[Resi]

I feel awful. He was sitting in his highchair and I didn't have him buckled in. I turned my back and was cutting up sweet potatoes to make his baby food. I heard a loud thud and he was on the floor. He cried for about 5 mins or less. I started to panic because I was thinking what if he broke his neck? He seems to be okay but is whinny. What should I do?

[Resi]

I'm going to call his doctor's office. I know I need to watch out for signs of a concussion.

I'm so annoyed with my mom. I called her when I was panicing because Damon is at work and had his cell off. The first thing she does is start yelling at me. Then she goes on about the co-sleeping thing and how it's all over the news about baby's dying from sleeping in bed with parents. They she starts yelling about our baby gate. She said to bring him over to her house tonight so she can watch him at her house tomorrow instead of coming over here. What ever.. I wish I didn't have to have her watch him anymore. She is trying to control the way I parent him.

[**Jenn**]

Poor Oliver! Calling his doctor is a good idea. Just keep on the look out for signs of concussion. How is he acting now? Does he seem back to his old self? Babies are very resilient.

And shame on your Mom for trying to make you feel bad! It is absolutely none of her business how you choose to parent Oliver. She had her chance with her kids now its your turn. She obviously hasn't done any research on your parenting choices otherwise she wouldn't be running her mouth at you like that. Try not to feel bad about the fall. It happens to all of us at some point. When Lochy was about Oliver's age I was holding him and he literally lept out of my arms and fell on the floor. Sometimes things happen so fast you can't react in time. It'll be ok.

[Resi]

I talked to a doctor that was on call. I'm just watching out to see how he is today and tonight. He just went down for a nap. I feel so bad. What if he fell and broke his neck or something? He was clingy and whinny after falling. We woke up at 8 PM which is late for us. I thought he would go down for a nap around 11 AM because usually it's 3 hrs after waking up. It's about 2.5 hrs since we woke up so I guess that is okay. I was just scared he was wanting to go to see because of hitting his head. I talked to Damon and he is coming home. He doesn't need to but he wants to because he is worried. Oliver & I are suppose to go swimming today with a baby friend. The doc said we still can as long as he is doing okay. I learned my lesson. I should have had him strapped in. We all got in the bad habit of not strapping him in when he wasn't mobile. Now that he can move so much it's easy for him to fall out of things.

[greeneyes]

Don't feel bad, sweetie. No matter how hard you try, babies are going to fall off or out of something. Lily has fallen off her changing table TWICE and both times I was standing right there. She was just such a wriggle worm about putting her shirts on and while I had both hands on the shirt, down she went.

The main thing you need to look out for is if he becomes dizzy or disoriented. Any change in speech or crawling (slurring words, falling over while crawling, acting "drunk") and you should head into the ER. Keep him up for at least the next hour and when you do lay him down for a nap, check on him every thirty minutes.

I'm sure he will be fine. You never know, he may not have landed on his head since you didn't actually see the fall. About your mom, maybe she isn't the best person to call in situations like this? Do you have a best friend that you can call and freak out to instead? It just sounds like you could really do without the added stress she brings when you're already in a stressful situation. *hugs*

[Mod-LadyCoconut]

Oh Resi! Don't beat yourself up. I really do think every little kid will have a spill or fall or something scary like that. When I was like 3 I was in a shopping card and stood up and my mom didn't look and just grabbed the cart to pull it behind her and I fell straight to the floor on my head and had a concussion. It sounds like Oliver is doing okay and the worst is over. Don't worry about the 'what ifs' because they didn't happen. I'm sorry your mom gave you a hard time and used this as her excuse to vent other parenting frustrations on you. That's really unfair and I'm sorry you had to hear that at all, let alone while you were already down on yourself. I think you're a fantastic mom!

[midnight_starr]

Oh Resi, its not your fault.. Don't beat yourself up.. He will be ok!

[soImarriedAnerd]

Coming from a past fall down ALL the time child.....its going to be ok. Kids fall--and its not going to happen less....once they start climbing up things and learning their limits. I fell out of MANY trees, off tables, jumped off of things, etc. We do what we can to make sure they are safe, but stuff is going to just happen.
*mouse slaps your mom-HARD* *** was she thinking even saying that to you PERIOD--let ALONE when you call her for help! UGH!

[Frozendesire]

I'm sorry Resi! That must have been terribly frightening. I'm glad he seems to be okay though! I hope it stays that way.

It's happens Kids fall off of or into things alot... no matter what we do as moms! Curtis fell off the bed when he was a bit younger then Oliver (I think?). I just put him on there after a bath and turned to get his PJs and I heard a thudd and he was on the floor. EEps. We've had other things happen. But then come the toddler years and boy do things happen then!! Just you wait!

[Trannyfromtheuk]

Oh Resi, it isnt your fault!!
All babies are gonna end up with bruises eventually so dont worry, you've learnt your lesson and will make sure he is fasnted in next time.

When Mia has just turned one Gary was playing with her when we went shopping and had her sat on the handles and i asked him a question and she sorta jolted forward at the same time and banged her head on the floor i saw her falling but couldnt get to her in time and it was so horrible knowing i couldnt stop it!
I had never flet so guilty and we took her striaght to the hospital - poor mite had a bump the size of a golf ball!

[**Jenn**]

When I was 9 months old I fell off ONE step and broke my leg. Things like that happen so fast and you'd have to be superman to catch it in time. Don't beat yourself up over it, ok? He's probably a little more whiney and clingy because he has a headache. I'm sure he'll feel much better after his nap! I'll tell ya, with the boys at this age, and Lochy being my climber, it's not a full day in our house until someone falls on their head! They always have bruises and cuts and scrapes, its just the nature of being a kid. I know how hard it is to see your baby in pain and think that you *should* have prevented it but we can't prevent every bump. He'll be ok! And if you ever want someone to talk to you can always call me.

Its definitely not your fault, and you know what Im sure hes going to fall again. How is he feeling now?

[*kyle*]

Shame on your mom for using your vulnerable moment to throw all of those other issues into the melting pot of your guilt. What happened today has nothing to do with co-sleeping, a baby gate or whatever else she's been secretly angst-ing about. Some old school myths and ideas about parenting will never die. I know parents of the older generation who would never co-sleep, but did put their babies to sleep on their stomachs every night with their heads surrounded by fluffy blankets, pillows and stuffed animals (my parents included). While I agree you should be using the high chair straps every time... there are many things we should all be doing all the time that we slack on because life teaches us that 99% of the time, those safety measures don't matter, because the worst doesn't happen. It was a fluke that today he did take a fall. It is very unlikely that any severe or long-lasting damage was done. The clinging and whining is a natural reaction to the fear that he felt and from your own fearful reaction. I'm sure in the future you'll be much more vigilant about strapping Oliver into things, without needing a guilt trip to convince you.

You're a wonderful mommy and Oliver is lucky to have you!

[Mars]

Don't beat yourself up, Resi! Oliver's going to be all right. And don't listen to your mom! Shame on her!!

(((((Resi))))) I ditto all the others, these things happen and you have learned from it. It's not your fault. He's bound to have worse bumps to come in the next few years!

I'm sorry your mum had a rant at you, it was unfair, especially with you being a bit panicky and upset. I know she's your mum but you have to do what you feel is right for your little guy, no matter who says what. Ive learned that the hard way over the past few months. Just because something worked for another mum, doesn't mean it will work for you, or that you want it to work for you!

[ShannonMVT]

I don't know of any person who didn't have some type of fall as a baby/young child. Accidents happen. I do think it is wise to watch him closely and make sure he's okay. I'm sorry your mom was so horribly unhelpful.

[Resi]

Thank god I have you ladies to talk to. He is fine. We went out to lunch and swimming with friends and he had a good time.

[Mod-LadyCoconut]

Glad he's doing great and everything is back to normal!

[Trannyfromtheuk]

so glad he is fine and dandy and you could go swimming etc