Slipped and fell with DS in sling :(

[OccasionalNachos]

Rainy day today, but needed to go somewhere less than 5 mins walk away and the pushchair would have been awkward at our destination. Water has been flowing over the footpath from a steep garden down the road and has clearly made it slippery underfoot. My leg skidded forward and I fell on my bum/side. DS was screaming in shock but no marks on him, my hands flew up to cradle his head and he was wet on his leg and cardigan, but he didn’t hit his head. Was distracted after a few minutes but started full-on sobbing again when we got to our destination. He might have been hungry or tired - I’d expected him to nod off for 20 mins in the sling, really. But he was really upset.

I feel so stupid. We were going to go hill-walking at the weekend and I was so looking forward to it, he loves being forward facing in the sling. He’s nearly 7months.

I don’t know what I’m asking here, really.

I am a generally resilient and chilled person but I’ve been sobbing for an hour now.

You poor thing! Falling when adult is a bad enough shock, but with a baby In a sling or in your arms must be really upsetting. However, you are both OK, keep reminding yourself. Whatever might have happened did not.

You’re much less likely to slip with your proper walking boots on. And how about getting walking poles (or just one pole) to give you extra steadiness. I used to have problems with vertigo when walking but poles have really helped my confidence (and my ancient knees...) 💐

I fell and dropped my daughter at that age. It’s horrible. If he didn’t bump his head and has no bruises he’s probably fine. He may well have been crying as he picked up on your upset/anxiety rather than because he was hurt. My daughter howled but I think it was mostly because I was howling!

I’m so sorry this happened to you, hope you’re ok too (I ended up with whiplash!) Why not phone 111 if you’re still worried?

Aww no! What a fright! I second that you should still[flowers go. You'll be more prepared and poles sound like a good idea if you can get some.

i,ve always thought they are inherently hazardous for this very reason.
never saw them when i was young.
it may be a remote risk. but there is the worry
glad it wasn't worse. both parties just a little shook up.

I slipped on the stairs with mine when he was a similar age. I managed to hold him so that he never got hurt, but in doing so I really hurt my cocyx, middle of my back and the back of my head (my slipper slid on the end of the step so I basically flew up and back like the caricature of a man slipping on a banana peel and landed on my back on the stairs). My DH had to come back from work as I was in a right state.
So you can fall without a sling quite easily. If he was in a sling I’d have probably been able to grab the sidenand minimised my impact. But because I was holding him I had to make sure I didn’t drop him!

If you are hillwalking, then I recommend one of the specialist carriers (google little life or osprey). They're much more sturdy than slings - and give more protection to the child/baby if you do slip or fall. Can be used from 6 months. Not completely safe still but definitely worth looking at
Poles is a good option as well. I did use a sling hillwalking (before 6 months, and then again when they were starting to get too big for carrier but wouldn't walk far, or wanted to walk a bit) but definitely appreciated the child carrier for most of the time.

We do have walking poles, I probably wouldn’t have bothered as it’s a very small, easy hill (I’ve run up and down it at night with a head torch, in the distant past...) but I think that is a good idea.

@alexdgr8 I really enjoy using the sling, before I was pregnant I did think they seemed a bit unsafe in case of a fall, but we’ve used it loads with no problem. Usually forward facing now but I had him cradled into me when I fell because I wanted him to settle and go to sleep!

Thank you, it helps to hear other stories of daft accidents, somehow! Glad I’m not the only one, although I’m so embarrassed and annoyed. I’ve grazed my thigh too, only noticed once the adrenaline wore off.

@alexdgr8

i,ve always thought they are inherently hazardous for this very reason. never saw them when i was young. it may be a remote risk. but there is the worry glad it wasn't worse. both parties just a little shook up.

Where do you stand on getting in a car?

Sorry you had a shock OP, he’s probably fine but echo poster saying get checked if you’re worried

One of my mum’s favourite stories is when she slipped and fell with me in a sling, but I was pretty hidden inside her parka, and when she got up everyone around was horrified she nearly squashed me. I’m fine btw :) it happens a lot even 35 years ago.

If your sling allows it I'd try a back carry. They're much more stable and comfortable as they get bigger. Forward facing slings are really bad for supporting their hips so not great for longer periods. We use connecta carriers and at 3 are still comfy on our backs. The hiking backpacks hold them further from your back so I found them less stable.

@JC12345 I want to try a back carry quite soon, I’d assumed DS was too young or small to do that safely. I had lots of good intentions to go to a sling library when he was born, but lockdown put a stop to that. We do have a structured carrier that can be used for a back carry, I’ll see what the age and weight requirements are.

There are some sling libraries that do online consultations so that might be helpful. I think once they're over six months and have good head control then a back carry is fine. Good luck.

Forward facing slings are really bad for supporting their hips

I don't think that's true of all of them - the Ergobaby slings are very good for example.

Hope you're okay OP