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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To bring our almost 8 month old to A&E or not?

81 replies

JonathanCampell · 30/05/2015 21:12

Hello ladies

I'm posting for my wife. Tonight when we were getting out almost 8 month old baby changed on the floor of his nursery, our floors are carpeted and he was on his play mat, while sitting him up to get changed when he pushed himself back onto the floor (about 3 or 4 inches would be correct to him sitting up) and hit the back of his head, he'd done something similar with me when he was five months during the day but showed no signs and was alert. My wife dove in and grabbed him and he didn't cry but now she's panicking in case it has damaged him, though she put him down to sleep.

After a few minutes she l'd worked herself up and went to pick him up to check for signs but It's a tough situation because he's already tired since it was his bed time and he had his bath so when my wife picked him up it took him a few moments to come round, rubbing his eyes and eventually opening them and crying because she had woke him. He was trying to hide his face in her shirt and closing his eye to go back to sleep so when she bounced him up and down he cried for the simple fact (in my opinion) to go back to sleep so we agreed to leave him for an hour and check on him regularly and wake him up again in an hour's time.
Please ladies could you give us some advice/reassurance as this really is a tough one for her. It's our first child and much tried for child.

OP posts:
bluejeanswhiteshirt · 30/05/2015 22:01

My 8 month old fell backwards from sitting position last week and I panicked at first but never considered that any damage might have been caused as babies do this a LOT I thought?

Original poster
JonathanCampell · 30/05/2015 22:02

Thank you, indecision. Smile She does go to therapy for her anxiety once a week but the fear for her is judgement and such. Though after showing her this thread she seems a bit more reassured, combing this and checking on him/rousing him if need be is helping slowly calm her. I think it was the shock of it all and the fact that drowsiness really is impossible to look for when they're already tired like previous posters have said.

OP posts:
DisappointedOne · 30/05/2015 22:05

Butter on a bump.

Works for us.

ucanmedic.blogspot.co.uk/2010/04/butter-on-bruise.html?m=1

OhEmGeee · 30/05/2015 22:06

My 9 month old is cuising and has toppled over more times than I can count. He's absolutely fine. A&E will not refer to SS because your baby fell over backwards.

OhEmGeee · 30/05/2015 22:07

Cruising even!

gamerchick · 30/05/2015 22:07

I wouldn't worry from what you've said. I remember seriously thinking about a home made crash helmet a few times with mine.

I take it your baby hasn't fell off the bed yet?

WellErrr · 30/05/2015 22:08

You sound like lovely parents :)

Please try not to worry. He sounds fine. My 9 month old regularly gets pushed over from sitting position onto the back of her head from her darling Hmm big brother Grin.

They're very tough.

Honestly though, you have a lucky baby with such a caring and loving family.

Original poster
JonathanCampell · 30/05/2015 22:09

He has no bump or marks but I'll file away the butter suggestion as its really something I would have never thought would have worked.

No he hasn't, gamer and I pray that day never comes if this is how it feels when he falls backwards into the carpet. Though I do like the idea of a crash helmet Smile

OP posts:
nameChangeQueen · 30/05/2015 22:09

When my dd was about 7 months old, she fell from a bed on to a hard wooden floor. She cried solidly for about 10 mins and then not long after she fell asleep. She had been tired before the fall but of course we had no way of knowing if she slept because of the tiredness or concussion.

My dp insisted we took her to A&E, I thought she was fine. He's the worrier in our relationship! Anyway, we spent hours in A&E to be told she was fine.

I really don't think your baby needs to go to A&E because he fell back slightly during a nappy change! My dd does that a lot too btw, it must be common. It is normal to get a bit anxious when you're a new parent but it sounds like your wife may be at the extreme end. It might be worth her having a chat to the health visitors about this (the anxiety), she won't get in any trouble for it but they might be able to help her. I say that as someone who used to be on medication for anxiety.

WellErrr · 30/05/2015 22:11

Ooh yy gamerchick, just wait till you drop him off a bed jonathon! Or let him topple down the stairs.

Mine rolled off the sofa last week onto the carpet. 2 year old was most upset as he'd spent ages heaving her up there as I was on hold to BT Hmm Blush

Original poster
JonathanCampell · 30/05/2015 22:16

Is it bad even thinking of the bed or stairs is making me queasy? Blush All of these other experiences, you all deserve medals for trooping through them.

With us it was the fact that he was sitting up and the suddenly pushed himself backwards! The exact same thing happened a month ago so my wife was convinced she'd done something terrible and was in tears telling me.

OP posts:
WellErrr · 30/05/2015 22:20

Mine did that once a day before she started crawling.

It is totally usual and normal for babies to topple about as they're learning to move around.

I once had a conversation with my hv about this and she said the children that she worries about are the ones with no bruises on their legs as they're clearly not playing out enough Grin

Your dc will have many more tumbles, but they are designed to be resilient for this very reason. It is normal.

However, any time you are worried, there are trained professionals either in the hospital or on the phone 24/7 to help/reassure you. So try not to worry Flowers

Original poster
JonathanCampell · 30/05/2015 22:20

I should also add he's still active in his sleep, rolling around, turning on his side. My wife picked him up and bounced him slightly, he opened his eyes then automatically closed them but I assume this is general tirdness.

Once she put him down he stretched and rolled onto his side as he normally does. I take it this is a good sign or no sign of drowsiness?

OP posts:
IndecisionCentral · 30/05/2015 22:27

All sounds fine now. Go to sleep if you can.

Pushing themselves backwards is normal. Happens when you're carrying them too nearly dropped DS the first time he did it.

He's a lucky boy growing up surrounded by so much love and care.

KittyVonCatsworth · 30/05/2015 22:29

They freak the crap out of you JC, and don't think it ever ends! My misdemeanours being when 3 weeks old I left her outside of the post office (forgot her until I got home thinking I'd forgotten something), having a crafty cigarette outside when she was 3 and she ran outside hand straight into my cigarette (delighted in telling people mummy burned her with a ciggie), cut her had when she fell on a ceramic mug by bringing it into the kitchen 'to be helpful to mummy when washing up', god, the list...you sound like awesome parents and its easy to say chill, but honestly, it won't be the first or the last unfortunetly! Be assured, I've heard the 2nd is easier Wink

IndecisionCentral · 30/05/2015 22:30

If it would help your DW, she could always camp in the babies room overnight. I always sleep in with my dc if they're poorly as I feel much more connected with them and that I'd know if they weren't well overnight.

Not suggesting it's necessary at all, truly don't think it is, but it's what gives me peace of mind when mine are ill.

WellErrr · 30/05/2015 22:32

Stretching is a good sign :)

Gunpowder · 30/05/2015 22:32

I think he sounds fine too. Although hcp always seem happy to see young DC, especially babies, so I wouldn't ever worry about getting advice if concerned.

I did a first aid course run by a paeds A&E nurse when DD1 was a similar age, it made me feel more confident about when to seek help. Might be worth looking into. Smile

Catsize · 30/05/2015 22:40

Your wife is right about the not crying thing. However, I think that relates to worse falls. My 3yr old left the stair gate open and my 1yr old fell down the stairs. Thankfully, there is a bit of a landing half way. That she cried immediately was seen as a good thing.
In your case, he may not have actually hurt himself that much. My DD (15m) is going through a headbutting phase and doesn't cry when she headbutts things but seems to do it really hard.
Children really do seem to bounce rather well.
And when they do fall, they often seem to cry from the shock rather than actual pain. They can often be quite easily distracted after falling from a bed for example.
You both sound lovely. But you are right - greater challenges are ahead! Wink

Mia1415 · 30/05/2015 22:53

From what you've said I wouldn't worry. My DS has hit his head many times & has been fine. They are far stronger than we realise. Try not to worry & just keep an eye

drbonnieblossman · 30/05/2015 23:07

Another saying don't worry, baby's fine.

Actually OP, aside from the baby worry you have succeeded in a unanimous sea of responses. A rarity!

My DC fell backwards off the bed. It was awful, but he was absolutely fine. Then another DC fell off the sofa, landed oddly and broke a bone. Off to hospital both times thinking the professionals will think the worst but on both occasions fantastically reassuring and not a bit judgmental.

Babies are quite bouncy. As they get bigger they get less bouncy but a little wiser. When they do something they've been warned not to do for their safety, and it hurts, they usually try no to repeat it.

Please please don't worry. Although I understand you naturally will. As your baby gets tougher, so will you and your wife.

crazyoldfish · 30/05/2015 23:33

Honestly I love your post. I have a 5 year old and a 19 month old. I promise both have had more bangs to the head than you can count. The 19 month old is currently sporting 2 lovely forehead bruises and God knows how many are hidden under his hair. My dd was the same and she is a now a happy healthy head bruise free 5 year old

DartmoorDoughnut · 31/05/2015 07:24

Oh bless you! Hope you both managed to get some sleep Flowers my almost 9 month old has been crawling for about a month or two now and he now pulls himself up to stand too, honestly my sprint reaction times are getting impressive!

WellErrr · 31/05/2015 07:34

How are you all this morning OP?

AuditAngel · 31/05/2015 07:46

One of the few things my 3 have managed to worry me over was when DD2 cartwheeled down the stairs. However I have to confess i can't quite remember how old she was. Maybe 15 months as she didn't walk until 13 months.

Good luck, but I agree, 2 things get me to go to the child (rather than making them come to me) which are blood gushing and a Big Bang followed by silence. You just need to get used to what constitutes a Big Bang Grin