Charlie's finger

I recently joined a North London parents group on Facebook. When I asked for recommendations of things to do in the area, the response was overwhelmingly in favour of the Jolly Babies session at the Burghley Road children's centre.

I mentioned this to the girls and today, after we all met for lunch in Wood Green, Emily and I went. Katrina made it as far as the door but because Stanley was asleep she headed off. Charlie had nodded too but I brought the pushchair inside ready for him to join in with the playtime when he woke up - which was of course 5 minutes after he felt the motion stop!

The group is for children age 0-3 but the toddlers seemed to be mostly outside or in the room next door. Otherwise it was just 5 mum and babies in the baby room, and all seemed lovely. In the picture, Charlie is joined by Francesca, Oscar and Benjamin. They're all 5 or 6 months old so it seemed perfect.

And we were enjoying ourselves, right up until I was about to nip to loo with Charlie under the watchful eye of Emily. Charlie was lying on his back on the mat when a mum and her 22 months toddler Eli came in on their way to the bathroom. Eli made an immediate beeline for Charlie. His mother was right behind him so I tried to not be that paranoid parent and stepped closer but didn't immediately pick Charlie up.

Eli's mum was pregnant and Eli was being quite sweet stroking Charlie's stomach. He then put his head on Charlie's tummy. His mum was praising him for being sweet and I thought she was about to take him away as this had lasted long enough (yes, I am a paranoid mum) although Charlie was giggling his head off! Just then, Eli grabbed Charlie's finger and then bit it!!!

I was on the other side of Charlie so I didn't see the bite but everyone reacted. Well, everyone except Eli's mum who just said 'Oh, Eli, you tricked us!' then took him away to the bathroom. Charlie on the other hand looked absolutely shocked and then burst into a real heart-wrenching sob.

I feel so guilty for not picking him up earlier. Instead I was too worried about appearing like an overbearing first time mum! It took so h longer than normal to settle him (he rarely cries) . His finger wasn't bleeding but was bright red and looked sore. He then cried himself to sleep in my arms :( I've never felt so awful. I've spent 5 months protecting him from harm and he genuinely hasn't felt pain before - except for his jabs. I know I'm now overreacting but it really cut me up. I let it happen :(

Of course, once he woke up he was absolutely fine, although his beacon of a fingertip gives it away!