I would be extremely grateful for advice. Is this lack of confidence normal post fall?
DH put 8 month DS in bouncer on top of kitchen unit yesterday and did not do up straps. (I know....I don't know what to say)
I was preparing lunch, was by the sink, slightly away from DS, happened to look around, and saw DS already out of bouncer chair and heading down to floor. I screamed and made a lunge to catch him.
I can't remember what happened next as it was such a shocking blur, but my left ring finger made contact with the floor, and I assume cushioned ?some? of the impact between DS head and floor. Nevertheless, DS on floor and thwacked back of head on wooden floor. How hard I just don't know. I was so in shock.
I scooped him up immediately and he screamed. I then put ice on the back of his head while he screamed for the next few mins.
He was not unconscious, nor sick, but screamed. We were all in total shock.
Decided to go to hospital A&E - on the way there, he was very drowsy in the car (not naptime, and he'd had a good nap in the morning).
A&E triage nurse took temp, pulse and we were then seen by consultant who said to monitor, keep to usual routine but essentially that he did not think anything more serious.
Once home, DS had milk, was not crying, but very, very unusually clingy. Not normally clingy at all. Bed at normal time and we then woke every 2 hrs to check still ok.
This morning, he has had milk and breakfast as normal but is still very subdued and clingy. He's playing and doing tummy time (as normal), but doesn't seem as go getting as usual.
Prior to fall, he loved doing 'standy uppies' where DH and I would hold him up and let him 'stand up'. Today, he is very reluctant to do that and really seems to have lost his confidence. He just seems a bit quieter than usual and is very shaky on his legs when I try to do that.
Is this loss of confidence and subdued behaviour normal after a fall?
Should I be looking for any delayed impact of the fall? How do I know it wasn't more serious?
Apologies for questions; first time mum and feel very guilty for not protecting DS.