"HELP, I've done something terrible to my 6-month-old baby!" What you need to know about a nursemaid's elbow

A pulled elbow, have you ever heard of it? I wasn't familiar with it until I experienced it myself a few years ago with our daughter Robin when she was just a few months old. What was supposed to be my first day back at work after maternity leave ended up being a long day in the hospital. The pain Robin was in, the panic we felt: you wouldn't wish it on anyone. That's why I am eager to explain more about a pulled elbow – the medical term is radial head subluxation – and more importantly: I'll tell you how to prevent it.

The first day back at work after maternity leave is no small thing. On one hand, you can't wait to trade in your mom-pants and dirty diapers for a day at the office, but on the other hand, you'd rather stay home all day cuddling with your baby. It's part of the experience, but one thing is certain: such a first day back is quite exciting. I remember my first day back after Robin's birth very clearly. Exciting, it certainly was.

It went wrong
I got up early, the alarm (read: Robin) went off early, and I took my time to dress her gently and comb her hair. While she sat babbling on my lap, I enjoyed the last hour before 'normal life' would resume. But when our morning routine was done and I wanted to turn Robin around to give her a big kiss, it went wrong…

What have I done?
During the turn, her arm got stuck between my body. Panic ensued. Robin started crying intensely. Although I didn't know what was wrong, I immediately realized this was serious. What do you do then? Your child is panicking and in pain, trying to tell you something, but you don't know what. Suddenly, I noticed her arm. She was waving one arm vigorously, while the other lay still beside her body. I remember exactly what I thought at that moment: "HELP, I've done something terrible!" I stood frozen and called my partner Alex. What panic: what's going on? Is it broken? What did I do wrong? Did I hurt my child?

From the doctor to the ER
Fortunately, Alex was sharper than I was: 'Call the doctor now'. We raced to the doctor who referred us to the VU hospital for an X-ray. What a nightmare and how long it all took. After several X-rays and explaining my story four times, a doctor finally came to see us after about two hours (!). He was the savior: Robin had a pulled elbow. And that on a Monday.

It's a pulled elbow
Robin's elbow had dislocated during dressing. With one smooth motion, the doctor put Robin's arm back in place. She immediately started waving both arms in the air. I was so happy and relieved. In hindsight, it turns out this happens more often with young children. Young children have little stability in their joints and ligaments, making it more likely for a bone to dislocate, especially during a quick movement.

How can you prevent a pulled elbow?
A pulled elbow often occurs during a quick movement. For example, during dressing (as with Robin), but it can also happen when your toddler is playing on the climbing frame. Another common cause of a pulled elbow is swinging your little one by the arms between two parents. For example, during a Sunday afternoon walk (hence the term). In short: don't pull too abruptly on the arm. If the arm dislocates, always go to the doctor, even if the bone has popped back into place on its own. X-rays will be taken to ensure no cracks or fractures have occurred.

I stayed home with Robin for the rest of the day. I was so glad she could move her arms again!

Be sure of yourself and take a first aid course for babies & children
Trust your instincts. You can assess the situation best. However, it's certainly helpful if you know what to do in an emergency with your little one. Because what do you do if your child is choking or even suffocating? In a first aid course for babies & children, you learn what to do in such an emergency.Here you will find more information.