My baby fell today...?

Question

My 5 mo. old baby fell off of the couch today. I looked away for just a second and she hit the floor. I freaked out and immediately scooped her up and checked her for reflexes and such. She seemed perfectly fine (no pupil dilation, vomiting, etc.) , even smiling like her normal self after about a minute of crying. I feel like a terrible mommy, by the way.

Anyway, I called her doc and he said there was no need to bring her into the hospital since she only fell about 1.5 feet and she seemed totally normal. However, after I talked to him, she's been particularly fussy this evening. Do you think the fussiness has to do with her fall?

P.S. Please be kind... I'm a first time mom and I'm trying to trust my instincts, but I need some advice from experienced moms.

THANKS.

Answer 1

Oh my god that sounds familiar. I'm pretty sure that every mom goes through that at least once. Same thing happened to me. Baby should be fine, probably more traumatic for you than for her. Try some tylenol and a warm bath to calm the fussiness. Good job trusting your instincts. You have done everything right so far. Just continue to keep an eye on her, and if you are still concerned later, call the doc back. Don't worry about about acting overly worried, you're a mom, and first time or no those maternal instincts are awsome and hard to ignore. Good luck and way to go for being a good mom!

Answer 2

Well, it's happened to every Mom and child by the other answers on here. And I will have to totally agree. This is only the first time that your little one has banged her head? Trust me, it won't be the last. My grandson was admitted to hospital overnight when he was 4 months old for observation after a head injury. He fell off the bed. A classic! Scared my daughter half to death. He has since fallen off the bed a few times, backwards onto tiled floor, fore ward into tables, and so on. How he is not brain damaged yet we will never know. And he is only 10 months old. What he will be like when he's walking we dread to think. It's not like we aren't watching him either. We are right there. He is not left alone for a single minute. He seems to be so accident prone.
They bounce. They are tougher than we think. We suffer their pain more than they do I believe because they seem to forget it after a kiss and hug. All I can say is it's a good job their skulls are thick!!
My daughter had stitches when she was 8 months old when a door slammed on her toe. I was right there and couldn't get there in time. She needed stitches again to her forehead after tripping and hitting the corner of a cupboard after I called her. She was 1 year and 2 days old. She poured bleach into her face and eyes when she was 18 months old. I was right there again. Her son is going to be exactly the same and give her the same trouble she gave me. Some kids are like that.
Accidents do happen. They are accidents. Don't stress too much.

Answer 3

To you 1st time mom. I only have one son myself. He is eleven now. I knoe your thinking you are a terrible mom. But you just learned a very valuable lesson. Thats all how motherhood works unfortunately. I only have one child there is a reason. All the things that you will learn in mother hood are learned from your mistakes and your mothers intuition. I'll never forget when my son was about 6 months old I put him on my bed for a nap with the pillows all around him and all that like everybody else does. The phone rang, I looked at him and he was asleep. I went in the other room and all the sudden I hear screamong and crying. He had crawled right off the end of the bed and bellyflop style. Knocked all the breath out of him and scrared me to death and to this day I'll never forget it. Its all trial and error. I wish you well. Your baby will be fine . Look she hasnt even started walking yet honey, Youll be fine, of course I can say that now cause mine made it past 1 I feel Lucky Not because Im a bad mom. Because Its very hard to know what to do. even from advise from anyone. Listen to your instincts from now on.

Answer 4

I would just keep an eye out for the signs you mentioned that could be symptoms of a head injury and call the Dr. back if she experiences any. The first 24 hours are usually the most important. Her fussiness may be caused from the fall. If she begins to cry inconsolably I would then take her to the hospital, but I don't think just being a little bit more fussy would be cause for concern. Try not to feel bad either, accidents happen. Once my oldest ate half a jar of Vaseline when he was a baby because I forgot to put it up! And my third got his finger broken when he was just a baby because I closed the door and was unaware that he had stuck his finger in the hinged side of it! talk about feel bad, I cried harder and longer than he did! The Dr. at the hospital had to calm ME down and comfort ME, as my son had calmed down and quit crying long ago. :-) Try not to feel too bad. Here is a link for signs and symptoms to watch for, if you don't have them already.

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/8/T082300.asp

Answer 5

My 20 month old is an accident waiting to happen. She has biffed off the sofa a couple times when she was a little younger and she was fine. As much as you try, you just can't keep both eyes on them at ALL times.
It doesn't make you a bad mother.
I wouldn't worry about the fussiness too much. Unless you see her holding an arm or wrist or something that may have been sprained in the fall.
It's probably just you worrying and looking for something to be concerned about.
It will be ok =)

Answer 6

She didn't fall that far, so my guess is that she is okay. It is definately possible that she is fussy from the fall - she might have a little bruise or be sore - or it could've just left her a little scared. You might try giving her the recommended dosage of infant tylonal to help comfort her. Just keep an eye on her in the next day or so and schedule a doctor's appointment if you are still concerned. Don't worry, you aren't a bad mom! I'm sure something similar has happend to most of us mom's!

Answer 7

Things happen and anyone that is going to bash you for this probably has no children so don't even pay attention. I think he is just fine however you are his mother and if you feel he is acting strange maybe you should take him cause better safe then sorry. However I think a hospital trip is more traumatizing to a child especially when there is nothing wrong. Also being his mother you are probably being a bit paranoid. I have 3 children and I know exactly what your feeling right now. I hope I was a little bit of help for you.

Answer 8

The fussiness may have somrthing to do with it buy i do not think it is a worry,my son was in his bouncy chair at 6 weeks old,they dont move much at that age,being a first time mom as well,dumb me had him on the coffee table!Fine i thought!He cant move...well the new batteries in the vibration sure the heck did!Vibrated right off the table!!!Duh!!Worse yet my son has a heart defect and was on heprin(blood thinners)so the shunt in his wouldnt get a blood clot!!!He landed face down on hardwood floor!!!You are not abad mom by any means!Dont worry as i have found it happens to thebest of us!Your babe will be just fine,my son fell about 3 feet and not amark on him!!!!Its alearning prossess!!A very scary one at times!Your doing just fine mom!

Answer 9

Hun you have nothing to worry about. If you checked her and she looks and sounds ok and the Doc says shes ok, she should be fine. Babies are a lot tougher than we think. Her fussiness is probably gas, hunger or tired.
You are not a terrible mommy. Lots of kids fall. My children fell off the couch a lot. They are very squirmy. :P

Answer 10

Mine have done that alot, and no you are not terrible! We unfortunately cannot stop there bobo's, it will happen! I beleive she'd have a big bruise on head if hurt bad and she'd be showing other symptoms! Her fussiness may be from other 5 month old things like TEETHING!!!!!!!! Just keep watching her and if she sleeps too much or eyes look different or other weird signs then I'd worry, but I think she is fine with a couch level fall!!!!!! Get ready, things like this will happen!!! Best wishes, but check her gums for teething!