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Original poster

I accidently dropped my newborn as I was walking down the stairs!

191 replies

emlouba · 03/10/2023 13:17

Hello

I'm really worried as I dropped my newborn baby 5 weeks old as I was walking down stairs I had about 3/4 steps to go and he landed on our wooden floor! He cried his eyes out but I checked for any bumps or bruises but he has calmed down now and seems fine but should I get him checked?

I feel sick and so awful about it!! He's due for a nap so very tired but almost don't want him to sleep as just so worried I've hurt him 😭

Thanks
Emma

OP posts:
tommyhoundmum · 04/10/2023 19:23

Try not to beat yourself up. It was an accident.

Wills · 04/10/2023 19:24

I have 3 girls and one boy. I dropped the eldest 2 girls in a similar scenario and weirdly my husband dropped our son. i.e. we slipped down the stairs. I suspect the ONLY reason we didn't drop our youngest (girl) was because we moved to a bungalow!

Like others say, it's best to get it all checked out. BUT at such a young age their bones are very soft and malleable and seriously difficult to break (and that's why it's even more horrific when you hear about broken bones being inflicted on any child under 10).

But please don't feel guilt. Both times that I dropped my eldest daughters I ended up in a far worse state than they - for my second I cracked my coxic (sp?? - you know the tail bit at the end of the spine that can take years to heal). My girls are now grown up and I can sort of relax about it, but seriously you didn't do it on purpose. So as Disney's Elsa tells you... Let it go!

ladyluck13 · 04/10/2023 19:25

I'm glad lil one is okay..My now toddler managed to roll herself off the bed when she was tiny and I didn't even realise she could roll yet..It happens to most of us..takes a fews years off your life though with the worry lol

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MrsMigginsesPieShop · 04/10/2023 19:43

Try not to beat yourself up - these things happen! Mine have been back and forward to a&e so often, I'm surprised we don't have our own entrance. Swallowed a magnet (DS1), shoved what turned out to be a coco pop up their nose (DS3), threw a torch at brothers head (DS2), fell on a pair of scissors (DS2), tripped at school and broke wrist (DS1), ran down the stairs on christmas day and broke another wrist (DS2). Honestly, I'm sure we're on some kind of list somewhere. To say nothing of the time I accidentally left 6 week old DS3 in Greggs, happily snoozing in his pram. I got halfway up the road before I realised.

Daisybridge · 04/10/2023 19:50

I had a similar accident with my son. You'll feel better for getting your little one checked by a professional x

colourwheelofortune · 04/10/2023 19:58

So glad he is OK. Very few babies have survived babyhood without a fall of some kind, so please don't worry.

Dagnabit · 04/10/2023 20:28

I’m glad baby is ok, OP. When mine was a few weeks old, she rolled off the bed! She cried but calmed down after a breastfeed. We took her to A&E and was seen almost immediately - bypassed the big queue and she was fine. She’s 13 now and other than a bit annoying at times, she’s wonderful, healthy and clever 😆

BlowDryRat · 04/10/2023 20:31

Be kind to yourself OP. It was an accident, you did the right thing and got him checked out and he's ok and won't remember it at all.

FWIW I dropped DS before we even left hospital after giving birth Blush He was fine, I was a mess.

Castleview6 · 04/10/2023 20:33

Glad all is well. Please don’t feel bad - these things happen. Our D was on the floor and her big brother ran over her head (wearing wellies) when she was 2 weeks old. Everyone survived!

DetectiveDouche · 04/10/2023 20:51

@emlouba glad all is well. Just wanted to add that I did exactly the same when my baby was a few weeks old. Stumbled on the stairs and he came out of his Moses basket and landed on the wooden floor. I felt like a monster! We had the GP out to check him (you could still do that then!) He was fine once he stopped crying.

He is now 31 and about to become a dad himself ☺️

Original poster
emlouba · 04/10/2023 21:01

It honestly makes you feel terrible!! I felt asif my heart was in my throat! But I am so thankful and glad no damage was done, and I've learnt to be extra cautious from now on so doesn't ever happen again!
I feel better I'm not only one who's done this with all your stories!
The hospital was amazing - couldn't fault them, they checked him all over and moved all his limbs & made me feed him to check he was feeding ok and I had to stay 20 mins after to check he didn't throw up.
I'm so thankful for you all and your lovely support it means so much! I felt horrendous!

He's all good ♥️♥️ never to happen again!! Xxxx

OP posts:
DoughBallss · 04/10/2023 21:18

A little late commenting, hope everything is ok!!

Just to help you feel better my toddler pulled my 4 day old off the bed trying to pick him up (I had my back turned) and my now toddler fell down the stairs top to bottom at 8 months old when I didn’t close the gate properly. Both are ok, babies don’t stiffen up like us so they bounce. I didn’t get my baby checked out after the bed incident as the carpet is soft but I did with the stairs x

Mummymoomingrumpy · 04/10/2023 21:30

It is good to get checked. Accidents happen though and most of the time they are fine. Most parents have scary stories and near misses.

ShatParp · 04/10/2023 21:36

MadMadaMim · 04/10/2023 19:07

A 5 week old baby dropped down multiple stairs and they didn't keep baby on for a few hours of observation?!?

Hopefully, there won't be a near time, but if there is don't let them go you off. Sounds like they just about had time to check for anything broken - how long were they with the baby?

Our hospital policy is 4 hour observation period after a fall like that!

Pressed too soon: don't feel bad, OP!! You'd be amazed how many people this happens to! Glad your little one is fine!!

CarterBeatsTheDevil · 04/10/2023 21:44

I accidentally dropped my baby in the waste paper basket once. She rolled off my shoulder and I just didn't twig in time. It was a soft landing (full of nappy bags!) and she was fine, but I absolutely wailed and was distraught for the rest of the day. (She's 6 now and absolutely fine.)

ToffeeMamma · 04/10/2023 21:46

Yes get him Che ked out there may be nothing wrong but it's.nit worth the risk. I've known a parent drop a baby only inches from a sofa onto a carpeted floor, baby didn't cry for more than a few seconds and they thought there are no injuries it took health visitor to notice the fact the gap in skull just wasn't closing as it should and parents asked if that could have an impact. Baby looked fine but had a fractured skull. Never take the risk with a baby the hospital won't judge you, not for checking him out, they are more likely to judge you if you ignore it and something does turn out to be wrong.

axolotlfloof · 04/10/2023 21:55

Well done. My non mobile baby rolled off the sofa when he was tiny.
I placed him down after feeding and his Teddy was under the cushion making a slope and he rolled onto the floor.
It was horrible.
Anyway he is 16 and just got an A in maths gcse, so I am starting to feel less guilty.
Welcome to motherhood where you worry forever.

RantyAnty · 04/10/2023 22:26

So very happy your bub is fine.
I'm an old grandma and both mine had a fall like that and grandkids toddling around fell into the sharp corner of a table. They were all fine but took them in just to be safe. And yes, you do feel bad as you just want to protect them so much. You're a good mum. Flowers

TruJay · 04/10/2023 23:02

Oh op 💐

I know exactly how you feel. I fell down the stairs carrying my 6 week old. I fell down about 8 steps and just held onto him as best I could, my arm that was holding him got dragged up backwards behind me as I fell due to how I was trying so hard to guard him with it and I smacked my head on the wall and had lots of grazes and carpet burns. Just as I came to a stop at the bottom of the stairs, he rolled down the final step and onto the floor. I was absolutely distraught and he was screaming.

We went to A&E and he got checked over and was absolutely fine. When they asked me what happened, like you, I just burst into tears. It was like the scene in Friends when Monica is crying and Chandler says ‘Monica only dogs can hear you now’ 😂I just couldn’t get my words out for the tears, I was so upset. They were so lovely and reassuring that he was just fine and it happens. He’s 13 now but I remember it clear as day.

Glad your little one is ok too. Try not to beat yourself up about it xx

Balloonhearts · 04/10/2023 23:08

Don't be so hard on yourself. Everyone makes mistakes and the ones where it turns out ok are more by accident than design. I left the baby on the sofa once to grab a clean nappy from the other side of the room. I knew she could roll, it was stupid of me but I just thought she'd be fine for literally 5 seconds with me right there. Of course she rolled straight off and landed on her face. She cried, I cried, lessons were learned.

That particular mistake will not be made again.

threatmatrix · 04/10/2023 23:42

Don’t feel awful accidents happen, you are doing the right thing by taking him to be checked. I had my son in one of those things you carry them around in and banged his head hard on a door luckily everything was okay, so I know how you are feeling. I’m sure he’ll be ok.

Ukrainebaby23 · 05/10/2023 07:20

I work in an ED and I'm so aware of this type of accident, its so easy to lose grip/footing especially if they wriggle. I still worry about falling or dropping my DS on the stairs. Tried slings but they don't seem to work well for a quick trip up to the loo etc.

Glad you are both OK and did the right thing to get him checked. Don't beat yourself up, they'll be lots of tumbles in the next year.

Sennelier1 · 05/10/2023 07:53

My brother in law has dropped all of his 3 daughters or fell down the stairs with baby in his arms 😊 he's still a wonderfull dad and the girls love him to pieces. They're growing fast and are fine!

SoFuckingTired · 05/10/2023 07:55

Another one adding to the chorus of 'I've done it too!' My baby was slightly older. My toe got caught in the hem of my pyjamas and there was nothing I could do other than keep hold of baby. He was fine, I had multiple carpet burns and an egg on my head Flowers

Atsocta · 05/10/2023 07:59

Straight to hospital ….

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