/12/2011 20:39

Aw, she just got a fright, and she's probably now just feeding off your distress.
It's crap, isn't it? But it was a complete accident, and she came to no harm. Make yourself a cup of tea (or pour some wine!) and try to relax. She'll have forgotten about it by morning . You won't of course, but please don't beat yourself up any more.

nursenic · 15/12/2011 20:39

And i forgot to ask....Are you alright? Have you hurt yourself? A nice warm bath and a glass of wine/cup of tea might help you...

GrownUpBelievesInSanta · 15/12/2011 20:40

She'll be fine, just sit down and take a few deep breaths, calm down and stop worrying about the fall itself.

Once you are calmer, give both of yourselves a once over for injuries that you might have missed with the adrenaline rush of panic.

If it makes you feel any better, I've done far worse to DD (3) when she tripped over my foot at the top of the stairs and cartwheeled down. Apart from being a bit winded and getting a fright, she was up and at it again within minutes. They are pretty resilient. xx

PointyLittleDonkeyEars · 15/12/2011 20:41

I've done this - carrying DD downstairs, she did a mad baby lunge and put me off balance and I fell from about halfway down. I curled myself up so that she landed on me - she didn't even cry. I sprained my ankle, very painful but we were both OK.

As a mum your instinct is always to save your baby - I'll bet you did something in the fall to shield your DD, OP, even if you aren't aware of having done it.

slavetofilofax · 15/12/2011 20:41

I can imaging that if you fell down half a flight of stairs and managed to keep your baby safe and un bumped, then that is proof that you are a lovely and very instinctive mother.

It was an accident, and during that accident you managed to protect your baby. You have no reason to feel bad.

Once when ds1 was a baby, ExDP tripped while holding him. Instinct seemed to take over, and as he fell he somehow twisted himself to stop ds falling towards the nearby coffee table. Ds was fine, but poor ExDP tore one of the ligaments in his knee quite badly because of the turn he made. I saw the whole thing, and it was very impressive how parental instinct acts so quickly to protect our babies. It was very odd to watch!

DartsAgain · 15/12/2011 20:41

DD was 4 months old when I slipped down the stairs while holding her. I felt my feet go from under me after slipping on a stray item of clothing I'd missed and managed to hold DD still so she was never in any danger while I ended up at our local minor injury unit with a very, very badly sprained ankle. I crawled to the phone and called my mum, who came and helped me out (DP being in another town that day). I think the fact that I slipped backwards and went down on my back enabled me to use my arms sort of like shock absorbers for dd. This was 11 years ago, and my ankle is stiff even now in cold weather. DD, however, is as fine as she ever was....

eirikthered · 15/12/2011 20:43

My mum fell down a whole flight of stairs holding my sister. She's now 29, married, with a good degree from Leeds Uni and steady job. Your little one will be fine!

AnyoneforTurps · 15/12/2011 20:49

I once looked after a baby who had fallen out of a car doing 70 (not strapped in ) and hit the central reservation. She was completely unhurt. Your DD will be fine

oreocrumbs · 15/12/2011 20:51

Bless you I've fallen with DD twice, not long ago and ended up black and blue from bum to foot and broke my foot - DD was fine.

And last winter when she was 4mo I fell carrying her to the car and completely dropped the car seat with her in it, again she was fine. I couldn't get over that for ages though I really was lucky she wasn't hurt.

My DM says that when you fall with a child your natural reactions take over and you shield them with your body.

Original poster

boredwithfoodprob · 15/12/2011 21:00

oh my goodness! What lovely lovely messages, thank you so much. Actually they were so lovely almost had me in tears again! I do feel much better and very reassured, especially by those of you who have had similar accidents. In answer to some of you who asked - yes she seemed pretty happy, if tired during her bath etc and I have been up and checked on her since and she is sleeping soundly. I've got a bit of bad back and bruised bum! But I will take your advice and have a bath and a nice drink. Thank you so much for your quick and sympathetic replies, I really do appreciate it xx

OP posts:

CatPower · 15/12/2011 21:00

I fell down the stairs with my DS when he was a similar age, he did a somersault as he flew through the air and landed on his bum at the bottom of the stairs. For a horrible moment I thought I'd killed him, but he was fine, didn't even cry! Babies are incredibly bouncy resilient.

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