Written by Editorial Team
Yes, handling a growing baby is not an easy task! Their first roll-on bed, the first crawl, the first step, the first jump – you will remember it all. And once they learn all that, there is no stopping them. While they use their new attained superpowers, stumbling and falling become inevitable.
“Falling is a normal part of the way a child develops -learning to walk, climb, run, jump, and explore the physical environment. Fortunately, most falls are of little consequence and most children fall many times in their lives without sustaining much more than a few cuts and bruises. But some falls go beyond the resilience of a child’s body, making them the fourth-largest cause of unintentional injury death for children. Non-fatal falls also represent a significant burden on health care facilities around the world. The frequency of non-fatal falls, health care costs, and the significant risk of death (particularly as a result of head injuries) demand that the prevention of fall-related injuries becomes a vital focus of child safety efforts worldwide”–WHO Report
Falls are a major cause of injuries among babies. For this second, they will be right in front of your eyes being all cute; and the next second, they tumble down on the floor. Genius! Aren’t they? They manage to fall from the bed, staircase, cradle, veranda, swing, furniture, balconies, or even slip and fall on the floor. Falling down the stairs is one of the most common accidents. Their cry will make you rush to the Emergency Room.
Most of the time, just bumps, bruises and cuts heal themselves in a few days. But sometimes a fall results in serious injuries like fractures and head injuries that, in rare cases, might lead to death. So, educating yourself about fall prevention is a must to protect your little one.
It is also important to note that infants and small children are top-heavy, that is, they have large heads and are toppleable. So, in case of any unwitnessed fall, it’s better to assume that the head has hit the ground first and measures need to be taken accordingly.
Due to their restless and clumsy nature, babies fall down more often than you predict. So, if your baby falls, don’t think of yourself as a bad parent. Read along to know all the fall prevention tips to help lessen the chances of babies falling.
Falling from the bed while sleeping is highly possible in the case of babies. Taking these precautions will ensure your infant does not fall off:
If there are stairs at your place, once your baby learns to crawl, install a baby gate. Keep the gate locked while your baby is unattended. Make sure they meet all safety standards and the baby should not be able to climb that in the future.
Parents may not even realize that having furniture around a baby can lead to accidents! Ensure your baby does not get hurt by following these safety measures:
[Read : Childproofing Your Home]
Slippery floors can spell doom for a baby and can hurt them bad. These tips will help in making sure your baby doesn’t hurt itself if the floor is wet:
Parents love to see their little hearts taking their first steps and learning to walk. However, you need to make sure that there are no obstacles on the way to avoid tripping and falling!
Balconies are danger zones for babies who may try to climb them and fall.
Besides the points above, parents must pay heed to these as well to ensure the safety of their infant.
Firstly, pick your baby up and try to console them. Check for the wounds or injuries if any.
Fall prevention in babies cannot come from mere luck. You, as a parent or caregiver, never want your baby to get hurt. So, make sure to follow the fall prevention tips mentioned above and you will be able to avoid serious injuries among babies.
[Read : Head Injuries In Children]
Even if your baby seems fine after falling, keep an eye on their behavior over the following 24-hour period even if it doesn’t seem like an emergency. After you’ve passed that 24-hour mark, you are less likely to encounter any frightening situations with your little one.
It depends on the situation. When your baby gets a small bump on its head, if it does not bother them for long, they can take a nap. The only concern is if they falls asleep right away. Do your best to keep your baby awake and seek medical care immediately if you suspect a more serious head injury.
In general, concussion symptoms appear within 24 hours after hitting the head. Some concussions, however, may not show up for up to three weeks.
Ensure that your child rests until all symptoms subside. If your child wants to sleep, let them, but keep monitoring them. Wake the child up after 2 hours of sleep. Make sure the child is conscious and alert and knows who you are. Also, make sure the baby is able to walk and talk normally (if the baby is big enough)
Read Also: Head Injuries In Children – Warning Signs And First Aid
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