Social services after newborn headbump - panicking

[TeaMum91]

Hi all, first post so sorry if I'm doing everything wrong!

This morning at 5am when i was putting my 6 week old back in the next to me crib i misjudged distance and he flung his head back just in time to bump it on the hard corner of the top of the crib. He cried for less than a minute before soothing and we fed him. However I was obviously shaken and really worried so we decided to call 111 just in case. The person on 111 and then the call back person both said just to watch him, there's no bump or mark or any sign of lasting distress at all.

About an hour ago we received a call from social services asking about the accident and wanting photographs of the crib where I bumped him.

In my panic this morning i read every thread here i could find about head bumps to newborns and i didn't see anyone mention social services, especially as we didn't go to a+e and the 111 people seemed really content that he was fine (more content than me). Is a social services call like that normal in these cases? I'm feeling so awful and shaken.

I'm worried I'm on some sort of list. Baby had to go to a+e on day 5 for weightloss because my milk never came in and he basically starved, I'd told midwives and hvs everyday about my concerns, and even went to the gp on day 4, but it felt like nothing was done until it became such a huge thing and now i feel like i have some sort of track record.

The important thing is to comply and send the photos. Whilst this was an accident, it isn't with all babies and of course their parents lie to cover it up. So they're doing due diligence.

Take a moment and breathe. You’re fine, your baby is fine and SS are just doing their job. They’re checking (as everyone would want them to do) on a reported accidental head injury of a non mobile baby. You’ve not got ‘a track record’. You did exactly the right thing in seeking medical advice straight away. They’re just looking to add some detail that will confirm they checked it out and it was a minor accident.

There isn't a list, this will be routine because it's an injury ( even though very minor!) to a non mobile baby. I doubt it's connected to the feeding issues at all. Try not to worry, just be open and work with them.
Babies are wriggly little things, all 3 of mine had bumps at some point!

Your child's details have been shared without your consent. For anyone in nhs 111 to share your child's details they need your informed consent.
You need to know what details they are sharing and why. They have breached your trust and you have a right to complain.

111 gave you advice because you telephoned them. You are not showing any neglect because you reached out to them. If there was a delay in reaching medical treatment from your end (you waited a day to ring etc) then that shows neglect.

If you followed their advice, watch baby etc you are doing the right thing. Though this could be a call from social care because of their negligence by giving you the wrong advice.

Ring your GP and state you need to bring your baby in to be checked over. If they have no appointments, say you will sit in the waiting room until one becomes available. This will mean that someone has checked over your baby physically.

If your baby is showing any signs of change in behaviour, bruising or response. Take them to a&e. I think you have been taken advantage of when you were extremely vulnerable (tired and new mum).

You did nothing wrong. Accidents happen.

Thanks all. I sent the pictures straight away. Social services have asked us to go to the gp so we're heading there shortly.

It seems what has happened is the original 111 call was noted wrong, they seem to have recorded that he had a head bump (rather than bumped his head) even though we confirmed multiple times in the call that there was no bump, mark or swelling - we were the ones worried! And the 111 call back hasn't passed their notes on. So as far as social care is concerned I'm changing my story and could be lying about what advice I received.

I swear if there is a stupid hole of healthcare miscommunication to fall down, I always end up there.

I'm a social worker. My son fell down the stairs when he was about 14 months old. Thankfully he was still crawling so I don't think it was as bad as it could have been.

We called an ambulance as I didn't see him fall and didn't know if he had bumped his head.

A few days later I got a phone call from a social worker asking to explain what happened (a miscommunication between my husband and I) and if we felt we needed any support.

My understanding is a head injury like that is reported but it probably depends on your individual council (and what happened) if they call or not.

This is what I was going to say
Please try not to panic
Accidents happen and you did the right thing by can contacting 111
Social services just need to follow up, don't add new details etc they are just checking what you told 111 is consistent

Honestly, don't worry about it. You've done nothing wrong and they are not trying to catch you out. This is just how they make sure babies who ARE in danger don't skip through the net. They are just following procedure to make sure all is well.

My DD had an injury at home when she was two and the hospital referred it to social services but once they realised it was literally just a mishap that was the end of it. It's normal to feel anxious but you're not being targeted.