A MOTHER has opened up on a “careless” mistake that could have killed her four-week-old daughter.
As a result, Lauren Parker, who lives in London, is now on a mission to share the “terrifying side of motherhood” parents often don’t talk about.
The brunette beauty and self-proclaimed “professional yapper” explained that when her daughter was just one-month-old, she was accidentally dropped down the stairs.
Opening up on the scary situation on social media, in a bid to raise awareness about the terrifying mistake, Lauren said: “My daughter nearly died when she was a baby because of my own carelessness.”
The mother confirmed that she was once in foster care, but when her baby was just two-weeks-old, they went and lived with her mum for three months.
One evening, at around 7pm, Lauren decided to give her baby a bath.
After the bath, Lauren got her youngster dried and dressed and as her baby slept, the mum attempted to carry her downstairs in a moses basket.
But the relaxed evening quickly turned into chaos, as the content creator took two steps down and tripped on her cat.
While Lauren managed to stay on her feet and keep hold of the moses basket, after catching her breath she realised that her daughter had “rolled down each step.”
Lauren acknowledged: “I’ve never been in shock like that since – If I had run after her, I probably would have reached the bottom step before she did, but I didn’t move – all I did was I started screaming.
“I thought I had un-alived her, I thought she was dead because she wasn’t moving – I genuinely thought my daughter was dead so I just sat at the top of the stairs crying.”
Lauren’s younger sister immediately called an ambulance and when they got to the hospital, they were rushed straight to the children’s A&E.
The mother recognised that her daughter’s eyes were half open and very “glazed.”
Not only this, but she claimed that her child was “completely washed out” and very “pale.”
In disbelief, Lauren felt “so much guilt,” but scans soon revealed that her daughter “was completely fine.”
I’m worried now people are gonna think I’m a really bad mum
Lauren Parker
Lauren claimed it was “pure luck” that her daughter did not end up with any permanent injuries and recognised that thankfully, her daughter didn’t have a single scratch or bruise.
Eager to raise awareness about the situation, Lauren explained that after sharing the story with some of her friends, they too have opened up about similar experiences.
How to baby-proof your house
IF you’ve got a baby coming very soon, here’s our top tips on how to get your home ready for their arrival…
Secure Furniture and Appliances: Use brackets or straps to anchor heavy furniture and TVs to the wall. Ensure that large appliances like fridges and ovens are stable and cannot tip over.
Install Safety Gates: Place gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Use gates to block off rooms that are not baby-proofed.
Cover Electrical Outlets: Use outlet covers or plates to prevent little fingers from poking into sockets. Ensure that electrical cords are out of reach or secured.
Lock Cabinets and Drawers: Install child-proof locks on cabinets and drawers, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. Store hazardous substances, sharp objects, and small items that can be swallowed out of reach.
Use Corner and Edge Protectors: Attach soft corner and edge protectors to furniture with sharp edges. Consider using them on low tables, countertops, and fireplace hearths.
Secure Windows and Doors: Install window guards or locks to prevent windows from opening more than a few inches. Use door knob covers and door stoppers to prevent pinched fingers.
Maintain a Safe Sleep Environment: Use a firm mattress and avoid placing pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals in the cot. Ensure the cot meets current safety standards.
Keep Small Items Out of Reach: Regularly check the floor for small objects that could be choking hazards. Be mindful of items like coins, buttons, and small toys.
Adjust Water Heater Temperature: Set your water heater to a maximum of 49°C (120°F) to prevent scalding. Always test bath water temperature before placing your baby in.
Use Baby Monitors: Place baby monitors in the nursery to keep an eye on your little one. Ensure the monitor cords are out of reach to avoid strangulation hazards.
By taking these steps, you can create a safer environment for your baby.
As a result, Lauren expressed: “I wish mums would share more stories like that and I know why we don’t, it’s because we’re embarrassed and we think people are gonna judge us – trust me, I’m worried now people are gonna think I’m a really bad mum.”
“I think it’s important to show this really terrifying side of motherhood that people don’t talk about, that you do make mistakes and some of them can end really badly and some of them are just pure luck,” she concluded.
Mums react
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @laurenparkerrrrr, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 254,300 views, 8,420 likes and 185 comments.
Numerous other parents raced to the comments, eager to express similar experiences.
One person said: “I had a similar accident with my son. Only a few weeks old, the cat knocked moses basket off the couch and my son fell onto tiles.
“I can never unhear that sound of him hitting the floor or the scream that came from me and I also froze. You’re not alone or a bad mother.”
I feel for you, a horrible accident but nothing about it makes you a bad mum
TikTok user
Another parent added: “My baby was a month and a half and fell down the stairs. We were renovating and the stairs were slippy. I cried for hours.”
A third commented: “I was going to grab a bottle for my daughter when she was a baby, about two to three weeks old, from the kitchen and as I passed through the threshold with her in my arms her little head hit the door frame.
“Felt like the worst mum in the world, but she’s 20 now, and absolutely fine.”
Not only this, but another mum shared: “I was eight months pregnant with my son and was carrying my 18 month old daughter down the stairs and slipped and fell down the stairs with my daughter. Luckily she was unharmed and so was my unborn baby but in the moment I thought I’d un-alived both my children at once.
“It was terrifying. I feel for you, a horrible accident but nothing about it makes you a bad mum.”
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