When my first child was 9 months old, we took a trip to Ireland. We were anxious about the long flight, but it turned out just fine. We were nervous about the lengthy drives through the countryside, and those went smoothly too. However, we were blissfully unaware that our hotel room and the king-sized bed would end up being our biggest concern.
As we embarked on the final leg of our journey, our well-behaved son had been nothing short of a champ. While he didn’t sleep on the plane, he also didn’t scream; instead, he curiously explored his surroundings and even made some fellow passengers chuckle. Total win, right? Sure, upon landing and picking up our rental car, he celebrated with a blowout that would put a leprechaun’s pot of gold to shame, but that’s part of the package.
What we didn’t anticipate was the inevitable event of him rolling off the bed. After placing our surprisingly well-mannered 9-month-old on that king-sized mattress, I stepped into the bathroom. A moment later, I found something amusing enough to call my partner in to share the laugh. Just as she entered, we heard a thud and then a wail. Our little one had toppled off the bed in a foreign land. There isn’t enough Guinness to ease that panic!
When your baby falls off a bed, couch, or chair — or if you mistakenly stand him up before he can walk and let go (yes, I’ve been there with a friend’s baby) — the rush of anxiety and guilt can be overwhelming. Did he break his nose? Is there a black eye? Does he have a concussion? Do babies even get concussions? How do I know if he’s okay?! And on and on. Most of these worries are unfounded. Spoiler alert: My son was just fine. Fast forward six years, and he’s thriving—especially if you measure thriving by how much mischief he can cause.
Statistically, when your baby takes a tumble off the bed, they will likely be okay. Those soft little heads are surprisingly resilient. Thank goodness for that, as I’ve yet to meet a parent who hasn’t experienced this little episode. Babies are quick — they can go from being stationary to diving off furniture in the blink of an eye. Thankfully, evolution has equipped them with squishy heads to minimize serious injuries during these falls.
However, for the parents, the stress can linger. That day in Ireland when our baby fell? We weren’t okay for hours (and definitely not after a few drinks). And just two months ago, baby number two took a spill off the bed—twice! But guess what? He’s fine too. If his constant grinning is any indication, he’s downright joyful. Maybe we should get him checked; it’s a bit weird how happy he is!
For more insights on parenting mishaps, check out our other blog posts, like this one on home insemination. Also, if you’re seeking expert advice on fertility, Make a Mom offers a wealth of resources. For pregnancy-related queries, WebMD is an excellent source of information.
In summary, if your baby rolls off the bed, rest assured that it’s a common occurrence and most likely nothing to worry about. Those little ones are built for resilience, and while it can be a heart-stopping moment for parents, it’s just one of many adventures in the journey of parenthood.