Just when I thought I could start repaying back my sleep debt from last week’s series of needing to be on standby for the sick boy who caught a bug, tonight’s incident just made me want to go all gothic with even darker eye circles.
A few weeks ago, I woke up randomly (but rather timely) one night to find our little guy at the foot of our bed, too close to plunging to the floor while sleeping. I relayed my worries and immediately relief to the Bo & mum, informing them how we needed to set up a huge mattress pronto because co-sleeping was getting too dangerous for my liking. True enough in the last 2 times the little guy has been on the mattress with me, I’ve seen some huge-arse movements alright – making circles in his sleep, kneeling and inching backwards until he fell outside the mattress, turning himself horizontally between the Bo & me and even managing to irritate his dad with some kicks in the face and seemingly enjoying it judging by the smiles on his face even with eyes close. I’ve read about toddlers’ activity during sleep time (their huge movements and all) but seeing it for myself? Woah.
So anyway tonight was one of those where he cried a little for his overdue bedtime milk because he was just so tired from the day’s activity that he slept right after bath. I ran up, gave him milk and he did one of those “carry me mama” gestures right after, telling me how he wanted a hug (he’s been very needy and sticky of late. Hmm). I didn’t think it’ll take long and so I cuddled him in bed. Biggest mistake? Falling asleep (accidentally) shortly after thinking that he would probably be asleep too as was usually the case and it wasn’t till the Bo heard a ‘THUD’ through the baby monitor, followed by a short cry out that I woke up and realized that he was on the floor. The Bo stormed through the door of course, questioning what happened and my carelessness, making me feel like the worse mum ever and got me to step aside while he took over. Liam stopped crying right after I picked him up immediately and then puzzled about the hoo-hah that daddy did with the switching on of lights, checking his pupils/eyes, checking for bumps/swelling, checking for bruises on the limbs, checking for responsiveness to instructions etc. The little man thought that it was play time and was laughing and rolling away soon after – a good sign perhaps? – and I didn’t know how to feel. It sucked that I fell asleep during babywatching and this had to happen..yet I was relief that he seemed to display signs of normalcy pointing out to us where his eyes, nose and hair was when asked.
The Bo apologized for his harsh tone after, I didn’t take what he said too personally, resigning to how mums often bear the brunt of anything that happens – kid falling sick, kid injuring/getting hurt, kid getting scolded, kid misbehaving etc. from overprotective dads.
And that explains why I’ve decided to work through most of tonight so that I’d be able to check in on the little guy and know that he’s okay (we’re secretly hoping he was being cheeky as usual and wanted to climb down the bed safely but missed his footing due to the sleeping bag he had on). I know people often say that kids are stronger and tougher than they look. I believe they are, but when it happens to your own kid – boy that feeling just stinks big time.
In case you need a quick reference on what to do or monitor if baby falls, here’s some links which a kind girlfriend sent me earlier, coupled with some I googled on my own:
http://www.babycenter.com/0_falls_397.bc
http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/parenting/childhood-illnesses/head-injuries
http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/parenting/childhood-illnesses/fallsrolls-and-bumps
And if it makes you feel a wee bit better like how my dear friends made me feel on Facebook, their docs have told them almost all babies will fall from somewhere at least once in their lives. Some mums have kids fall 3 or more times before they’re one year old. Others have fell asleep accidentally while babywatching too. So take heart that we’re not alone and that it does happen (I know, I know, it still sucks when it happens to your own). As long as there’s no excessive sleepiness or any sort of vomitting, shivering or bloodshot eyes, it should be good. When in doubt, always see the pd.
Hey Babe! Don’t worry too much! At your little guy’s age, you will see more of that happening. J has fallen far too many times, in school and at home. To make things worst… J loves to climb onto everything and everywhere. Just remain calm and monitor… if they can still eat, drink, play, laugh… then they are fine.
Hey Sher, thanks so much for dropping by and reassuring me. Sigh, I think I grew more worried after seeing the overprotective daddy’s reaction. Hehe. Thankfully this morning L was such an annoying nuisance and that made me very relief that all was okay. 🙂 We should lunch again soon!!!