Baby Needed Stitches

[marylavelle]

Hello All,

Last Sunday, baby was cruising the table--I was in the process of going to pull her down when she fell.  I was not quick enough in my reaction time and she fell.  Poor baby hit her eyebrow and required 7 stitches.  Of course, I feel like the wound is visible proof that I am the Worst Mother in the World.  To top it off, DH f *** breaks his toe on the way the ER.  I have really been struggling since then...nervous, afraid....ugh.  I am very worried that it will scar.  Can I have anyone else's experience with this???  Will her face be scared forever?

[MrsGregory]

Oh no, what a mama nightmare!  You're not the worst mother in the world;   not even close!  It sounds to me like you're a good mother, worrying about your little baby.

I don't have experience with this in quite the manner I think you're asking, but I did want to drop in and say two things.

First:  the scar may indeed be invisible.  I speak from experience.  I lost a chunk of chin in 2005, and was glued instead of stitched.  (I was already a frequent flyer in the ER, due to being unlucky and accident prone.)  I have to trace the outline of the scar with my finger for anyone to notice, and even then, the have to be about 2 inches from my face.  Your baby may heal in such a way that even you can't see where she was stitched.  The human body is AMAZING in it's capacity to recover.  Your baby is very young, her body is still growing and certainly ready to heal.  I would bet that when she's my age, even she can't find that mark.  Have hope!

Secondly:  as a heavily scarred person, please, please, please don't lament in front of or with your little girl as she grows.  The most damaging comments I've received on my visible scarring is "What a shame.', as if I'm somehow ruined, or sullied.  There was an accident.  I was very badly hurt.  I lived through it.  Now I win every scar contest I get into.  It's still hard for me to think that way, because of the way society looks at me.  Seven stitches on an eyebrow won't be nearly as extensive as what I got myself into, but if the mark shows, give your baby the gift of a little swagger - now, when I'm rocking with my scars out, I'm just thinking to myself that it's no wonder I've never been mugged because I am clearly a bad-ass.  If she has a mark, and it's a big if, teach her to accept it for what it is - proof she's tough, can heal, and nothing else.

I'm so sorry you went through this!  I'm sorry poor husband broke his toe, and I'm sorry you're feeling so bad about what happened.  Be encouraged.  :-)

[marylavelle]

Thank you for taking time to respond!  Thank you also for hope.  It is my hope that it will be hardly noticeable.  I just want to let this guilt go, but it has been difficult  You response really helped me.  I will teach her swagger--"what a little monkey you were!!!" 

It is funny how the human mind will fixate on the negative.  Thanks for the infusion of positivity!!!

Love, mary

[Kindermama]

Awww we all have those moments! Put calendula cream on her scar and take a dose of homeopathic Aconite for yourself--it willcalm your nerves if you really truly are anxious & on edge! My DD3 has many scars on her face but they're not noticeable anymore! It will be okay!

[34me]

My ds learned how to walk before he learned how to break his falls and has a ginormous noggin.  He got his first set at 15 months, his second set at 24 months, his third set at 26 months (the day before my due date with his brother!) and he scalped himself on a car's side view mirror when he was 6 - so I speak from experience ;-).  All of these were to his face; over 100 when you count them all together.  When the stitches first came out the scars were all pretty noticeable.  However, use the ointment of your choice (vit e, calendula, Mederma, etc) and message the scar every time you think of it.  I kept the tube in my pocket and put him in a head lock and messaged several times a day.  And keep it totally out of the sun for at least a year.  Sunscreen, hat the works.

My ds is 15.5 now and most people don't notice them at all unless someone points them out.  I can post probably find some before and after pics if you want.  The scalping was impressive.

[marylavelle]

Thank you--I couldn't help but chuckle at the "scalping was impressive" line.  I am trying to "right size" this and not go off the deep end.  These responses really help.  Theresa is also all over the place--much more active and "climb-y" then the other kids I see at Mommy and me.  I think I need to get used to the fact she may get hurt, despite precautions.  I just keep reliving the accident--so pointless....

Thank you again!!!