The baby fell off the bed? Instead of panicking, pause momentarily and examine the child for even the minute injuries.
Chances are, if the baby fell from a short height, they would be completely alright, just a bit alarmed and frightened, which you need not be worried about.
Precaution is better than cure; we all know this well, especially with the little ones. But babies are fidgety and fall during their sleep even after taking safety measures to avoid the fall.
If you ever feel the baby is more than just alarmed and see severe injuries, you must immediately call the doctor.
But that would still take a little time of yours, so don’t worry. We have prepared a guide for you to examine what best can be done to examine your baby after the fall.
Read till the end to get the best idea about the steps that you can take.
Examine the Child
When a baby falls off in their sleep or while playing, he/she starts crying.
In a situation like this, the parents’ or caretakers’ first and foremost duty is to be calm and check if the fall led to any severe injury.
Do not move the baby instantly until there is a possibility of further injury by staying in that place.
Move the baby slowly and gently while caring for the neck and spine; keep them straight.
Comfort the baby and check for any bruises around the head. The area above the neck is very fragile for babies below the age of 1 year.
Possible Injuries
When a baby fall off bed or stair, there are a few possible injuries whose severity could be threatening and that you should check for:
1. Concussion
A person might face a concussion if they experience a sudden jolt or blow to the head. And babies, especially those with fragile bodies, are more prone to concussion.
Concussion cannot be detected immediately; it has cognitive effects on the brain. The symptoms in babies are:
- Loss of consciousness
- Vomiting
- High pitch crying
- Irritability
- Excessive sleepiness
- Refusal to eat
2. Bone Fracture
Baby bodies, being fragile, need special attention. Falling from a certain height can fracture any body part, including the skull.
Symptoms of bone fracture in a child include:
- Swelling
- Depressed area on the head
- Bruising
- Pain
- Deformity
3. Scalp Injuries
Falling can lead to injuries on the scalp in the form of cuts. The blood vessels can bleed out, and the situation might look more serious than it is.
If there’s a deep cut, press the bleeding area with a clean cloth, and if the injury looks severe with a bump or swelling, you must contact a doctor.
Cases When You Need Emergency Room
Sometimes, we are unable to recognize the severity of a fallen baby case. You must notice certain symptoms until the next 24 hours of the baby’s fall to check the need for the ER.
- Sleeping all-day
- Being inconsolable
- Bulging of the soft spot in front of the head
- Pupils inconsistent
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Change in balance or coordination
- Vomiting
If you see any of these symptoms or any unusual activity in the baby, contact the doctor immediately.
Preventing Injury
Babies need special attention, and they deserve it. It is important to check their sleep pattern and protect them from falling during their sleep.
Do not place them on adult beds when sleepy since the bed height is a little too much for the kid.
If they sleep on an adult bed, someone should watch them.
You can also place pillows and cushions on the sides of the baby while they sleep. Make them sleep on a crib with a tight-fitting mattress and sheet.
Also, the bedding should be intact and not soft, as it could trap or suffocate the baby.
Final Words
Whenever a baby falls, do not react instantly but respond to the situation. Analyse if the baby needs basic lap comfort or medical care.
Apart from the neck and head, check the baby’s overall body to acknowledge any changes after the fall.
Try to keep the baby as safe as possible, especially when they are below the age of 1 year.
Even though accidents might occur at any given time, you should not panic and try to calm the baby as much as possible.
Hope this guide will be of great help to avoid any threatening concerns in the future.
Do share your inputs if more points need to be addressed if the baby falls off the bed
