If there was a "Bad Mommy of the Year" award...

[diana_of_the_dunes]

I think I'd win it. I was coming downstairs from changing Ethan when I missed the second step and slid the rest of the way down (maybe 8 steps) on my back and butt.

Ethan is fine, since I was able to hold him to my chest the whole time (otherwise I probably could have stopped myself from going all the way down), and thankfully DH was home to take the baby then pick my sorry butt up off the floor. But I feel AWFUL. And I'm so, so sore. I really mashed my tailbone, and I'm sure I'll have a huge bruise.

I've been a mommy for barely 10 days and I've already put him in mortal danger... What if I'd fell forward?!

[Jenne]

If you would have fallen forward you would have clung him to you and protected his head with yours arms and hands and taken the fall on *your* front. You would have protected him and shielded him.

You are doing a great job!

You are NOT NOT NOT a bad Mommy at all!

You did your job...you protected him!

Rest and relax...tailbone injuries are no fun. Enjoy your babymoon...

Jenne

[confustication]

You did exactly what you were supposed to do- you protected him (at the expense of your tailbone, no less!)

I hope you heal fast thogh, as tailbone injuries HURT! Hug him and continue being a great mom to him. Try not to stress about being perfect, it won't happen, but you'll still be the perfect mom for him.

[StrongFeather]

carrying Sam down my stairs brings me SUCH anxiety each and every time, I actually visialize waht if every single time. You reacted wonderfully! no "bad mommy" award for you, your child is safe! Your tailbone? not so much.

[diana_of_the_dunes]

Thanks, Mamas... I know I did everything I could to protect him, I just feel terrible and I start crying every time I think about it. DH had to go back to bed, but my mom should be here soon to save me from myself.

[Auroara Bobcat]

I know how you feel. But you did nothing wrong. I will tell you the truth with my first child, he was probably about 5 weeks old, I was walking down *2* steps and I fell and droped my son! I felt so bad.
So feel really good about yourself for being able to *hold* on to your baby.

[2boyzmama]

oh honey...you fell! that doesn't make you a bad mommy, it makes you human! my neighbor actually did the same thing with connor when he was a newborn, exactly how you described it, and connor was fine. my neighbor felt horrible!!

my husband actually dropped ian...i had set ian in his carseat while i went to the bathroom. ian started fussing, so my husband picked up the seat to swing it a little. but the handle wasn't locked, and ian wasn't strapped in, so it dumped ian out face first onto the floor!! freaked everyone out, but ian was fine after some snuggles and mama milk.

it happens...somehow our children will survive their childhoods!!

[darcytrue]

It was an accident. You're being too hard on yourself (I know it's hard not to).

I'm glad he is okay and I hope you heal up super quick.

No stairs in my house but I fear I will trip on the 3 out front going to the car all the time and DD is usually already in her carseat or sling and I still fear it.

[The4OfUs]

Chiming in from new posts, I did the same thing with my son as a newborn, slid down the steps. You did exactly what you needed to do mama, you protected him and took the brunt yourself. Accidents happen.

If it will make you feel better, my son was just a few weeks old and I was newly home alone (DH stayed home for a week, then my mom, then my MIL so I had help for a while) - I was going to give him a bath and was apparently so tired that I was testing the water in the sink and laid him on the toilet lid (closed, but a small, slippery area and up off the floor ) in a nice snuggly towel, which he promptly slumped out of and landed naked on the tile floor. I watched the whole thing happen in slow motion and just couldn't get to him on time. I sat on the tile floor with him and sobbed for a half hour.

[diana_of_the_dunes]

Thanks again for all the nice comments I feel much better (emotionally) today and have a little more perspective. It's just very disheartening when the place that's supposed to be the safest for your baby (with me!) doesn't seem so safe anymore. I'm just so glad Ethan is fine.

Your stories did make me feel better. I totally understand watching things happen in slow motion; my little ride took maybe 2 seconds, but it felt like an eternity. Hopefully this is the last traumatic event for my hind end... I was just starting to feel normal again "down there"!