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Original poster

Baby slipped out of pushchair - feel awful

16 replies

Star39 · 04/07/2019 20:59

Hi all
Today my 10 month old skipped out of her pushchair. She had been crying and agitated so I got her out to carry her. She became heavy and it was so hot that I put her back in her buggy which she was NOT happy about. I stupidly thought that putting the straps on would agitate her further so left them off. Today I had her forward facing and tilted to the highest position so she was upright - she seems to like this position so she can see more. It must have been around 10 minutes later the incident occurred. I changed direction, and next minute she was on the floor. I felt terrible, awful, shocked, upset, and most of all, utterly stupid. I don’t know if I forgot that she wasn’t strapped in or what. She cried for about 2 mins and a kind lady who saw it happened reassured me she hadn’t hit her head. That didn’t make me feel any better. I feel incredibly stupid and irresponsible and I let her down big time. I mean, what if she had fallen into the road??? It was only a few weeks ago she had rolled off the bed. I feel like a sh*t mother. Just can’t believe I let this happen.she had been her usual self since and maybe she was cried out of shock. Do you think I need to get her checked out? Xx

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ThisIsNotAIBUPeople · 04/07/2019 21:07

Firstly, you are not a shit mother, you are a human being doing your best. We all make mistakes and the old cliche is true, as long as you learn from them its OK. So next time, do those straps up no matter what, job done.
Secondly, if you are at all worried about her then by all means get her checked out, but if she seems completely fine in herself then trust your instincts.
Thirdly, when she's safely tucked up in bed have a glass of or some and.

scottishdadofthree · 04/07/2019 21:07

You'll know if she's not herself.

Speaking from experience these things happen. My daughter slid out a high chair in Costa when she was that age and I felt terrible, but kids are pretty resilient. Brush it off and move on

GreenGrowTheRushesOhh · 04/07/2019 21:14

You also know that she didn't hit her head, so I'm sure she's fine. As others said, go with your gut feeling. It sounds like the woman who saw it would have told you very clearly if it had been a nasty fall.

It was an accident, and by the sound of it all's well that ends well.

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Original poster

Star39 · 04/07/2019 21:53

Thankyou all. You are all very kind. I know I just need to forget it and move on but I feel awful - I thought I had all bases covered today. She was smothered in sun cream, had her sun hat on, bought her water bottle with us so she didn’t get dehydrated and something as stupid and carelessness as not putting a strap on led to this. Sometimes I feel as though I am missing something - am I trying too hard that I am
Missing the basics or just not nailing this parenting?
Sorry if I sound like I’m dribbling on about this!

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Wingingthis · 04/07/2019 21:58

Just want to say I did the exact same thing when my daughter was a similar age!! It happens, accidents will happen. The fact you feel so guilty and wrote this post shows you’re not a shit mother. My daughter is now nearly 2 xxx

Original poster

Star39 · 04/07/2019 23:11

@Wingingthis Thankyou for saying that. Did your daughter hurt herself when she fell out? I keep telling myself that it couldn’t have been that far from the bottom of the seat to the floor so more like falling off the bottom of a slide?

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Doryhunky · 04/07/2019 23:24

To make you feel better when dc was about 2 and because I was in a hurry for the first time I did not strap her in. I was rushing, hit a bump and she fell out forwards and I then ran over her with the buggy. She was fine

Wingingthis · 04/07/2019 23:25

No but it was in winter and she was in a very padded snow suit! So just kind of slid down. they say crying is a good sign and you should worry if they aren’t crying (if it looks bad of course). I’m sure she is fine and if anything was wrong she wouldn’t be being herself :)

PlinkPlink · 04/07/2019 23:36

Mine didn't fall out of a pram but he did fall off the bed.
Correction - rolled/fell off the rocker that I had put on top of the bed and then onto the floor. Horrific moment. DS cried so much. Literally thought I was the worst mum in the world.

Looking back I would never have put the rocker on top of the bed but tiredness makes us miss things. Accidents do happen and like PP have said as long as you learn from it.

Don't beat yourself up over it. I know the guilt is massive but try to put it in perspective. Your DD is safe and loved. There will be plenty more bumps and bruises in the not so distant future (DS currently likes headbutting the ground when he hears the word 'no' - plenty of head bruises 😩) and your DD really won't remember it.
Above all, you are doing wonderfully as a mum.

Just for your sanity and her safety, I suggest keeping an eye on her for the next 12 hours or so. That helped me get through my guilt. Any thing you think is worrying you can call 111 or head to A&E.

Pinkmalinky · 05/07/2019 11:51

You’re absolutely not a shit Mother, we all make mistakes sometimes.

When DC1 was a newborn, I lived in a house with three steep stairs before the front door so an absolute nightmare with the pram. I was so sleep deprived I’d forgotten to put the brake on the pram and let go of the handle for a split second while I turned to open the door. Pram went down the stairs and tipped at the bottom. I sobbed my heart out for a good hour, DS didn’t even wake up . He’s nine now as well so I can confirm, no lasting damage.

Mistakes happen, I’m absolutely certain you will never repeat this one. She will be fine.

Original poster

Star39 · 05/07/2019 21:56

Thankyou all for your reassurance and your stories
@PlinkPlink and @Pinkmalinky Thankyou for sharing your stories. I can imagine how you both felt! I know there will be plenty more bumps and bruises but I just feel awful that the incident happened because of my stupidity. I just keep seeing her on the floor looking at me. I just can’t even believe I bought that not strapping her in whilst she was facing outwards was a good idea??? In the middle of a city centre :(

She is her normal self so I just need to put it down to a BAD experience and for sure I will NEVER not strap her in again xx

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autumnboys · 05/07/2019 22:09

Ds2 slithered out of the pram at probably around the same age and not only did I not notice, but I ran him over with the back wheel. He had a tyre mark across his bum. I had walked up to preschool with DS1, ds2 in the pram, and he had fallen asleep. I must have undone the straps to let him roll over when he was in the garden when we got home and forgot to do them back up. I felt awful at the time and it happened in full view of the preschool collection queue. He is 13 now and none the worse for the experience.

Prettypetal85 · 05/07/2019 22:21

Your post totally resonates with me. I was distracted earlier this week texting on my phone with my baby laid across me, taking a break from feeding. I forgot that my phone charger was plugged in next to me and didn’t realise she was playing with it and sticking the end of the charger in her mouth. It was plugged in to the wall still and could have electrocuted her.

I felt like I let her down and couldn't stop thinking about it all day. I felt like the worse mum ever and still feel bad about it.

You need to move on from this and you’ll feel better tomorrow when you wake up to a new day. Be kind to yourself and don’t beat yourself up. Everyone makes mistakes and your baby is absolutely fine- that’s the most important thing xxx

troppibambini · 05/07/2019 22:30

Be kind to yourself I know it's horrible but you're really not a shit mum if you were you wouldn't be beating yourself up about it
My best friend was at the airport with my 6 month old godson and instead of finding a lift she and her husband carried the buggy up a a small flight of stairs (about six) she forgot she hadn't strapped him in and he slide out of the back of the buggy and down the stairs she was absolutely heart broken and almost didn't go on holiday. He is 16 and 6" now and is pretty normal

Original poster

Star39 · 06/07/2019 13:45

@Prettypetal85 that’s exactly how I feel - I can’t stop thinking about it. But yes, I do just need to accept that I am only human and mistakes happen. My husband left our phone charger plugged in and my daughter also got hold of it so I have done that too! Straight away I started baby proofing. I just find it so weird that I can be meticulous about some things (sun cream, what food she eats, what skin products I use on her) and then things like this happen! Xxx

@troppibambini - your poor friend, I know how she feels and just before her holiday as well! Thankyou for your comment - she is absolutely fine but I can’t help but think it could have been worse. Was he ok at the time it happened? Xxxx

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troppibambini · 06/07/2019 17:28

He was fast asleep at the time so the paramedic said because he was relaxed he sort of flopped down the stairs and was absolutely fine although very upset and shocked (understandably!) she gave him a feed and he was happy after that.
I have six dc and along the way they have all almost given me heart failure at some point hope you're feeling a little better today.

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