Hi, this may be a weird question:
Today, after waking up we realized a significant amount of snow had fallen after the city snow plow had gone through once yesterday. I wondered if we shouldn't go out until the plow comes around again for the fear of our cars getting stuck, but my husband was eager to go get gas for the snow blower so he could get moving on snow blowing so went off.
Of course, he got stuck - just two blocks away from the house, but had trouble getting out of it, with no one to push the car for him. He's been shoveling the snow around the car but spinning and burning tires badly. He called his emergency service but it would take them 2+ hours to come (we were afraid the plow might come and ticket him or dump snow on the car in the meantime), and they also said that if the street wasn't plowed, they may not be able to tow anyway.
So I thought what can I do to help? It sounded like if there was another person to push the car it would be a lot of help. I thought since it's just 2 blocks from home and it's not that cold out, I can put our son in the baby carrier and walk over to the car.
I put our 16 mo old son in his puffy down jacket and put him in Ergo baby carrier (front) that I hadn't used since last August (when he was 10 mo old). When I put him in the carrier, he seemed to go into eyes-closed, sleep-like mode right away.
I put my down coat on around him, and with a diaper bag on my shoulder, locked the door, and started towards the car. Then I realized, my son's face was kind of slightly purply or marbly looking. His eyes were closed like he was meditating or sleeping.
Then I thought, maybe he's not breathing. I threw the diaper bag and my coat on the ground, and unbuckled the upper back strap and loosened the shoulder straps. He became loose and opened his eyes. His face color seemed to have changed to slightly whiter, normal color, but it wasn't that dark/strong purple to start with - just a tinge, or more uneven, marbly look.
I'm still not sure if he was suffocating in Ergo, like he was in too tight, with his puffer jacket on, the straps not being adjusted since he was 10 mo old. If this info helps, I'm flat chested. I remember him being snug on my chest, but don't remember it being painfully tight. But with all this hectic, surreal experience of today, I probably wasn't paying attention enough.
Another info that may or may not be relevant is that he seemed to be under the weather a bit and more lethargic than usual since last night (before this incident). It was strange that when I first him on my back, he thought it was funny and laughed out loud (excited), but when I put him in front he got in this sleep like mode right away. I at first was thinking it was comforting and peaceful position for him ...
After being loosened, he didn't seem to like being outside too much (looking around quietly with a serious look), but after we came into the house, he seemed fine, same as usual. Do you think there's a possibility he was actually suffocating? If so, even if he seems same as usual, there's some not so obvious brain damage or something that we will wonder about ("is this because of that snowy day when he was in Ergo...") later?
Added info:
Thank you for all your responses so far! He’s pasty white too, and his lips weren’t purple, I don’t think, at least in a way that stood out to me (maybe to about the same degree as his skin). Also, I have the problem with sudden blood pressure falling when I stand up suddenly, but I never noticed that with him. I’ll call the nurse just in case.
Also, by mentioning the product name Ergo, I didn’t intend to blame Ergo itself. I just thought people would more quickly understand what I’m talking about if I mentioned the name.
Hi, thank you for all your responses! I called my son's usual clinic and talked with a nurse. She at first told me to bring my son in today, saying there's too many uncertainties in my story that she couldn't make judgments. I asked what can be done if I bring him in, and she said that she will discuss with my son's doctor and will get back to me. She called me back and said that if he's breathing and behaving fine now, there's no need to bring him in. So I guess he's OK. I asked her if what the Dr. said was there was really no need to bring him in, or there is nothing that can be done (there may have been damage), but she just said that the Dr. did not answer that question. I came home from work and saw my son, and he seems to be totally fine - so hope all is alright and there is nothing to worry about! Again, thank you for your comments and concerns!
I don't know if it was the Ergo or what but it sounds pretty scary. I would give the doctor a call and just ask. Even if you feel a bit silly or paranoid, do it. Taking calls like that is part of what we pay them for.
Sounds scary is right! It sounds like either his air supply or circulation was partly obstructed but not fully--but I am guessing. It doesn't sound like it was very long either (if it was under 3 minutes then damage is unlikely). I'm glad for you he appears to have bounced back pretty fast. If you are worried then call your doctor and see about having him checked out. If makes you feel better both my kids were and born by emergency c-section with concerns about breathing/lung issues. 1 was even on a respirator for several days but they still found no evidence lack of oxygen harmed him. Yes, check it out if you are still concerned or see some change with him but don't make yourself crazy over it.
Woah mama! Sounds like a scary incident. There is nothing that I can even begin to imagine about an ergo that would cause a suffocation or strangulation hazard. That said, children shouldn't have puffy jackets on in it (or car seats) as those can bunch up and possibly cover the nose/mouth or restrict the airway via the throat from being too tight. They should be warm enough being close to you and if you'd like to give them a layer of warmth, put your own jacket on and wrap it around while they are in the ergo. A shawl also works great for this. My son would often also doze off when on my chest from comfort and it was almost immediate.
That said, if he was having difficulty breathing and didn't require CPR or anything like that, he will not suffer brain damage.
Get him to the doctor and have it checked out. This sounds like it could be a type of orthostatic hypotension, where in which the blood pressure changes drastically when going from laying down or sitting to standing up. It's not necessarily from something scary, but it is totally worth looking into. It's possible it was too tight, but it's odd that he would immediately be in that trance. You would think if it was tight enough to suffocate him he would have struggled. I'd get it checked out, better safe than sorry.
sounds to me he may have been wrapped a little too tight and it slowed down his respiration some. He's fine now tho, so dont worry about any long term damage. I'd keep an eye on him just in case it was only a coincidence and not related to being in the ergo smashed with down. (but I think that's what it was and a good thing you noticed it when you did!)
I'm super white (red hair and freckles gene, thanks dad!) and when I'm exposed to very cold conditions, I get kind of marbly. Now, if your son's nailbeds or lips were blue or purple, then that's absolutely cause for concern. Call your pediatrician just to make yourself feel better. Has this happened before when he's been sleeping? Could be the start of some kind of sleep apnea. Does it happen when he's awake? Could be poor circulation. But babies are very vein-y because their skin is so thin, and since babies aren't as 'tan' as adults, he could have just looked like that because it was cold; like I said, I get marbly because I'm so freaking WHITE!!
sounds like he is asthmatic asthma flairs up in the cold and with him turning purple that is not a good sign at all. with hm being pale and lethargic that is something asthmatics do when they cant breathe. its possible that the straps were to tight but i would definately take him to the doc and make sure it wasnt asthma or rsv which acts like asthma
