Baby went underwater
Tonight I asked my husband if he would rather change the sheets on the bed, or give our 8 week old baby a bath. He chose the bath (which I normally do). I was a little nervous as he had never bathed him alone before (just watched me do it), but trusted they’d be fine. 4 minutes into the bath I hear my baby screaming upstairs. I was immediately worried since he loves his baths. I ran upstairs and my husband is holding him horizontal and smacking his back. He said he slipped in his tub and went underwater. I know it was an accident, but I’m honestly furious. It was a no-soap night, so it was just water, but obvs dirty water. We clean him well during diaper changes, but this boy poops a LOT. And I know when my husband changes him he’s not as thorough as me.
I’m worried about a few things;
1. Water in his lungs (and secondary drowning due to aspiration)
2. Bacterial infection from ingesting dirty bath water
3. Ear infection
Should I take him to the emergency room?
If this has ever happened to you please comment with your experience and if your baby was ok.
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Happed twice. He was fine. Although not as young as 8 weeks
I’ve heard multiple doctors say that the whole dry drowning thing isn’t what people think. This usually requires aspirating a large amount of water, like way more than going under the bath for a quick second and you would then see symptoms such as coughing and gagging pretty immediately, they don’t show up hours later. So if he seems fine as of now, he is very likely fine.
Just keep an eye on him I’d sleep with him and watch for any warning signs for the night!
If you feel uneasy go to the ER or urgent care just in case.
Does your pediatrician have a nurse line? I’d call that if it’s an option! I’d try to avoid the ER bc baby can pick up some really icky bugs there. I’d either call the nurse line or just monitor at home & call your pediatrician in the morning when they open.
I think he is probably fine but I would call the nurse line. In my area (children’s hospital of Atlanta) has a triage nurse line that you can call and they can tell you if they recommend you come through the ER or if they think you’re ok to monitor at home.
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