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It’s normal for babies to tumble off a bed while sleeping, which can be terrifying and a loud awakening.
Don’t be alarmed if this happens to your child. A fall from a bed rarely leads to serious injuries, but preventative measures should be made.
Injuries, however, can occur. If your infant falls, stay calm, check if they’re bleeding or unconscious, and monitor them. Additionally, comfort your baby as they may be in shock because of the mishap.
In this article, we’ll guide you on what to do if your baby fell off the bed on their face. We’ll also tell you about some preventative actions you can take.
What to Do if Your Baby Has Fallen off the Bed Onto Their Face
Contents
Here is what you need to do if your baby falls off the bed:
Remain Calm
First, stay calm and don’t panic. If there are indicators of discomfort, staying calm will make it simpler to deal with them.
Some infants will weep intensely when they fall out of bed. But if you carry and distract them, they’ll immediately brighten up. In this scenario, there’s nothing to worry about as the baby is fine.
However, if your child continues to cry or appears unresponsive, you should check on them.
Check if They’re Conscious
It might be difficult to detect if a newborn has any injuries. However, there are a few clear indications to check for.
One of the first things you need to check is if they’re conscious or not. If they appear unresponsive, it could be a symptom of a severe injury. Make sure the baby is not moved and dial 999 as quickly as possible.
Check if There’s Any Blood Loss
If you notice bleeding, you should get medical assistance. In the meantime, you need to stop the bleeding. Use a cloth and carefully press down on the area. If your child doesn’t appear to be seriously hurt, softly pick them up and calm them.
Examine the head for signs of wounds other than the bleeding.
Check to See if There’s an Obvious Injury
Moving a baby who has had a head injury can result in major health problems. It’s alright to carefully move the infant to a safe spot if they’re in danger of falling again or becoming wounded.
Inspect them for signs of injuries. Check for bumps, bruises, and scars. Pay extra attention to their heads as wounds there could be fatal. Additionally, examine the baby’s limbs, chest, and the rest of the body for broken bones or bruises.
Here are some of the possible injuries:
Skull Fracture
Infants with a skull fracture may have:
- An indented spot on the head
- Transparent liquid seeping from the eyes or ears
- Bruising or swelling around the eyes or ears
Scalp Injuries
The scalp of an infant is thin. It has several blood vessels. Even a slight scratch can cause bleeding. But don’t be alarmed; it’s usually less serious than it appears.
A lump or swelling on the baby’s head may result from the bleeding. Healing usually takes only a few days. If it doesn’t heal by then, it could indicate a more serious issue that needs attention.
Broken Bones
Frequently, the baby would land on his arms, resulting in broken bones. Deformation on the body that seems to be a bone fracture should be treated urgently at a hospital.
5. Cuddle and Support Them
Your infant will almost certainly be in a state of shock. Pick up and comfort the baby if they appear to be in good health and show no symptoms.
To distract them, use toys or books to help them relax. You can also hug and hold them and sing them a song.
6. Monitor Them
Even if your baby shows no signs of injury, it’s critical to monitor them following the accident. For the next 24-48 hours, keep an eye on the baby because some symptoms may not show up right away.
If the baby doesn’t exhibit any signs of trauma within those hours, then the baby is fine.
Those are some of the signs that you should look for during the monitoring time:
Signs of Concussion
Signs of a concussion in newborn babies include:
- Agitation
- Throwing up
- Crying when you move the baby’s head
- The baby may either sleep more or less than usual
- Bump or bruise on the head
Signs of a Fracture
If you suspect your baby has a fracture, look for the following signs and symptoms:
- Discomfort or soreness at the injured spot
- Unwillingness to move or use the afflicted area
- The wounded area looks unusual and has an odd shape
- Around the injury, there may be inflammation or redness
Signs of Brain Injury
In infants, the following symptoms indicate a brain injury:
- Changes in the way the baby eats
- Irritability that is unusual and frequent
- Sleeping patterns have shifted
- Crying that won’t stop and a difficulty to be soothed
- Seizures
Prevention
If your baby falls off often, then it’s a problem that needs a longer term solution. There are many ways in which you can prevent your child from falling off the bed:
- Place bed guards on all four sides of the bed
- Lower the bed closer to the ground
- Add cushions around the bed
- Position the bed against the wall
- Sleep with the infant in the same room.
- Use a cot or move back to using a cot
Conclusion
Seeing your baby fall off the bed and land on their face can be a frightening experience. Your baby, on the other hand, might be okay. During the first day or two after the incident, keep a lookout for major or minor injuries.
If your child frequently falls out of bed, you can install some prevention measures. You can use a bed guard or position the bed against a wall.
Your baby will now be able to sleep soundly without any injuries.
