1 year old fell down stairs

[Josie747373]

My 13 month old fell down our full flight of stairs a couple of hours ago :( I had just popped downstairs with her to get cleaning things as she’d been sick on the carpet (before the fall) and then we came back upstairs and I stupidly left the stair gate open then had my head down while I cleaned the sick. As I lifted my head i see that she’s standing at the top of the stairs and I know I’m too far away to reach her in time …she steps forward and does this horrible slow motion tumble all the way down. She shouted out as she hit the wood floor (stairs are carpet but it’s wood at the bottom) but apart from the shout she didn’t cry and somehow there’s not a mark on her, unless she bruises tomorrow.

she seems totally fine and was playing and laughing etc before bed. I feel awful I always nag husband to close the stair gate and it was me! I honestly thought she would be dead / seriously injured by the time she reached the bottom I can’t stop picturing it.

do I need to get her checked out anyway if she seems fine? I’ve googled the symptoms of concussion to keep an eye on it…

My ds practically cartwheeled down the stairs as a toddler. He was fine!

I would prob get her checked out.

As a first aider in a high risk sport, that's considered a big fall compared to the size of her.

Your one year old has fallen down an entire flight of stairs and hit the wooden floor at the bottom and you’re not already at A&E? Or at least on the phone to 111?

Top to bottom fall needs checking out in A&E. 111 will send you there anyway.

She definitely needs to get checked out. X

They say babies bounce for reason. My child fell down the stairs twice, my uncle when he was a baby fell out a an upstairs bedroom room window, both lived to tell the tale.

I doubt A&E will do anything, there’s nothing concerning in what you have written.

If it was a couple of hours ago and she didn't hit her head. I'd say she was fine. Maby keep a close eye on her for the next 24hrs. I learned the hard way that toddlers are made of rubber. My 14 month old fell down the stairs and dislocated her shoulder. We were sent to A&E for that, but she popped it back in herself and was fine within an hour of arriving. By the time we'd seen the doctors, she was up playing and climbing everything like it never even happened.

I think I’m generally pretty laid back about bumped heads but a whole flight of stairs would give me pause, especially as she’s already vomited so assuming she has a bug that means you might not be able to look for signs of head injury such as vomiting as easily. Personally I’d be at a&e. Also, delayed presentation at a&e for this kind of thing is a massive safeguarding red flag so you are probably better off going sooner rather than later.

I agree she’s probably fine but take her to A&E to be checked over anyway.

I would get her checked out to be on the safe side. Is there a Minor Injuries Unit near you?

Both of mine had similar falls and were fine - now 9 and 12!

Of course get her checked out.

My 15mo has fallen down the stairs twice in her lifetime... not something I am proud of 😢... but both times she has been fine and it wouldn't have occurred to me to take her to A & E! Maybe call 111 and take it from there but I feel that A&E is a bit extreme in my opinion. Maybe I'm just a bit too laid back 🤷🏼‍♀️
Like you, it was a kind of slow-motion tumble. Horrible though, isn't it :(

I’m usually on the side that they are bouncy but a fall like that onto a wooden floor needs checking out. I would also be concerned that she didn’t cry tbh.

If she seems fine - and presumably you've had a good look and feel over her - then stay at home.

You'd be wasting everyone's time in a&e - you've said she's ok.

She's ok, thank goodness. Lesson learned re the stairgate, but in reality you can't prevent every accident (which is why my dc3 has a bruise on one side of his head, a slightly black eye and a cut with bruise on his knee - he's going through a running everywhere and falling phase🤷)

Happened to my daughter, went to A&E as she threw up after (turns out it was some dodgy food we ate) and we were just given a pamphlet to watch out for concussion signs. You’re not alone

No harm ringing 111... but there is potential harm in doing nothing

Babies are said to bounce because they're not expecting to fall so don't tense up. It's the tensing up that's adults downfall apparently. You know your bairn and it doesn't sound as if any harms been done.

Give her a poke by all means to check responsiveness and see where the land lies tomorrow but from what you've said I wouldn't be rushing to a&e on a Saturday night.

Phone to have her checked over if anything for peace of mind.

Please tell us you’ve sought medical advice now?

Surely they would only do obs and look at her looking normal and send her home? Seems a bit overboard if she is well and acting normal.

With any head injury, especially if they don't cry immediately at this age, it is always wise to have them checked out.

Omg no advice but feel so bad for you and your DD. Hope you are both ok ♥️

I personally would have got them checked out. My LO fell head first off her changing table at 9mo. I consoled her and she seemed okay but phoned 111, as it was head first, by which time she was trying to climb her bookcase. They sent us to a&e. All was fine - just look out for signs of concussion. They said the first 4 hours are critical - look for blood or fluid from ears and or nose. Concussion needs to be monitored for 48hrs and look out for changes in the child’s behaviour.

We’ve done nappy changes on the floor since!

Exactly.