All new mothers know how tough it is to leave the baby with somebody else. Even though you might crave some ‘me time’ or have errands to run, separation anxiety might stop you from stepping out.
One possible solution, however, is to ask extended family members and friends to help you babysit your little one.
But what happens when these trusted individuals end up physically hurting your precious baby instead? One mum found out the hard way!
The new mum left her three-month-old baby with her husband’s grandmother. But what happened next forced her to never to trust his grandmother again.
My Husband’s Grandmother Dropped My 3-Month-Old Baby
Image courtesy: iStock
The mum shared her ordeal in a post on Reddit.
She started by explaining that husband’s paternal grandmother has a nonchalant attitude. But she never imagined it would extend to her newborn too.
She explained that his grandma was supposed to babysit only for a few hours. And while she was at it, she dropped the three-month-old baby boy on the stairs. The baby’s body landed on one step and his head on the next one. W
hen the incident first happened, the grandmother called her son, who told her to hang up the phone and immediately contact the parents.
When she called the baby’s mum, the latter couldn’t hear anything, other than the baby’s screams.
The woman says in her post, “I could hear my son screaming in the background and my instincts said that something was not right. So I told her to get off the phone with me and call an ambulance then call me back and informed me what happened once the ambulance was on the way.”
To the mother’s dismay, the grandmother retorted, “I don’t think we need to bother with an ambulance, babies are made of rubber and tougher than they look you know.”
She admitted that the newborn had a “bit of a scrape and a bruise, and later went on to admit that it was a bump to the head.
The mum quickly hung up the phone and called the ambulance that rushed her baby to the hospital. Once there, she met the grandmother who continued to downplay the infant head injury, recalled the mum.
Infant’s Health Injury Lead To A Fracture To The Skull
The mum further adds that her three-month-old baby suffered a minor fracture in his skull as a result of the unfortunate incident. Luckily, it would heal on its own, but it will take some time.
The mum shared, “The doc said a fall like that could have easily caused a life-threatening brain injury, and my husband’s grandma hesitating to call an ambulance could have increased his risk of serious disability or death.”
The grandma later called for an update, but rather than being apologetic, she said, “What did I tell you, he’s fine, right?” The condescending tone of the woman angered the mother who ended up saying, “We’re not sure if he’s gonna make it.” Then all the apologies and the guilt came out, she shared.
The couple, however, later updated the entire family about their baby’s health. But, there were some members who shared that the mum took it too far by giving the grandmother a scare.
The woman, however, stated that her husband agreed with her actions and that his grandmother needed to feel sorry for her actions.
The agitated mum shared, “I for one will never let her near my son again.”
“The woman is a danger to kids”
Most netizens who read this post agreed that the grandmother’s actions were wrong and she wasn’t remorseful.
One user commented, “That’s a woman who should no longer be allowed to be alone with children.”
Another replied, “A skull fracture in a three-month-old baby? It is terrifying. If it was me, I would never forgive the woman for that and nor let my kids be anywhere near to her”
While yet another chimed in, “She is the worst great-grandmother ever.”
What would you have done in a similar situation? Let is know in the Facebook comments.
Infant Head Injury: What To Do If Your Newborn Falls
Image source: iStock
While this case may be extreme, the fact is that accidents can happen to the most careful of parents. What one needs to remember is to act fast and smart.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of accidents among children. So to prevent any damage, even accidental, its advisable to know who you’re handling and then how to care for the little one.
Why is a baby’s head so delicate?
A baby has two soft areas on the skull called fontanelles. These are protected by a soft membrane. The baby’s soft spot is the anterior fontanelle.
Until your baby reaches between 18 months and 2 years, it remains soft. The posterior fontanelle, located at the base of the skull, generally closes sometime in the first few months of your baby’s life.
If the baby is dropped or something happens to its head, here’s what you need to do.
Get immediate medical help
If your baby has received external injuries, is unconscious, or seems disoriented, rush to the emergency centre. The main worry here is a skull fracture or internal bleeding.
Without relevant immediate treatment, the bleeding can turn worse and put pressure on the brain, thus causing traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Also be sure to look out for these red flags.
- Irritability
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Firm or a bulging soft spot
However, it is best to head to the emergency room if your baby has more than just a small bump or if they from a height of over three feet.
The doctor may ask you few questions about the incident and conduct the following few tests to ascertain the level of seriousness if any.
- MRI: This test will capture the more specialised images of your baby’s organs and tissues.
- CT scan: This will provide detailed images of bones, fat, muscles and the other organs of the baby.
It is natural for you to fear an accident, but remember, accidents can happen any time. The good news is that the chances of having brain damage or any long term effects are usually low.
So keep an eye on the symptoms and immediately seek help.
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