10-11-2009 - Warning!

My mood while writing this blog: Thankful

Hi My Dear Friends,

I just wanted to let you all know what scary thing happened to my sweet little baby last night so that you don't make the same stupid mistake I have...

My family and I had decided to go out to eat. Like we've done at least 50 times before and observed others doing it at least a 1000 times before, when we got our table, we flipped the high chair over to place the carrier inside. Even though Laya can sit up on her own now, she was extremely tired and we figured instead of putting her in the high chair sitting up, we would just use the "carrier part" so she could lay down and go to sleep while we ate. She only weighes 17 lbs and she wasn't thrashing about. It didn't seem like a big deal because like I've said, we've done this MANY times before. However, this night would be different. We had JUST gotten our food when all of a sudden, the high chair came out from underneath Laya, and her carrier flipped completely over onto the ground. She went from table top level to the floor face down. It scared me have to death!!! I immediately flipped the carrier over, unbuckled her, and took her outside. She was crying so hard, the whole restaurant gasped and fell completely silent.

Listen, these high chairs are NOT meant to be flipped over. Please do not put your babies in danger like I accidently did. I had seen so many people do it and thought that the high chairs were constructed to be reversable but I'm an idiot. They are not. Apparently, there have been children very hurt by this. One child even broke its neck from such an incident. Thankfully, Laya was not hurt and came out of the accident with not even a bruise or scratch. She had been buckled in and that possibly could have saved her life. It certainly kept her from actually hitting the floor when her carrier did. She was extemely scared though and so were we. Once out side, she calmed down and within 15 minutes she was smiling and playing. I am so beyond grateful. I just can't express to you how horrible I felt. Why hadn't it been common sense???

Nobody EVER told me not to do this. Nobody even suggested not doing it. So please, for me and for my little Laya, learn from our mistake. Do not flip a high chair over at a restaurant to use it as a carrier holder. If they don't have a slig, then put the carrier with the baby on the floor or in a booth!!! And if you see anyone or know of anyone who keeps doing it the other way, tell them not to. We need to pass the word that this use of high chairs is not acceptable. I think a lot of restaurants are starting to keep parents more informed and not letting them use it inappropriately but most don't warn you. We learned the hard way so you don't have to!!!

Love, Janna