Baby fell from chair, seems ok - how worried should I be?

Platinum Member Joined: Oct 14 2009 Posts: 5894

My 19-month-old was standing on a kitchen chair watching me make dinner last night, she was very stably standing in middle of a large chair right up against the counter for support, no negligence here but of course in the five seconds that I moved a little farther from her she managed to topple off. It happened so fast I was not able to see how she landed, I have no idea what she hit. There was a thunk and she was on the floor, I think on her back or side but hard to tell because she turned over and got up instantly. She also screamed instantly, didn't seem to have her breath knocked out for even a second. She cried hard for quite a while until I offered her a cookie Rolling Eyes

(I just wanted to see if I could help her calm down...)

Anyway after that I put her through some paces and she seemed fine. She was talking to me fine, moving all her parts, walking normally, normal eye contact and movement. She did seem a bit droopy/drowsy, but I figured that could be just tired out from all the crying because not long afterward she perked up and has had her full personality since. No vomiting, bleeding, or any other unusual symptoms.

Today she woke up fine and happy and I can't find any noticeable new bruises anywhere. But still, I'm so freaked out that she fell from standing on an adult chair on a hard floor (not stone hard, but tile as opposed to carpet) that I keep worrying that maybe she doesn't seem as well balanced as usual (balance has never been her strong point, but is she tripping/slipping/falling MORE than usual or does it just seem that way because I'm being more vigilant?) and also that maybe she's acting more tired than usual (but she's a toddler, she always has somewhat unpredictable energy cycles...) She wasn't acting sleepy all day but there were definitely moments when she seemed downright droopy, which I don't remember being typical for her, but then again was I watching so carefully? (also, I worked away from home much of the day until very recently, so maybe I'm just not tuned in enough to what's normal for her?)

I can't figure out whether I'm being paranoid or if this needs to get checked out. On one hand, she really does seem fine overall. On the other hand, after taking such a spill... I imagine if I took her to the pediatrician they'd take one look and ask why I'm bringing them such a healthy baby. But how can you measure if she's more tired than usual or things like that?

Silver Member Joined: May 09 2010 Posts: 608

Similar things have happened to my baby and I can conclude from those agonizing moments afterward feverishly googling and hatzala calling and such is that all you can really do is observe your baby and make sure nothing out of the ordinary occurs. Think vomiting, severe confusion, sleepiness, dizziness, inability to keep focus.. things like that. If you see any of this, medical attention is called for. And if everything seems to be ok-which it probably is- you're good to go. You're a Mommy, and freaking out is totally normal on your behalf. But on the other hand, so is climbing, falling, and getting boo-boos for a child this age-yes, it's unpleasant, and we can even try our best to avoid it, but IT HAPPENS. And here's a secret- babies are STRONG creatures made out of stuff tougher than we think. Good luck, and kisses to DD! Oh, and hugs to you- I know what it feels like to be a worried mama Smile

Gold Member Joined: Jul 14 2009 Posts: 2094

my ds fell off the couch head 1st onto tile. I called the Dr. & was told to observe him for 1 hr. He shouldn't sleep,his pupils were ok.....I asked if I could give him acamol/tylenol (he prob had a headache) & was told not to.

Platinum Member Joined: Oct 14 2009 Posts: 5894

Yeah I know what to look out for, I'm just not trusting my judgment... like, drowsiness - what's drowsiness? How much is normal, where's the borderline of where to be concerned? I guess I'll continue to watch her like a hawk tomorrow, I'm already being vigilant just because I don't want her to bash herself again any time soon because I know that closely-spaced bashes increase the risk of injury C"V, so maybe that's even why it seems to me she's being more accident prone than usual? Then again, she hasn't really been so accident prone for a while, she used to be but she's gotten a lot more coordinated (but also at the same time less cautious, so... <sigh>)

I know this is pointless but I still feel guilty for leaving her on that chair. I KNOW she can't be trusted, how did I just forget that?! Even when I'm standing right there I often have to keep nudging her back to the middle of the chair because she doesn't pay attention to the edges... Sad

(our chairs are pretty wide though, so if she starts in the middle it usually takes several distractions for her to reach the edge)

Accidents happen, but since I have to report any accidents to the foster child's social worker, then I am very careful not to let kids play on chairs. Standing on a chair (even the sofa) would be a no-go in my house...ever.

Platinum Member Joined: Oct 14 2009 Posts: 5894

Just want to update she's been fine B"H. Good Shabbos Smile