What To Do If The Baby Falls Out Of Bed?
It can happen to anyone – you don’t have to feel guilty for not being sufficiently present or ready. If your baby falls out of bed, avoid panicking and think carefully about what to do.
It is one of the worst experiences a mother or father can have. When children are very young, accidents are the order of the day but, fortunately, their young body can withstand most of them. In this article we will explain how to intervene if, by chance, your baby falls out of bed .
If the baby falls out of bed, stay calm!
Children’s bones are very fragile but also elastic, and fractures are infrequent. When a baby falls out of bed, the first thing you need to do is stay calm. Only by thinking clearly will you be able to think better and act consciously. So, you will have to decide whether to take the little one to the emergency room or if it was just a scare.
Furthermore, before acting, it will be necessary to take into consideration several aspects. First, the height from which it fell. The situation changes a lot, if a newborn falls out of bed, chair or sofa, depending on the height. If he fell while walking, of course, the impact will be much less. This first step is essential in deciding whether to simply call the pediatrician or go to the emergency room.
Do you see any blood?
Falls on the head or back are usually the most delicate. In these cases there are several aspects to analyze. Check for blood, look for the wound and reduce it by using gauze and applying soft pressure. If it doesn’t stop bleeding or the wound is obviously large, go to the emergency room immediately.
If the wound is small and the bleeding decreases rapidly, you can decide whether to wait and see how the situation evolves. Remember that there could be an internal bruise, a dangerous haemorrhage to the head, even when the damage is minor. If there is no bleeding, look for a possible lump, bump or slit to determine the exact area of the blow. In most cases, it will be sufficient to apply ice to the affected area, while paying close attention to the appearance of other symptoms.
Vomiting and pain
If your newborn falls out of bed and vomits immediately after the stroke, you will need to take him to the hospital immediately. It is, in fact, a symptom that should not be underestimated. Conversely, if the baby vomits after several minutes of intense crying, this is less serious.
It is normal that when babies cry, their throats can become irritated, leading to coughing and vomiting. But if this manifestation persists and the liquid is expelled with great force, you will need to contact your doctor. Pain is also synonymous with a complicated situation. If the crying passes after a few minutes, it is a passing pain. In case of repeated crying and excessive screaming, it will be necessary to run to the emergency room.
The newborn appears confused and disoriented
If your child is confused, disoriented or easily unconscious, you should take them to the hospital right away. And even if he appears very sleepy and it is difficult to keep him awake. Seizures are reasons for an immediate transfer, as well as any difficulty moving, seeing or speaking.
When a baby falls out of bed and shows nose and ear bleeding, don’t waste any more time and go to the doctor right away. It could also be a leak of cerebrospinal fluid. See the pediatric emergency room even when blood is visible in the sclera (the white part of the eye).
Visible deformities in other parts of the body, such as arms or legs, with bones out of alignment or inflammation on the scalp, are all symptoms that require the advice and intervention of a doctor. As well as if the pupil size changes or you notice unusual movements in the eye.
After the baby falls out of bed, it may be that he looks healthy and behaves normally. In these cases, the parents’ decision is usually to keep him at home and check for any changes. It will take at least 24 hours to detect any symptoms.
How to prevent your baby from falling out of bed
A fall cannot always be avoided, these are experiences that are part of the development phase of children’s motor skills. What you can do is prevent these falls from being overly serious. To reduce harmful consequences, there are several measures that you can easily put into practice. Start by protecting furniture corners, removing rugs and mats, or using templates made from non-slip material.
It is important to place safety grates at the beginning and end of the stairs and eliminate objects that could cause injury. Keep chairs and tables away from windows. If the baby is in the changing table or high chair, he should never be left alone as he can lean over and fall over. Also, when you bring it in your car, in its seat, make sure it is installed correctly and the seat belts are fastened.
