Inverness Sheriff Court heard how Rachel McIntyre was caring for a four-month-old baby last summer, and decided to take the infant with her on a trip to the local shop to buy vodka.
However, according to witnesses, the nurse was seen 'holding the baby by his ankles over her left shoulder and had her other hand on the pushchair'.
Fiscal deputy Roderick Urquhart said: "One of the witnesses turned to his wife and said: 'She is going to drop the wain.'
"They then saw her drop the baby and he fell on to the road surface.
"The witnesses said she was 'out of it.'"
The baby was rushed to hospital, where doctors discovered that an 11cm fracture on the left side of his skull.
Thankfully he has since made a full recovery.
McIntyre's defence lawyer revealed that the former nurse had struggled with alcohol in the past and, in the past year, had suffered a great deal in her personal life.
He said: "One of her two sons was diagnosed with epilepsy, her father was seriously injured in a road accident and she had a premature baby.
"She found it difficult to cope and turned to alcohol again.
"When I met her in the cells the following day, her first question was: 'How's the wee boy?'
"She has not been drinking since and has been receiving help and treatment. She is very contrite and knows she was wrong."
McIntyre has been ordered to carry out 150 hours unpaid work as an alternative to custody.