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Children's health

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I accidentally trapped my 1 year old's fingertips in a door

9 replies

Petrajayne26 · 22/05/2019 10:03

I feel very awful, guilty and depressed over this. On Monday I let my son out of his safety pen to play. We live in a ground floor flat so all the rooms are in the hallway. I usually shut the doors in the hallway however I forgot to close his bedroom door he followed me out the living room went in his room I took him out his bedroom and he walked back towards the living room I was about to close the door to his room an old stroller I had folded againest the wall collapsed into the door as I was closing it foam puzzle mats collapsed with the stroller blocking the door off i try shoving everything back in the room stroller was still blocking the door I pushed it in and quickly shut the door with force and then I hear my son screaming I turn round and see his finger tips trapped in between the hinges of the door. The door ripped a nail off completey 2 of his fingers were bleeding my husband was getting ready to go to work he came rushing in we panicked took our son to a & e. He has a fracture in the ring of his finger. His hand is bandaged he is taking antibiotics and we are taking him to an outpatient appointment tomorrow. My son is generally fine in himself he is playing normally and being a happy child despite what has happened. However I can't stop replaying what happened in my mind. I am crying constantly over this. Seeing his little hand bandaged is heartbreaking. I am constantly saying sorry to my son whenever he hugs me. Feel so awful. Has anyone had a simular accident? Does anyone know how long it will take for a finger nail to grow back and how long his hand might take to heal? Will a health visitor have to come out to our home now that my son has had his first and a & e visit? A health visitor was supposed to come to our home tomorrow to do a growing skills assessment but had to phone and cancel because of my son's outpatient appointment. They didn't ask why I cancelled they just said we will arrange an appointment in June we have ordered hinge door guards from ebay to stop his fingers getting trapped again. We are also suppose to go on holiday in 2 weeks but might cancel. It was suppose to be his first trip to the beach he also has a christening near the end of July. He goes to play in ball pits on my husband's day off work but don't want other children bumping into his hand. Feel terrible knowing these things might have to be put on hold but I want my son's hand to fully recover. I feel I will never forgive myself. Sad

OP posts:
Seeline · 22/05/2019 10:07

It was an accident! Yes you will feel guilty - it's part of being a Mum. I am sure we have all trapped our DCs fingers in a door at some point (I know I did, although luckily no real damage). Don't be so hard on yourself.
I doubt the Health Visitor will come as a result of your A&E trip. Both my DCs have been to A&E numerous times, and I have never had any follow-up interest from anyone.
Little ones recover incredibly quickly. I doubt there is need to cancel your holiday, but seek advice at your outpatients appointment.

Wildboar · 22/05/2019 10:07

Firstly calm down and take a deep breath! You are one of many many parents who have done something similar. It was an accident and these things happen. He’s having it seen to which is great.

There’s no need to cancel your holiday, he can go with his bandage on and might even be off by then. Even if it’s not water proof covers can be brought if you think it might get wet.

Also stop showing such massive guilt around him. They pick up your unease and can be unsettling. Draw a line over it and have fun with him like normal.

Petrajayne26 · 23/05/2019 23:02

Thanks for your replies and advice. Took him to his outpatient appointment. The nearest children's hospital is a half hour drive away from where we live the doctor there said his finger nail should grow back in about 3 months he can stop taking antibiotics after tomorrow and to go to my local doctors surgery once a week to get his fingers examined and bandages changed. Doors in our home now have door hinge guards. Really praying a speedy recovery for him. Doing my best to just carry on everyday as normal.

OP posts:
Spanielmadness · 23/05/2019 23:12

I shut my dogs tail in the car door. I felt so awful as he was making a terrible fuss and noise and I told him off thinking he had seen a cat. When I realised, I opened the door and the poor thing had wee’d everywhere in pain.
I know a dog is not the same as a child, but it’s a terrible accident you feel guilty for but try not to blame yourself.

AuditAngel · 23/05/2019 23:28

It happens, accidents happen. He won’t remember, you will.

jollyohh · 24/05/2019 07:24

It happens. I hurt my ds' toe once opening the door and his little toes got stuck underneath. Bled loads. I felt awful but they healed really quickly and he was fine. Little fingers and toes are easily injured when they are little.

Call the health visitor to talk about it if that would help. Sometimes it's good to debrief with someone if it's bothering you.

Scrumptiousbears · 24/05/2019 07:37

My DP did this to our DD at around 2.5 years. She had to have an op to repair the nail bed. He felt terrible but such is life. Learn from it and move on. Accidents happen and I'm sure it won't be the last.

Sux2buthen · 24/05/2019 07:45

Thankyou for showing me that hinge guards exist. We have one door in particular that our kids are determined to jam their fingers into.
This is a really common thing that happens op, I'm sorry you're feeling so crappy, I know exactly what you mean!

giddyyup · 24/05/2019 08:04

Oh no. Been there. Blood, tears, extreme guilt.

He's six now and doesn't remember so although traumatic at the time it won't scar for life.

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