Anyone Else Feel This Way? - Worcester,MA

Updated on July 07, 2010
C.C. asks from Worcester, MA
20 answers

So my son is 8 months old and VERY mobile/active. Everyday I feel like he has a new boo boo and it makes me soo sad and its even worse when were out and someone asks what happened I feel bad like I'm doing something wrong.. But we have child proofed but the silliest things happen! Like this morning he hit himself in the eye with a rattle and is red and starting to bruise.. Idk what I'm getting at but I feel like ppl look at me funny.. Is there anything I can do?

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A.G.

answers from Houston on

lol!

if there was a little rock in a feild full of pillows, my daughter would trip and land on the rock. That being said, this is why c.p.s. doesnt look for bruises on the legs and the face, they look for torso and upper arm bruises. Because kids are clumsy! my kids always have some sort of mark. and yes they get looks in public by people without children.

Ive learned to not really take to heart the judgement of childless people.

i wouldnt request financial advice from someone without a bank account either. lol

3 moms found this helpful

L.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

My son was a bull in a china shop for most of his life. Couple that with the fact that he was bald until he was three. EVERY mark showed!!! No hair to camoflauge all those head bumps!! At any given point in time, my son looked like he had been through a war. I fully understand the looks and remarks you get. But I look at it this way, if they have kids, they understand!! And be forewarned, it gets worse before it gets better!!! By around 3 or so, they start to get a little better control of themselves. That said, I have pretty good idea that skinned knees and bumps and bruises are going to be around for a while with an active little boy!

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E.M.

answers from Johnstown on

You can't childproof--nor should you--everything. Unfortunately, babies sometimes have to get hurt in order to learn. For example, sometimes they have to get burnt to know not to play with fire, or touch the stove/oven, curling iron, etc. They fall when they're learning to walk. Yes, babies will even take a tumble or two down a few stairs. No one is looking at you funny...it's part of growing up :)

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from San Antonio on

yes, you can stop worrying about it. Your son's body is amazingly able to heal and the little bumps and bruises are a part of life. It would be a shame if he picked up on your nervousness and sadness over it and it caused him to be a couch potato. Let him explore, let him get hurt (obviously be vigilant and careful as you are) but don't fret when the inevitable happens.

I know it hurts you, I remember how my heart broke the first time I saw my baby's blood come out of a boo-boo. Since then she's had stitches in her head twice -- once from falling while walking in socks on hard wood, and once from falling out of bed while asleep. I've seen her skull and went deeper than breaking my heart, I think something in my soul broke that day. But she's fine. She watched them stitch her up right between her eyes and never shed a tear. Simple shots have brought on hysteria, though. But I refuse to be the kind of mom who does not allow her baby to explore and enjoy her world. I encourage her to try new things, even if they seem a little scarey. We're a very physically active family and I think that freedom from worry is a gift that kids really grow from.

Life is bumpy. Enjoy the ride.

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N.B.

answers from Toledo on

Yes, forget about what other people think of you. We can't live our lives worrying about stuff we have no control over. You are taking good care of your baby--that's what you can control. All babies get bumps and bruises. I love to talk to babies in the store, and I may ask about a boo-boo, but I NEVER would assume it's from neglect-- I just want to interact with the baby.

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M.R.

answers from Chicago on

Try to think of it this way:

Despite your best efforts, you are never going to be able to safeguard your child from every possible injury or hurt. And you know what? That's absolutely okay! Kids learn a lot from failing, from bumping into to the tables or walls, from using their toys, etc. While it can be sad that your child gets a bump or bruise, know that it isn't permanent and that the damage will not be lasting. On the bright side you're allowing him to discover and explore his world, learn about what works and what doesn't and then adapt/adjust what he's doing to work toward a positive or desired result...all on his own without you showing him the right way to do it!

Yes, the eye is red and bruised but after a few more times of hitting himself in the face with the rattle he will figure out that "ouch, this really hurts! Maybe I ought not do it again." Or, maybe the bump and bruise doesn't hurt him and he doesn't care.

Now, I'm not saying don't childproof and let your child be in danger but I am saying that infants, toddlers, and children get bumps and bruises even under the most careful and protected of situations. You can choose to be so overprotective that the child becomes afraid to do anything out of fear that they'll hurt themselves (not saying this is what you're doing, btw) or you can choose to allow your child to explore and learn from his mistakes in a safe environment.

For what it is worth, my 6 month old's knees are always red because he crawls everywhere. It looks unsightly, but it doesn't hurt him. Should I discourage him from crawling because it looks bad, denying him the opportunity to learn more about his surroundings, learn how to get a toy he wants, learn how to interact with his world? Of course not!

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J.M.

answers from Boston on

Eh, just brush off those people. My son is a nut - somehow he had managed to break his ankle before he could even walk. I have no idea how he did it! People really thought I was a terrible mother when I said that! The best thing you can do is learn to laugh it off and enjoy your little bruiser.

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D.S.

answers from Houston on

Other than wrapping them in bubble wrap...no. I have a pretty low key daughter. She's not quite 3 and really a pretty easy child.

If there is a picture to be taken, a special event to attend, that is when all the bruises or bumped lips or even bug bites show up. And her bites swell so much that they look much worse than they are. And she does things like your son, as well. What takes the cake is when she does something to both of us, like a giant head butt or something. Then we are both their looking like we've been beaten, lol.

Any hands on Mom will know how it is, how bad a mosquito bite can look, how they can get themselves looking like they've been in a football game all in less than 5 minutes. There are so many things we can get down on ourselves about as moms. As long as he's safe, there's not too much else to do.

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H.L.

answers from Cleveland on

Sounds like he is a little bruiser :) I used to call my son "motor man, " and because my daughter used her forehead to push herself into a crawl on all fours, she had scabs on her forehead! For his little knees, you could cut up some of husband's old tube socks for knee pads.

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K.V.

answers from Phoenix on

My daughter has always been very rough and tumble as well and would bump and bruise herself all the time. I too felt the same as you buyt then just had to let it go. Know I just say she is made form sturdy peasant stock lol. Other parents understand and if they dont then oh well for them. Dont beat yourseldf up, its what happens to all kids as they are getting a hang of the whole movement walking thing :)

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J.V.

answers from Chicago on

Look at them funny! Get use to it, it only gets worse when they start to walk. My daughter's legs look awful! This is how I look at it: they are signs she is having a very fun and successful childhood!

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A.F.

answers from St. Cloud on

Don't feel bad.....we have all been there! :)
On this last Halloween, my daughter got a big cut on her forehead (almost needed stitches), a black eye and a cut on her lip. All from climbing chairs and falling when they tipped over. She looked like she had been in a dog fight! :)
The people who look at you funny either a) Don't have kids or b) Forgot what it's like!
Don't worry, mama! No one is going to throw a net over you!

B.C.

answers from Dallas on

Yep. It's just gonna get worse! My kids both started walking at 9 months, so you can imagine the bruises that they had! When my youngest was 11 months old, she busted her gums open on the fireplace edge! I felt horrible! But they are toddlers and these things happen. I just say, "who knows! She's always on the move banging herself here and there."

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S.B.

answers from Kansas City on

my little girl is always covered in bruises, and she's also very active. I try to keep her low key if we're going to take pictures, and if she manages to have one without a facial cut or bruise I feel like i've acheived something. :-)

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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

I'm one of those people who ask what happens... but it's because my own kiddo was a crawling/walking disaster. If you could fall on it, fall into it, run into it, get a friction burn from it, or whack yourself with it... he did. We're talking he ran head first into a brick wall when he was 3 requiring at stitches kinds of boo boos. He was a lightening fast crawler, and a late walker who never really walked but went from crawling to run/tumble/pick'me'self up/ run some more/ fall on his bum & scrape his elbow kind of kid.

So when I see *happy* babies and toddlers covered in boo boos, they melt my heart. They just remind me so much of my own. Awwww.... what happened? Cool "battle-scar"!

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A.C.

answers from Cincinnati on

My goodness, boys seem to get hurt a lot, don't they? My son finds the most creative ways to injure himself! Don't be too sensitive - if your home is a safe place for your baby to get his injuries, that's the best you can do! LOL. If someone says something or gives you a funny look, shrug your shoulders and say, "Yep, he's a busy boy!" Believe me, the parents of boys will understand - and everyone else doesn't really have any experience to judge.

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K.F.

answers from New London on

I'm sure every mom will assure you that exploring kids get bumps and bruises, and you're doing everything you can to protect him! So, I will add that others might ask, but it doesn't mean they think you beat him! I will take it one step further to say if you're concerned he's getting bruised easily, do not hesitate in taking him to the dr. My mom did when I was 5 and they discovered I had low platelets (ITP). If your gut has you posting here, trust it.

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J.B.

answers from Denver on

don't say anything- if someone makes mention of his baby war wounds- just say- he is just an very active baby and doesn't know his own strength! Just tell it like it is- my kids are forever falling, bumping, and smacking themselves or each other! It's not a big deal!

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T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

I would think most mothers of young children totally get it and the only people who are looking at you funny are old or out of touch with reality! ;) Hang in there. My daughter had bruises galore and my son, who is 9 months, is looking a lot like yours! ;) It's so hard, but it's okay!

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M.W.

answers from Boston on

Bumps are a part of growing up. My kids are very active as well and get their share of bruises. My question to you is do you feel like he is bruising to easily? If so, give your dr a call.

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