Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

The most frightening thing has just happened with my DS - minor suffocation!

14 replies

thisxgirl · 10/11/2009 11:06

I can't stop crying, it was so frightening. I'm thinking I need to make a doctor appointment to be on the safe side.

He woke to be fed at 7.30am and about an hour and a half later, was falling asleep again. I put him down in his crib and went downstairs. When I came back upstairs to check him twenty minutes later I could see his arm waving in the air as I approached. When I got to him, his face was smushed into the bumper...it looked like he had been tugging at it because it had come away and he was sort of tangled in it. I pulled him out and his lips were starting to turn to blue, he was pale and his back was sweaty...he was breathing. I held him near an open window for fresh air, opened up his sleepsuit and soothed him, although he wasn't upset - he seemed a bit stunned and was breathing heavily (he also has his first mild cold at the moment). He did shake a little and then regained his colour and just seemed sleepy.

I kept him awake because I was scared and then he was as smiley and responsive and alert as usual after about ten minutes. He seems absolutely fine now but I'm terrified his temporary lack of oxygen has caused some minor brain damage...how will I know? How would a doctor know? I'd never forgive myself if that was so.

I've removed the bumpers and will get some mesh ones or something.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
thisxgirl · 10/11/2009 11:12

Sorry, forgot to say my DS is 3 and a half months old.

OP posts:
AvengingGerbil · 10/11/2009 11:14

Call the doctor. You need reassurance if nothing else.

AddictedtoCrunchies · 10/11/2009 11:15

Call the doc or NHS direct. 0845 46 47.

trace2 · 10/11/2009 11:15

thank god hes ok, poor you and ds!

Aubergines · 10/11/2009 11:17

Poor you. Thank God you went to look at him. I would get medical reassurance although I very much doubt you need to worry about brain damage.

I don't think bumpers are recommended anymore. I was told they are a SIDS risk. I would not bother with replacements.

Sooty7 · 10/11/2009 14:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

thisxgirl · 10/11/2009 14:44

Thank you for the NHS Direct advice - forgot all about them - they were impressively helpful when I rang. They think it's unlikely he actually stopped breathing because when I found him he was breathing...when a baby stops breathing they usually need help to resuscitate. The nurse said it sounds like a "near miss"...can't even contemplate the alternative.

She advised getting him a GP appointment just to be sure but I can't get an appointment until tomorrow so I'm just watching him constantly...worried sick he's pale or sleeping too long. He did have a big feed, though, so that's a good sign.

OP posts:
thisxgirl · 10/11/2009 14:46

Sooty7, I think that's exactly what happened...why are they even on the market?

I can't believe I could have lost my baby because I hadn't read/heard that bumpers were bad news...goes off to find her baby book.

OP posts:
QandA · 10/11/2009 15:01

Phone the doctors back and tell them you need an appointment today on the advice of NHS direct.

So glad for you that everything is ok. You will need a stiff drink tonight!

Seona1973 · 10/11/2009 15:42

The sids website says they have neither good or bad effects so dont feel you did anything wrong by using them. I never felt the need for them so didnt buy any.

from sids website:

In the past, there were concerns that bumpers might make babies too hot, increasing the risk of cot death. However, research has shown that they have neither good nor bad effects. Take it out when your baby can get up on her hands and knees so she can?t climb out. Make sure there are no trailing strings or ties.

labyrinthine · 10/11/2009 22:18

Don't get too upset and over the top about it ~ seriously ~ if he was conscious[and he was cos his arm was waving]he did not have a very low oxygen and cannot be brain damaged.

Think about it ~ even a faint makes you pass out and that is harmless.

Honestly you haven't done anything wrong and he'll be fine.

TBMOM · 10/11/2009 22:24

How scary for you, I very much doubt any damage was done though but it sounds like you need some reassurance so seeing the GP would help.

I just don't get cot bumpers- if the advice is to put baby to sleep feet to foot then what is the point of them? They are just there to look pretty and line the pockets of the manufacturers. Bloody dangerous too.

edam · 10/11/2009 22:33

Oh thisxgirl, must have been terrifying.

Agree about the bumpers, waste of bloody money and dangerous to boot.

narmada · 15/11/2009 23:22

God, how awful for you. I started to sweat just reading this, glad your little one is OK. How about a movement sensor that goes under the mattress? Like a baby monitor with added oomph. We had one for our DD and I really rated it. Although some feel they are no good/ just cause more worry/ offer false sense of security.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread