Help! Dd 12 months fell down the stairs. What should I do?

[raye123]

Stupid stupid stupid me left the stairgate open, as DH was running the bath with dd at his side. I went downstairs to get something and left the gate open - next thing there's the most awful sound of her going down and DH is screaming at me. She cried, but calmed down very quickly. She has bump and graze on her temple, but otherwise seems fine. Now asleep after normal bedtime routine. I on the other hand am still shaking. Do you think she'll be OK? Should I wake her and go to casualty? Any thoughts/advice gratefully received. Feel so terrible.

how soon after the incidnet did u put her to bed?

obviously meant incident

About 40 mins after she fell.

This has happened here a couple of times with DC1 when he was little. Once when he was your DDs age and a bit older when he learned to open the stairgate. I did take him to casualty actually just to set my mind at rest that all was fine - and it was. Was v scary though, poor you.

Have just checked on her and she is asleep as normal.

Maybe call NHS direct to see what they say?

I think if anything serious she would lose conciousness, vomit etc. If she screamed the place down but then seemed normal for a while before bed probably just a bump / bruise. Did you make sure she could move arms and legs etc i normal ways, crawl, cruise walk whatever stage she is at? I don't think she would stay asleep if in pain. Just keep a close eye on her and make sure nothing out of the ordinary tommorow? Poor you, easily done.

id of been inclined to keep her up for a while tbh just to keep an eye on her, go in and give her a gentle nudge just to make sure she stirs

I don't think i've ever been so scared. Love her so much!

aww bless you, its impossable to have eyes in the back of your head, things happen so quickly with the little monsters, go and get yourself a glass of wine or some chocolate

Is she your first? They have a habit of doing this type of thing (at least my boys do!) - it is truly terrifying, but no point dwelling on it too much if you got away with a narrow escape. And obviously you will make sure the stair gate is closed now you know she will try and get through if you leave it open.

Ds fell down the stairs about 2 or 3 times around that age.

He kind of bounced I think, he never had anything that made him cry for more than a minute, no ill effects.

Its possible she might have concussion but I wouldn't worry too much.

She seemed absolutely fine afterwards and walked to the bath as usual. Looked carefully for other bruises (none) and felt her head to see if I'd missed any other lumps.

I would wake her up. Sorry. A friend of DH's fell out of a trolley and seemed fine. Was put to bed shortly afterwards then didnt wake up. Was okay in the end but went unconscious whilst sleeping.

However I do overreact.

Meant to add, when it happened to DS he seemed to go floppy as he fell (natural response maybe) and despite landing on a tiled floor was totally fine. I, on the other hand, was crying for ages.

Whenever I have taken him to casualty if he has fallen or something, they usually say to check ion them through the night and try and semi wake them for response.

I think you can tell the difference between a sleeping and an unconcious child by watching and listening for a while without waking can't you?

yes maybe a gentle prod to check she moves or flinches in her sleep would do it.

the bestw ay barb is to give them a gentle nudge or tickle their hand etc, if they respond then all is fine

Just gave her a nudge and she rolled over, so i am able to rouse her. I will def keep checking on her and i have the monitor up at full volume so I can hear her. At least being a slutty housewife meant that there were a load of bags at the bottom of the stairs to break her fall.

Yes, have never done the waking thing myself. Just that's what I was told. Usually checked they were breathing and moving a tiny bit.

lololololol raye, that made me spit me wine haha, glad shes ok

Also checked her pupils were "equal and reactive" before she went to bed!

All those episodes of Casualty/ER/Grey's Anatomy have their uses!
Thanks everyone - have calmed down a bit now. Glad i'm not the only one this has happened to.

Raye 123 - my dd is 3 and today she also rolled from top stair all the way to the bottom. We have a wooden floor at the bottom and a wooden table and she has bashed her forehead on the bar of the table .It was very horrible - i felt really guilty because my hands were full taking mirror and hairdryer upstairs and i couldnt drop them in case they smashed down the stairs on top of her so I couldnt grab her in time. Have spent all day thinking, 'what if?' and will be in and out her room all night. She has a bruise like a little line on her forhead. The advantage of her being older tho is I can ask her where it hurts and if anywhere else hurts.Took her to a nurse who said she was fine. It is it seems.Very upsetting though. She is having a dance class photograph taken tomorrow, so of course she had to do something to make her look like a mistreated child - it is the law when it comes to official photos and my children it seems. I truly hope your little one will be ok tomorrow - apparently they 'bounce well' at this age I have heard from the nurse!!