Babies are beautiful gifts that need to be protected from any kind of danger from the very beginning. As a part of growing up, playing, and learning, they fall and hurt themselves. One such issue is a baby falling off the bed. This invokes a sense of guilt in the parents. Not to worry anymore, as we are here to help you in getting out of this situation in an easy way and keeping you informed about how to deal with a baby falling off bed.
Most of the parents, nowadays, build a nursery and choose to put their babies in a crib during the initial years. However, another section of the parents likes to have family bedtime. One of those dangers associated with family bedtime is the chances of the baby falling off the bed. Fortunately, the majority of falls from the bed will not end up in serious injury. However, in a few instances where the baby falls from three feet or more, some serious issues like head injuries can occur. In this article, we shall throw some light on the ways in which you can safeguard your baby from falling off the bed.
In This Article
- What Should You do if Your Baby Falls Off the Bed?
- Initial Checking
- Dealing With the Bump on Your Infant’s Head After Falling Off the Bed
- What are the Signs of Concussion in a Baby?
- When Should You Call the Doctor?
- How to Prevent the Baby From Falling Off the Bed?
- FAQ’s
What Should You do if Your Baby Falls Off the Bed?
For all the parents entering into the new phase of parenthood, a baby falling off the bed is one of the most common and frightful issues. First of all, it’s important that you don’t panic and understand that it can happen to any parent. Secondly, you should be very gentle while holding the baby after the incident. Next up, check for any injuries and head bumps that might have occurred after the fall.
Closely watch your baby for the next 24 hours after the incident. This is because you can’t overlook the chances of a head injury as the skull of the baby is not as strong yet and the symptoms of a concussion may not appear right away. However, if the baby is under one year old, you should consult a doctor about the incident.
Initial Checking
Did you hear a thump while you were asleep? If yes, your baby might have just fallen off the bed, and it’s time to follow some crucial steps to avoid any further mishaps:
- Begin the process of initial inspection by checking if your baby is conscious or not. Sometimes they appear unconscious initially and regain consciousness rather quickly and start crying. However, if the baby remains unconscious, take them to the hospital immediately. Movements should be gentle, or else, they may aggravate the baby’s injury.
- Once you find out that your baby has fallen off the bed and started crying, quickly comfort the baby and check for signs of any physical injury.
- If there are any injury signs, you need to call your doctor immediately.
Dealing With the Bump on Your Infant’s Head After Falling Off the Bed
If the baby fell off the bed and hurt its head, there is surely a possibility of your infant getting a bump on its head. The bump can be handled easily using a cold compress and it ought to disappear in a few hours. However, if the situation is serious and the bump still prevails and starts to feel squishy, it’s time to seek medical assistance.
[Read : Head Injuries In Children: When To Worry About It?]
What are the Signs of Concussion in a Baby?
Typically a concussion occurs when a blow to the head causes the brain to jolt in the skull. Here are the signs that indicate a concussion in a baby:
- Vomiting
- Sleeplessness
- Inability to eat
- Inconsolable crying
- Extended periods of quietness
- Temporary loss of acquired skills
When Should You Call the Doctor?
There are a plethora of situations when you should think about calling a doctor:
- In case of any detection of broken bones.
- If you see any bruises or cuts on your baby’s body that are bleeding.
- Continuous crying of the baby is also a clear signal for you to call the doctor.
- Your baby’s eyes have blacked out, or the pupil’s size varies after the fall.
- If your baby experiences some concussion.
- If you detect some physical deformity.
- Bleeding from the nose, ears, and eyes may indicate internal bleeding.
[Read : Baby Safety- Crib and Baby Bed Safety Tips]
How to Prevent the Baby From Falling Off the Bed?
We all know that prevention is better than cure. Therefore, following a few steps can help prevent this situation from occurring in the first place:
- Remove the bed frame and use mattresses under the baby’s bed to cover the floor. This will help in reducing the impact on the baby’s head if they fall.
- Always place pillows on either side of the baby to prevent the baby from rolling off the bed.
- When your baby is old enough, you can teach them to get off the bed safely, by sliding off on their belly.
- Place a soft carpet, on the floor, next to the bed. This minimizes the injury, in case the baby happens to fall.
Taking such steps and preventive measures will ensure that your baby does not fall and hurt itself in the first place. As parents, this is crucial so that your little one does not end up hurting itself, temporarily or permanently.
As you have known above, baby falls can be easily treated if parents consider following the right steps in a perfect way. Not only will it reduce the impact of falls if any, but also enhance the safety of the baby. Protecting the baby from these falls is an important step towards child safety and must be taken care of in the best way.
[Read : Shaken Baby Syndrome: What Causes It And How To Treat It]
FAQ’s
1. Can a Baby Falling Cause Brain Damage?
The short answer is no. Having a baby fall and hit its head does not necessarily result in brain damage. Despite being delicate and sensitive, the baby’s head protects the brain. To be considered brain-damaged, the fall must directly impact the brain. For this, the bed must be very high and the floor must be very hard.
2. Can a Baby Get Shaken Baby Syndrome From Falling Off Bed?
Even though their heads and necks are fragile, babies are unlikely to get shaken baby syndrome from falling off the bed.
3. Can Babies Get Concussions From Falling?
Injuries to the brain that affect normal functioning are referred to as concussions. It is true that babies can sustain concussions from falling off the bed.
4. How Do You Check For a Concussion at Home?
After a fall from bed, you should look out for the following signs to determine if the baby has suffered a concussion:
- Vomiting soon after the fall
- Unstoppable crying
- Unresponsiveness
- Bumps or bruises on the head
- Loss of energy
- Changes in sleep patterns (sleeping more or sleeping less than usual)
- Changes in eating habits
Read Also: Fall Prevention in Babies
