It’s a mother’s worst nightmare. You gently place your baby on the bed while you quickly hang up a shirt in the closet or put the socks in the draw. The next thing you know, your baby has rolled off the bed and is on the floor screaming. Guilt overwhelms you as you rush to check over your baby and try to console them. You feel terrible; how could you have let this happen? But the truth is this situation has happened to even the best of us. Likely to all of us at some point. In fact, statistics support this argument.

Falls are the number one cause for infants and children seeking hospital treatment in Australia. Most commonly, children roll or fall off the bed (including bunk beds), the couch or change tables. Surprisingly, the most common injury sustained from falls from furniture is normally bruising to the face however it is important that after a fall, you closely monitor your child in case they have more severe injuries.

When to seek medical treatment

If your child has a fall and is knocked unconscious, seek medical treatment immediately at your local hospital or call an ambulance. Do not leave your child unattended. Medical treatment should also be quickly sought if your child loses consciousness even for only a moment, if they seem unwell or vomit soon after the fall.

Children can often become weary after a fall, particularly after crying a lot or if it is close to bed time. If your child shows no signs of being unwell after the fall, then it is ok for them to go to sleep. You may also like to give your child a dose of paracetamol or ibuprofen for the pain. If your child shows signs of being extraordinarily sleepy and dazed, then you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

As you are in the best position to know your child, if you have any concerns or doubts, for peace of mind there is no harm in seeking medical treatment.

Bruising

Your child is highly likely to obtain some bruising when they have had a fall. Bruises can be treated using an ice pack or by pressing a pack of frozen vegetables onto the bruise. Remember to never place these items directly onto the skin but to wrap them in a tea towel or similar cloth beforehand. The bruise will be there for a few days but if swelling hasn’t reduced after a couple of days, you should take your child to a doctor for assessment.

Preventing Falls

Although it is almost impossible to stop an adventurous toddler from climbing the couch and falling from it, there are some tips you can follow to help preventing falls from furniture.

If you place your baby onto a bed, couch or the change table, always keep one hand on them to prevent them from rolling off
Always use straps on items like change tables and high chairs
Look at furniture from the point of view of your child. A bookshelf or chest of draws may be the perfect opportunity for them to use it as a ladder
Ensure bookshelves and similar furniture are secured to prevent them from pulling furniture onto themselves
Place items on low shelves. Putting them up high and out of reach may in fact encourage your child to climb

When your baby falls from a bed, it is the most terrifying feeling in the world. Again, it happens to the best of us. The important thing is to make sure you seek treatment if you have any doubts. You will not be judged. After all, this is the most common reason our kids are seeking medical treatment.

Has your child fallen from the bed? What did you do? What tips do you have to prevent this from happening?

If you become concerned about your (or anyone else’s) health, please seek immediate medical attention or go to our health hotlines and website post for further resources https://www.stayathomemum.com.au/my-kids/babies/important-hotlines-websites/

SAHM takes no responsibility for any illness, injury or death caused by misuse of this information. All information provided is correct at time of publication.

References

Injury statistics in young children AIHW (Australian Institute for Health and Welfare)

http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=6442459652

Head injury WA Health

http://www.pmh.health.wa.gov.au/health/docs/HF%20CAHS%20247.pdf

Head injury SA Women’s and Children’s Health Network

http://www.cyh.com/healthtopics/healthtopicdetails.aspx?p=114&np=304&id=1475

Falls Prevention Royal Melbourne’s Children Hospital

http://www.rch.org.au/rchcpg/hospital_clinical_guideline_index/Falls_Prevention/

Preventing Falls in the Home Kid Safe NSW

http://www.kidsafensw.org/imagesDB/wysiwyg/PreventingFallsintheHome2013.pdf

Fall in Children AIHW report