I Feel So Terrible!

No matter how hard you try, you are never going to be able to prevent all accidents. I felt like the worst parent ever when my first was learning to walk, he fell down stairs, ran into things, bumped his head. When he went to his 12 month appointment I was sure the the Dr. was going to send DCFS to my home and he actually told me that he would be more concerned with a 12 month old who didn't have bumps and bruises. Let your Dr. know that she hit her head as previously recommended and keep and eye on her. Most of the time their crying is more out of our reaction than actual pain. I wish I could tell you that this will be the last time your daughter will have a scary little accident, but it won't be...you'll adjust better over time. And definitely don't pull out the tile!

You poor thing - don't feel bad! At least you were with her when it happened, not like she fell because you weren't taking care of her. It's just an accident and there are many more to come.

If you want to feel a little more prepared for these "incidents" I'd recommend taking a First Aid & CPR class. It is WELL worth the money. Also, if you don't have one, get one of the books on childhood illness and injuries. The two I have are "The American Academy of Pediatrics The Official, Complete Home Reference Guide to Your Child's Symptoms" and "What Nurses Know and Doctors Don't Have Time to Tell You". I've used these quite often when my kids have been sick, have a weird rash, or are limping. It's just piece of mind.

I hope you find this helpful. And don't worry, you're just learning how to "make it all feel better". Best of luck!

Don't feel terrible. Things like this will happen. If she wasn't throwing up afterwards, she is fine. If it makes you feel better give her pediatrician a call. Best of Luck.

Hi S.,

Like everyone else, try not to feel bad. Especially being a first time mom. I'm a first time mom too. We have a 19 month VERY active little girl who seems to get into everything. You try to think a few steps ahead of them, but it's impossible. You'll learn from things that happen. My daughter slips on the hardwood floors. Her body goes way too fast and her feet can't catch up. When she comes out of the tub. She runs across the bathroom. I try to be quick and dry her feet. She fell a couple of times...now she tip toes soooo slow. We have radiator heat. When she was starting to crawl/creep I noticed two little blisters on the tips of her fingers. The only thing I could think of is she must have stuck her hand in there. I then found netting that goes around them (never even thought of her hand in there). Another day she came to me saying 'uh oh'. She had my cup of coffee that I set in the middle of the table so she couldn't get it. She got it somehow. She was loaded from head to toe with coffee. When I still think about it I cringe...thankfully it wasn't hot. Her latest thing...she grabs onto the window handles and tries to climb onto the window sill. She gives me gray hair everyday.

Hang in there...we can't keep them in bubbles. We just have to try our best to protect them.

I hate when that happens! And it does happen and will happen again! They can slip on anything. We do our best to protect them but, short of putting them in a bubble, they're going to hurt themselves. You're a good mom. Nothing was intentional. Just remember when she's in the care of your husband and something like that happens, don't blame him!

Signed, the mother of a happy 10 year old boy who's had two concussions, a broken arm, two broken fingers and still loves to skateboard, play football and baseball!

Try not to feel guilty, I know it's hard, but just about every mom and unintentionally hurt their little one. In fact, I dropped my daughter for the first time last week. :-( She was swinging under my legs and slipped right out of my hands.

If your baby is acting as normal, I wouldn't worry too much.

I know how you feel...our daughter fell off the changing table about 2 months ago (14 months at the time). B/C it was a sunday I spoke with the on-call dr who said to wake her up every 2 hours for 24 hours to ensure that she has not suffered a concusion (sp). I would call your dr, your daughter's fall may or may not require that.

Hi S.,
Don't go replacing the tile so fast. The only way that wouldn't have happened is if you had carpet in the kitchen--yuck! As much as we'd like to, we can't childproof everything. I know how you feel, but this may just have to be a painful lesson. My son fell on our kitchen tile and knocked out a tooth last fall. I felt horrible! But he's fine and will have a little gap in his mouth until his new teeth come in, a couple of years from now! Don't be too hard on yourself!

J.

Ahhhhhhhh stop feeling terrible! This and many more accidents will happen over the years! Hopefully this is the worst of them you will have!

We have wood floors throughout our house except for carpet in our bedrooms and our daughter has tripped and fallen on them all! lol She is sometimes a bit clumsy and gets overly excited and her body moves faster then her little chubby legs can carry her! We did attempt to put an area rug in our living room and all this did was cause us all to trip on it and got rolled up and given away in the end!

I think the best thing I have done is gotten her slippers with little grips onthe bottom so this doesnt happen as often where she slips backwards. Now when she falls it is because she is running in the house when she should not be. We constantly tell her WALK- NO RUN in a firm voice and she stops and slows down. Also, sometimes we fight about putting the slippers on... I also have socks that I put the sticky paint on the bottom for gripping... You can get that at any craft store or even Walmart.

As for what to watch out for... changes in behaviour, appetite and balance or coordination wanting to excessively sleep etc.... Try to wake her every 2 hours for the next 24 if you feel she may have gotten a concussion. If you notice any changes take her to the ER or call your Dr. right away!

Again, stop feeling terrible! Kids bounce right back most of the time and unfortunately they will do this many times before they learn their lesson about it! lol

Good luck and many blessings to you!