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Original poster

Urgent advice - Baby fell onto tiled floor

159 replies

Temphelp · 04/09/2019 09:07

I don’t know if I’m supposed to ring 111 or my GP or anyone, I’ve just been calming my child down and I’m so scared she’s hurt herself but trying to think straight and thought maybe someone could just direct me here

My 1.5 year old fell onto a tiled floor from a kitchen countertop (I had my back turned for literally a few seconds in which she managed to climb a sofa and onto the kitchen top and slipped, it wasn’t too high but at least 3 feet I think) it is not our house so it’s not exactly baby safe

She fell on one arm and one side of her face, instantly cried, I picked her up and calmed her down and she’s stopped crying. I checked for bumps, bruises, everything but she looks okay but I don’t know what to do now

Should I go get her checked immediately in case she broke her arm or something (praying this is not the case but I’m just so scared and In shock right now I can’t forget the image of her just lying on the floor in front of me)

I feel like a terrible mother for not catching her in time and my heart is stuck in my throat. Please advise me on my next steps what should I do????

OP posts:
Workingisntworking · 04/09/2019 10:05

Ah op, it's such a shock when they hurt themselves isn't it. I have 3 dc and I'm a very very cautious parent but mine have still managed to have falls or hurt themselves. Don't beat yourself up about it or listen to the perfect parents giving you a hard time. It happens so easily.

Personally if there was no signs of an injury and dc seems okay in herself I would just take a wait and see approach. I wouldn't be ringing 111 and definitely not 999. Do the people who are saying 999 actually have children!? What a ridiculous over reaction. Goodness me if we all called 999 when there were no obvious signs of injury our health system would collapse.

I would see how she goes. If she doesn't seem right I would take her to A&E to get checked over but if there seems to be no injuries then I wouldn't.

Hope you are okay op

Juells · 04/09/2019 10:05

U2HasTheEdge

No, OP doesn't need to beat herself up about it. I am pretty sure most parents have a story to tell about their child hurting themselves which could have been prevented in hindsight.

...and they beat themselves up about it and make sure they're more vigilant from then on.

Why does everyone claim that this is a minor thing? How do you know what else was on the counter top that could have injured a toddler? Some parents seem to be oblivious to very obvious dangers.

thunderandsunshine01 · 04/09/2019 10:07

People telling you to get off mumsnet and phone 999 Hmm

Kid seems fine with no obvious signs of injury so 999 is a massive overreaction. Just take her to your local minor injury unit for them to assess. When my daughter was 1.5 she fell funny on a trampoline and I left it because she seemed fine and wasn’t in any continuous pain or crying... bruise cropped up 2 days later and turns out she had broken her arm. Act on the side of caution and take her to a walk in just to cover all bases.

Lulualla · 04/09/2019 10:09

@Lillygolightly

What do you mean tears from you both? Where you actually crying?

Why do people do that? It doesn't help the situation. It makes your child even more upset, which makes it even harder to calm them down and to what needs to be done. And it makes the job of the medical staff harder having to deal with a crying child (fair enough) and a blubbering parent (ridiculous). If you're child is actually seriously wounded and very obviously in serious danger then you'd cry, but for something routine like an x-ray for an injury where to worst possible outcome is a broken bone, why where you crying? It's not something to cry about. It's pile parents who cry when their kids veg their jabs or need blood taken. It just makes it worse for the child because if mummy is crying then it must be really bad and they will meltdown.

Asta19 · 04/09/2019 10:10

When my DD was 5 she fell about the same distance onto a carpeted floor. After the initial shock, she was perfectly happy, not in pain etc. My next door neighbour happened to be a nurse so I got her to have a look at her and she advised me to take her to hospital. It was good I did as she'd broken her arm! Always best to get these things checked out.

grumiosmum · 04/09/2019 10:11

DS did this when he was a bit younger (9 months) and we were on holiday in Italy.

I freaked out, but luckily we had an ex-nurse staying with us too who told me not to worry, and what to watch out for.

He was absolutely fine.

SheSaidNoFuckThat · 04/09/2019 10:13

Get her checked, my son broke his wrist in 2 places, wasn't in a lot of pain and still had movement, we took him a&e as it started to swell

FrancisCrawford · 04/09/2019 10:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WorraLiberty · 04/09/2019 10:16

There's no point in any parent beating themselves up in that situation.

The most important thing is that they learn from it and I'm sure the OP will.

Coconutsandcobbles · 04/09/2019 10:21

Lots of parents don't know what to do in this situation, especially when they're worried. She's come here because she cares, is worried and wants to do the right thing for her daughter. Sounds like a good mum to me. Not sure why people feel need to criticise done one for asking on mumsnet. Least she's asking!

InsertFunnyUsername · 04/09/2019 10:26

Ffs now parents are criticised for being upset when the child is in hospital.

People panic simple as that, no one can be in control all the time. Give em a break.

chesterdraws1 · 04/09/2019 10:28

999?? Don't be absurd

Timtamtom · 04/09/2019 10:33

What do you mean tears from you both? Where you actually crying?

Why do people do that? It doesn't help the situation

Don’t be so nasty. People don’t have to be in control of their emotions all the time. OP is a human being

Scoobydoobywho · 04/09/2019 10:39

Take your dc to a and e even if it's just for your peace of mind. My 3 year old fell off a dining chair which then landed on his leg, he stopped crying after 5 minutes but wouldn't use his leg. After 3 trips to have xrays it turned out he had broken his leg.

Unreasonable123 · 04/09/2019 10:48

Who writes on Mumsnet instead of calling 111!

What is wrong with people! Your phone was next to you. Dial 111 or even your GP instead of your not sure.

WinterWillow · 04/09/2019 10:48

@Temphelp this happened with my son when he was around the same age. We rushed to A&E to check but the doctors there were very unconcerned (not in a negative way). The doctors said babies are so flexible they can fall from the top to the bottom of the stairs with not a scratch on them, if your concerned definitely go but if she's stopped crying and seems unharmed I'm sure she will be fine.

ThatCurlyGirl · 04/09/2019 10:53

111 will 100% tell you to take DD to A&E. 100%, so cut out the middle man and get yourself there. PP is right youll jump the queue and she will be seen as quickly as they can as a priority.

Please don't leave it any longer, you said she landed on the side of her face and head injuries can have delayed consequences.

Let us know how you get on if you are able to Thanks

Original poster
Temphelp · 04/09/2019 10:55

Just an update...

Child is acting perfectly normally (thank goodness) - eating, drinking, playing, using her limbs normally and behaving like her usual self. She’s currently having a lollipop (just wanted to see if she’d be easily distracted or if she was in pain etc) and relaxing with her dad.

I rang 111 and answered some questions. They seemed unconcerned but said to wait for a paramedic to ring me back with advice (which I’m assuming also means they’re not too worried as they’ve not asked me to take urgent action...)

Just waiting for the callback (it’s been a while) but thankfully child isn’t behaving abnormally so I’m a little calmer. She’s currently annoying the poor cat!

OP posts:
Original poster
Temphelp · 04/09/2019 10:57

Some very strange comments but I can understand everyone handles shock/situations differently. Thank you as always for the kind comments, honestly they do make a difference Smile

OP posts:
InsertFunnyUsername · 04/09/2019 11:01

Take no notice Temp

I was more Hmm to the posters suggesting an ambulance for a child who was awake, aware and seems to be ok, than I was at a parent being in a panic asking other parents for advice Grin

PickwickThePlockingDodo · 04/09/2019 11:04

She'll be fine, OP just keep an eye on her.
As for PPs saying what is OP doing on MN, fgs this is what it's for isn't it, Mums helping other Mums? Don't be so bloody horrible Angry

Original poster
Temphelp · 04/09/2019 11:07

Thanks @InsertFunnyUsername

I’ve called an ambulance before (someone fainted on a road) so I do understand when situations are extremely urgent and require immediate action but like you said, my child was alert, awake, not vomiting or bleeding, etc. My first priority was to calm her (and myself) down honestly speaking.

My daughter is only 1.5 but has been in and out of hospitals (due to a non-serious medical issue which requires regular checkups at a young age) so she HATES hospitals and is instantly afraid when we take her to one or anything resembling one.

I’m glad I called 111 but still waiting for their callback so let’s see how that goes. I’ll keep monitoring her though. You can never be too careful Smile

OP posts:
Unreasonable123 · 04/09/2019 11:07

@PickwickThePlockingDodo using Mumsnet instead of calling 111 is not what Mumsnet is for! Get some common sense!

dustarr73 · 04/09/2019 11:10

We all have been there.But the time it took you to write the op and answer some question.You would have been at a&e.

AloeVeraLynn · 04/09/2019 11:12

Honestly I'd just keep an eye on her and take her to A&E if any signs of concern. I have been to a&e multiple times with accident prone middle child and with head bumps doctors were generally not worried and you just spend a few hours sat in the waiting room for any signs of concussion. You may as well do that in the comfort of your own home.
There will always be hysteria here though OP. Glad she seems okay.

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