What to Do After Baby Falls

Updated on August 18, 2011
S.A. asks from Lehi, UT
30 answers

I was pushing my 10 month old in the stroller, he was fussy, so I held him, and then put him back in. I was in a BUSY museum chasing my other two kids and didn't strap him in. (I feel awful now). My phone rang (I wouldn't have answered it but it was the realtor and we are in the process of buying a home ) anyway.... I stepped a little back to hear better and then my baby toppled out. It scared me to death. So now he won't bear weight on one arm and refuses to crawl because of it. Could it be broken? Do they actually cast arms that small? I had heard from my friend whose little boy fell down all of their stairs that there isn't much they can do for them that little. This happened yesterday afternoon and he slept fine and moves it fine and doesn't really react when I touch it. It's just when he tries to bear weight on it. Please don't comment if you are just going to judge or criticize for what I know I should have done. I already feel so terrible. Thanks in advance for any help. Edited to add: We just moved to a brand new area where I have no idea where to take him and my husband took the car to work today.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.K.

answers from Chicago on

I would definitely take him to be looked at. Accidents happen all of the time. When my 17 yr old son was a baby he was in his walker. My sister-in-law tripped and fell on him (actually landed right on him). He seemed fine but wouldn't put weight on one arm (he was crawling at that age). It ended up that his collar bone was broken! Take him in for peace of mind.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.E.

answers from Chicago on

yep get him to the dr or er and yes they will cast it. Ask for a waterproof cast too. If cant bear weight it is most likely broken. sorry this happened, hang in there!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from Chicago on

The awful would of, should of, could of. I am sorry it happened, but we are Moms and we aren't perfect. Just call his Dr. It is possible that he just bruised it.

Take care
J.

More Answers

R.D.

answers from Richmond on

If he can't bear weight on it, absolutely take him to the ER...

Honey, these things happen! I was 2 steps away from my 19 month old when he broke his leg in 2 places last week! (see my profile pic?!)... he was 9 months old when he ate a fish hook. He's going to be the death of me, but HE'S fine! They're called accidents for a reason, don't beat yourself up :)

This isn't the last time something's going to give you a heart attack and a handful of new gray hairs :) I promise you'll be able to laugh about it this time next year!!

Go get your kiddo xrayed, and I hope he feels better soon :) RELAX and BREATHE MAMA!!

4 moms found this helpful

S.J.

answers from St. Louis on

Take him to the ER or his doctor. There may be nothing they can do for him, but instead of speculating, why not find out for sure?

Do not beat yourself up. We all make mistakes. Get him to a doc.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.D.

answers from Dallas on

Both of my children fell out of things and off of things as babies, However, if he is having a problem with his arm, call your doctor and bring him in.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from Milwaukee on

If you haven't already call you ped-if for no other reason then to make yourself feel better.

My 16 mo old toppled a plastic lawn chair a few weeks ago because I ran into help my son in the house. Talk about Mommy guilt! She bit through her bottom lip-but was otherwise fine.

Don't beat yourself up, but call the dr.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.T.

answers from Dallas on

you need to get him to a physician and have it checked out - good luck!

2 moms found this helpful

M..

answers from Nashville on

Yes they do cast little ones.
Get your baby to the dr. they will need to get an x-ray.

Don't feel so bad, stuff happens.
YOU ARE A GOOD MOMMY.

I hope your little one is fine.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.G.

answers from Albuquerque on

I would take him to urgent care asap. It could be broken, or it could just hurt. They can & will do casts that young if need be.
It was an accident, doesnt make you the worst mom ever, all of our kids get hurt no matter how attentive we are at some point. My son rolled off the couch when he was 4 months old and it was the worst feeling ever.

1 mom found this helpful

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

At ten months it is unlikely that he broke anything from that short a fall. Think about sleeping in a car seat, they are very flexible. It may hurt, like he fell on it funny but there is little they can do for that.

In my life my oldest son fell out of his swing at two months because I didn't strap him in. After calling 911 and being laughed at by the paramedics I learned they are durable little creatures.

Same kid sneaked out on the roof of my ex's business that we lived above and jumped off the roof. He was two and a half at the time. After a night in the hospital he had a couple scrapes and bruises, nothing more.

He will be fine. :)

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.K.

answers from Boston on

Take him to the doctor!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.G.

answers from Boston on

My middle son broke his leg at 10 months old and he was casted for 3 weeks. I waited until the next day to take him and the ER DR said its common for parents of babies that young to wait a day before bringing them to the dr or ER. I felt bad but the DR wasn't worried so that helped.
If it makes you feel better my sons foot got stuck to a metal slide while going down sitting on my lap and his leg snapped under me while going down. I felt bad for a long time but now he loves telling the story.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.O.

answers from Chicago on

I would take him in to see a ped as soon as possible. Rather safe than sorry! If you don't have a ped chosen yet since you're new to the area, just look up a couple that are in your network (assuming you have insurance) and take him to the first appointment you can get once the car is back. If you don't have a car during usual ped office hours within the next day then I'd take him to your local ER.
Shame, accidents do happen, especially in chaotic situations, so don't feel so bad. You'll probably never forget to strap him in again :).
I hope he is ok!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.N.

answers from Philadelphia on

I don't know what to say to help, but I'm sure every mom has had a moment like this, Don't be too h*** o* yourself. Good Luck and i hope your little guy is ok

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.L.

answers from Chicago on

Have him checked out asap for your piece of mind. Poor little guy...I know a lesson learned. Hang in there

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.R.

answers from Chicago on

I'd call his pediatrician and probably bring him to the ER. My son had something like this happen - wouldn't bear weight on or move his arm. Turned out it came out of the shoulder socket - which is pretty common, I guess, until they are 4 or so - their joints are more pliable, apparently. They did x-rays to make sure it wasn't broken then set it in the ER. It hurt him while they were doing it but immediately fixed the problem. Good luck.

E.F.

answers from Provo on

I would skip the ER (It will cost less and its not life threatening) and call your Doc and see if you can go to them or if they will give you a referral to a specialist (pediatric orthopedic surgeon) . It probably is a green stick fracture o hairline fracture. Two of my kids had those, not fun, but not to scary. Until he can be seen you can stabilize it with some cardboard (paper towel tube) and a wrap.
you will need to go where they can take an x-ray, so if your doc cant do that then they will refer you to the ER or the Ortho.
Once they take the x-ray they will be looking for the slightest line, it is really hard to see when it is so small. But if he is still not using it and it is painful to the touch, with movement or weight bearing, then they will still at least give him a splint or a soft cast, as long as he will leave it on. (which I like, cause it comes off for baths and can easily be put back on)
After about 4 weeks they will x-ray again and that is easier to see, cause the new bone is nice and white. So at that point it can be confirmed.
Accidents happen, don't play the what if game, even if you had been right there, there is still the possibility that he could have fallen anyway. I am sure you are an excellent mother and will figure out what to do that is best for him and you.
Good luck
E.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.P.

answers from Seattle on

Gosh, I'm sorry. That could have happened to any of us. Get him checked out - they might want to x-ray to make sure; he might just have a sprain. Little arms do get casted if need be, but here's hoping that he's just strained it and will be crawling again in a day or two. :( Please let us know what your ped says!

S.T.

answers from Kansas City on

ER, the can cast it..better safe than sorry especially if it is broken near the growth plate that can affect him for life possibly.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.A.

answers from Minneapolis on

I would take him in to an Urgent care as soon as you get a car. My daughter broke her leg at 8 months old (rolled off the bed) and they casted it for 3 weeks. Dont be h*** o* yourself, it happens. Definitely get it checked out though. You would be really sad if you later discovered it was broken and had to be reset because it didnt reform right.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.R.

answers from Chicago on

You should take him to a dr. They need to make sure nothing serious is going on with his limb. If you don't get it check out now, he may suffer from it in the future. It's better to make sure nothing is wrong with it. Then to never to do the dr and something really is wrong with it.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Your not a bad mom because this happens, things happen to the best of us. Just call the dr. and see what they think. If you don't have a car, someone in your neighborhood would probably be happy to give you lift. It is worth checking into and making sure your little one is okay. Good luck to you.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.

answers from Peoria on

it's probably not necessary to get to the ER right away, but you should make some calls to find a good pediatrician and get him seen soon.

when my daughter was 11 months she slipped on a linoleum floor. cried some but then seemed ok except that she wouldn't put weight on it. we took her to a prompt care facility where they did x-rays that showed no fracture and sent us home. fortunately we have a pediatrician friend who lives in another city who told us this was crazy - their bones are so soft and pliable at this age that you would not see the fracture until healing was starting - maybe a week later! so we called our ped, who referred us to an orthopedics guy, and sure enough there was a fracture!

M.P.

answers from Sacramento on

I'm so sorry that happened to you. I would definately take him to the Dr. just to be sure. Just because the Dr. didn't do anything for your friends child, doesn't mean it would be the same with your child. Everyone is different and different circumstances warrant different actions. I personally would want the peace of mind knowing that I took him to the Dr. and the Dr. said that he would be ok, do this, or that, or whatever......

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.G.

answers from Chicago on

I see you have a lot of answers but I will add mine as well. Long story short, we thought our daughter broke her arm when she was 7 months old. She would not use the arm and when our ped examined her, she screamed when he put pressure on a certain area. X-rays were "inconclusive" because of her age - infants have so any growth plates and they show up on x-ray too, making it hard to tell. They put her in a precautionary soft cast at the hospital and then we were required to follow up with an orthopedic surgeon a week later for further x-rays. If the bone was broken, calcium deposits would form during healing and those would show in the follow-ups. Had that been the case, they would put her in a real cast but thankfully it turned out the arm had not been broken. They concluded it was just sore from hyper-extension. If I were you, I would take your child to the ped for examination at the very least and get advised from there. From what I learned, if they do break an arm that early and it doesn't heal properly, it can affect their future development and ability to use the arm fully, not something you want to chance. Good luck! And don't beat yourself up too terribly much. Kids get hurt! It's all part of growing up.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.P.

answers from Chicago on

I would probably at least take him to the Dr just to be sure. He's probably fine though.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

So sorry this happened. Please take him to doctor just to be sure. Taking him in and coming back with a doctor's opinion even if it's nothing to worry at all (I hope this is the case with your son) is lot better than sitting at home and worrying if he is ok and if you should take him in.
Also, please don't beat yourself for not strapping him in. Mistakes happen. So many times I strap my son in his carseat and get into the driver seat and go back again just because I can't remeber if I actually starpped him in or not. M. brains. And I just have one kid.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.B.

answers from Chicago on

I was holding my daughters hand & she decided she wanted to swing her body. Well she dislocated her elbow. At the time she was 2 yrs old & it was 9pm. I called the pediatrician & she advised me not to go to ER because there were no Xray techs working at that time of night. She said it sounded like nurse maids elbow & if it was she could pop her elbow back into place. I had to sleep upright with my daughter until the morning. The doctor fixed her elbow ' saved a trip to ER. My point is even though you can't get to the DR. Call for medical advice immediately. If the baby is hurt you don't want to put them in any further danger by not seeking medical attention. You would never be able to get over that. I hope nothing is too serious. The most powerful thing we forget to do at times like this is pray. It works believe me. This too shall pass.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

take him, if you can to the ER. My sil went through her ped for my niece and the ortho clinic wanted to wait a week to see her even after the xray confirmed a break...
as far a guilt I know there is nothing we can say to make if feel better..but accidents do happen. My husband landed on my son this winter sledding and broke his femur.... not fun! Esp since at 6 he could lay on the guilt... but daddy you broke my leg!!! kids...

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions