Really scary experience -- all mamas of little ones should read this...

[becoming]

We had a horribly scary experience yesterday. My friend and I took all of our kids (five in total, all ages 6 and under) to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things. I usually put my 21-month-old DD in the front part of the shopping cart (where kids are supposed to go) and my newborn's carrier down in the big part, but the babe was awake and being sort of fussy, so I put his carrier in the part nearest me so I could negotiate his pacifier for him. I put DD in the big part of the cart. She was staying seated, and I thought I was watching her well, although I kept having to sort of peer around the edge of the carrier to see her. I had gotten her a new dress off a rack, and she was holding it. The baby started coughing and sort of projectile-shot his paci out of his mouth, and both my friend and I were trying to find it.

The next thing I knew, DD flipped head-first out of the shopping cart and landed on the tile floor on her back with a "thud." It was the most horrible thing I have ever witnessed. I just knew the back of her head would be covered in blood when I picked her up. She immediately started crying/whining in a scared way, but she doesn't feel pain like most children (seriously), so she never cries out of pain, which makes it really hard to tell if she's actually hurt. Anyway, I scooped her up (probably a dumb idea, should have made her lay still for a while, but picking her up was my first instinct) and asked her, "Are you okay?" She looked up at me and said, "Yes" in a perfectly normal tone of voice, no hint of upset. Then she goes, "My drop my dress" and pointed at her new dress on the floor. Apparently she dropped her dress over the side of the cart and went after it.

So anyway, luckily she's not hurt at all, but she could have been seriously injured. I just wanted to share this so you mamas would think twice about putting your child in the big part of a shopping cart. I learned my lesson -- I will *never* put any of my kids in there again.

[greeny]

I'm so glad she's okay.

[CheapPearls]

Scary.

Stores have rules about having kids in the big part of the cart for that reason. I've done it but DS HAS to stay sitting down or he has to get out and walk. As soon as he stand up, he's out.

[alaska]

that is very scary! I'm so glad your DD was okay. And thank you for taking the time to post this PSA....
We had a VERY similar incident here where I live, but that little girl was not so lucky.

[Valkyrie9]

I know that "thud" sound. It's terrifying. I'm glad your daughter is okay!

[bigeyes]

I'm glad she's ok!

I learned when I worked in retail that you should never let your child stand in a cart because they tip when top heavy. The slightest lean over the edge can tip them.

Scary experience to have or witness.

[honeybee]

Scary. Ds has gone over the edge when shopping with dh before. I am just glad I was not there to witness it. He was fine by the time they got home.

[mommy2abigail]

I totally feel for you. DD flipped out of the cart IN A PARKING LOT!!!! She was standing and I was going sssslllloooowww, but I hit a tiny bump and out she went. She was fine, just scared, but I felt like the WORST mama ever. We now have a sit only rule.

[2Sweeties1Angel]

Ooh, I know how you feel. I used to let my older DD ride in the big part of the cart until she had an accident. She decided to try to climb into the seat part when I wasn't looking and ended up falling out of the cart somehow. I did catch her before she hit the ground, but it was scary.

Now she rides strapped into her stroller when she doesn't want to walk

[Jenivere]

My son fell out of the front part (where they are supposed to be) when he was 2 1/2. Hearing him hit the ground was terrifying, I scooped him up and cried my eyes out with him. There was no belt and I had my hand on the cart the entire time but I turned my head for just a moment and he tried to stand up to get something, I wasn't fast enough to stop him. My older two do get to ride in the big part on occasion, no standing is allowed.

[mightymoo]

Oh mama, I know that sound and that feeling too. I'm so glad your child is okay!

[Gr8ful Momma]

I'm glad your daughter is ok.

Here is a trick I use when I have to put one (of my twins) in the bucket of a cart, I use a belt and loop it through the cart and around the child. HTH if you have to do that again.

[lisac77]

My DS was in his infant carseat when he fell off the cart at Wal-Mart. The bar was up, so his body never even touched the ground, but I have not shopped at Wal-Mart since! I think that experience took at least 5 years off my life. It was awful.

That said I do let my son sit in the big part of the cart, because otherwise he whines and moans the whole way through the store. He is not allowed to to anything but sit, though, and luckily he is not inclined to stand up.

[Heavenly]

Originally Posted by lisac77

but I have not shopped at Wal-Mart since! I think that experience took at least 5 years off my life. It was awful.

What in the world does this accident have to do with shopping at Walmart? Its not Walmart's fault - accidents with shopping carts happen at every store.

[tiffer23]

Glad your little girl is okay. That would be so horrible to go through.

I would NEVER leave DS in the back, but that's because he's all over the place. I can barely keep him contained up front. I've decided it's time to break out the Kozy carrier again. I'm dying for a Beco, something easier to get on and off. He's just a little mess. lol. (Also 16 months, so very typical behavior for his age)

[Subhuti]

Glad you're all Ok, and thank you for the warning!

[bellymama]

i just don't like the idea of kids in those things period.

[Alana]

Originally Posted by Heavenly

What in the world does this accident have to do with shopping at Walmart? Its not Walmart's fault - accidents with shopping carts happen at every store.

TBH...if my child had a scary accident at a store, I dont think I would want to go back.

[sagewinna]

My son fell out of the front part of the cart when he stood up while my back was turned when he was 2. The sound his head made when he hit the ground was awful.

He also pulled a cart, with his baby sister, over onto himself by standing on the outside/side of the cart.

Oh, and he also got his fingers run over when he sat on the bottom rack once.

Carts are more dangerous than they seem!

[lisac77]

Originally Posted by Heavenly

What in the world does this accident have to do with shopping at Walmart? Its not Walmart's fault - accidents with shopping carts happen at every store.

Nothing other than their carts are awful in terms of size. I have the same problem with Kroger carts. The carrier fell off the cart in that particular case because the front part of the cart was too small for the carrier, but it wasn't obvious until the incident happened.

And yes, there was an element of "bad memories" involved. It was truly one of the scariest moments I've had as a parent so far!