Exersaucer troubles

DogLoverX3 · April 2016

I need to know if I'm overreacting(we've got a lot going on with Charlotte and I'm tired and emotional sometimes lol). I nanny 3 kids-4,7,10. Today while getting the 4 year old ready for preschool, the 7 and 10 year old were playing with Charlotte in the exersaucer they have. I was peering over periodically from the next room-the house is all open. As I was putting the 4 year olds hair up, the 10 year old walks over and asks should he be doing that? I look over and the 7 year old is rocking the exersaucer hard and fast and Charlotte is spinning in a circle with it. I scream obviously, he stops. Charlotte is smiling and has good head control-she is strong. But her head was leaning a little like when you are doing a crunch and lift off the floor without your arms behind your head. Trevor said she went around 3 times before he came to get me-the 10 year old. So I'm going to guess by the time I looked up and screamed, she went around 6-7 times. She was happy. No sign of stress. I never dreamed a 7 year old would do something like that?! The 4 year old maybe. The 10 year old said her head never went all the way back. I called the pediatrician-apparently exersaucers arent recommended by them and I put it back in their basement. They said she is probably fine and to keep a close eye on her today. I'm scared of shaken baby syndrome. I'm mad I didn't think of him possibly spinning her like that. She's been fine all day so far-her normal self. Would anyone take her in anyway? Am I overreacting? I don't know how much more I can take. The dad was home this morning too eating breakfast in the kitchen where I was doing the little ones hair as she finished breakfast. He never said anything :-(. Just looking for others thoughts on what they'd do? Thanks guys! Maybe those that have older kids-anything like that ever happen?

Squirtgun · April 2016

I think I would trust the pediatrician- did they give you any signs of things to watch for? I know when my older daughter gave herself a concussion (2yr old, not this young) they said to look for- unusual sleep (either not able to go to sleep or not able to wake up), unusual eating (refusing to eat or eating very little), vomiting, not able to do things she is usually able to do, abnormal energy (really hyperactive or really lethargic), over the top fussy, or just any out of the ordinary behavior that makes you think that something is wrong.
From what you say, she's acting like herself. I would definitely keep a close eye on her, and make sure the pediatrician knows what happened. And it sounds like you're doing both!
I'd probably also sit down with the older kids and talk about what appropriate play with a baby looks like, and definitely reinforce to the one who came to you how greatful you are that she came to you!
I know you've got a lot going on with Charlotte anyway, but I don't think you're overreacting to be worried.

DogLoverX3 · April 2016

Squirtgun said:

I think I would trust the pediatrician- did they give you any signs of things to watch for? I know when my older daughter gave herself a concussion (2yr old, not this young) they said to look for- unusual sleep (either not able to go to sleep or not able to wake up), unusual eating (refusing to eat or eating very little), vomiting, not able to do things she is usually able to do, abnormal energy (really hyperactive or really lethargic), over the top fussy, or just any out of the ordinary behavior that makes you think that something is wrong.
From what you say, she's acting like herself. I would definitely keep a close eye on her, and make sure the pediatrician knows what happened. And it sounds like you're doing both!
I'd probably also sit down with the older kids and talk about what appropriate play with a baby looks like, and definitely reinforce to the one who came to you how greatful you are that she came to you!
I know you've got a lot going on with Charlotte anyway, but I don't think you're overreacting to be worried.

Ok! I did all that! Glad I got something right :-/ Thank you!

rachswi · April 2016

I would have flipped out too. We have an exersaucer for our son and he enjoys playing in it, but I don't have any other kids that would possibly spin him around in it, and I usually limit his play time to 15-20 minutes (if he even makes it that long lol. He usually feels to constrained by it and wants to move more). I'm not sure if we'll let future kids play in it for the reason you gave.

If Charlotte seems unfazed and like herself then I think the pediatrician's advice of just watching her should be fine

VexedMommy · April 2016

I agree completely with @Squirtgun. Check for anything unusual, but absent anything out of the norm she's probably fine. I know this kind of thing is scary, especially since she is your first and has additional health issues, but kids are fairly tough.

DogLoverX3 · April 2016

Thanks everyone! I'm feeling a little better!

Ceridwen77 · April 2016

I'm sure this is scary and I would have freaked out too. But I'm also sure this isn't the first time an older kid has had this bright idea. Shaken baby syndrome is the result of very violent shaking, not spinning. While I wouldn't want that to happen again I'm sure she'll be fine. Just be diligent about any unusual behavior, which I'm sure you already are. Good luck!

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