Try as parents might to watch over their baby at all times, the most life-altering accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. What do you do when your child suffers from a fall? Read on and be prepared for anything.
Baby Falls Down from Bed, Suffers Lasting Brain Damage
One of our biggest fears as parents is to have our children suffer from major accidents. Such was the case with baby Colton, the baby who fell from a queen-sized bed and suffered brain damage.
The baby’s mum, Paige Ferguson, 26 and her fiancé, Blake Linton, 31 were at their home in Arkansas, U.S.A. when it all happened.
According to People, Ferguson left her baby boy on a queen-sized bed. After just a few moments, she heard a loud thump.
“He started to cry immediately. I’ve never seen his dad move that fast ever. Blake dropped everything and ran into the room to get him,” she tells People, adding how she immediately noted a bump on the side of his head.
As a first-time mum, she was filled with dread. So she brought baby Colton to the doctor as soon as possible.
After he underwent a CT scan, the parents were horrified to find that he suffered a fractured skull.
Recalling the moment when they received the news, Ferguson says she just cried uncontrollably. She also blamed herself for what happened.
After an emergency brain surgery at a Memphis hospital, where the poor baby suffered a cardiac arrest, he miraculously survived.
After a month in the hospital, where he had another brain surgery and numerous blood transfusions, Colton was ready to go home.
Though his parents are thankful he made it through, mum Paige wants to warn other parents. Yes, her son survived, but he will be living with lasting brain damage.
Because of what happened, Colton now has severe epilepsy. He also needs to take medication to control seizures. As he grows up, he might also have difficulty walking and talking.
We know this little fighter is a true survivor!
What Should You Do If Your Baby Bumps Their Head?
Sadly, even simple bumps can cause serious internal effects. This is because children’s brains are rapidly developing, so any injury can cause lasting consequences.
When your child bumps their head, first stay calm. The first impulse would be to inspect the nature — severity, appearance, location — of the bump.
Next, observe your child for any untoward symptoms like fainting or listlessness. Some advice not to let a child sleep after bumping their head due to a possible concussion. But what matters is to keep them relaxed. Call your child’s doctor or bring them to a nearby clinic if possible.
Baby Falls: When Should You Take Them to the ER?
According to Dr Jen Trachtenberg, a paediatrician and parent in New York City, the easiest way to remember when to bring your child to the emergency room after a fall is to remember your ABCs: “airway, breathing and circulation (pulse).”
Check for these three things: if your child’s airway is clear, they are breathing and their heart is beating, then you can move on to assess for other injuries. If not, bring your child to the hospital without delay.
Moreover,
- If your child experiences a loss of consciousness or seems confused, seek medical attention right away.
- If your child has a severe headache, vomiting, or exhibits any other signs of a head injury, go to the ER immediately.
- If your child has a broken bone or an open wound, take them to the ER for treatment.
- If your child has trouble breathing or is experiencing chest pain, take them to the ER as soon as possible.
- If your child has a fever or shows signs of infection after a fall, it’s important to get them medical attention right away.
Other things to consider should also be the approximate height they fell from, as well as what type of surface they hit.
“As a physician, I like to know an estimate of from what height the child has fallen because over 3 to 5 feet increases risk,” said Dr Kelly Fradin, a paediatrician, parent and the author of “Advanced Parenting: Advice For Helping Kids Through Diagnoses, Differences, And Mental Health Challenges.
You’ll also want to take note of the type of surface your child landed on.
“Head injury from high distances or onto hard concrete floors can be severe,” said Trachtenberg, while soft grass or playground rubber/foam are less likely to cause injury.
Remember, if you’re ever unsure or concerned about your child’s health after a fall, it’s better to err on the side of caution and seek medical attention.
Baby Falls Down from Bed: Safety Tips for Parents
No one is at fault for what happened. The baby’s mum would not have left him on that bed if she knew there was this risk.
But the biggest takeaway here is: Do not let your baby sleep in an adult bed.
Baby falls down from bed: What can parents learn from this unfortunate incident? | Image source: Shutterstock
Yes, you can leave your baby in a room to sleep, but make sure you adhere to these safety guidelines:
- Put them to sleep on their backs.
- To avoid suffocation, make sure their clothing isn’t loose or too big.
- Clear the area of soft toys and small pillows to prevent choking and strangulation.
- Keep wires of mobile toys or lamps out of reach.
- Make sure the crib’s sheet is fitted and taut, so as to avoid suffocation.
- Do not use crib bumpers and other large, soft padding. They can do more harm than good.
- Make other caregivers know about these safety tips as well.
- If you have any concerns, or if you want to try any new methods to get a baby to sleep through the night, make sure to let your child’s paediatrician know!
Head bumps are a normal part of childhood. As a baby grows, they become more and more curious about their environment. Just make sure that in indulging their curiosity, they won’t be putting themselves at risk.
Updates from Camille Eusebio
HuffPost
*lead and featured images from: Paige Ferguson’s Facebook page
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