Did your child hit his head? Here’s what to do, according to experts!
As your child grows, he or she will be able to do more and more things. And because the child becomes more mischievous, the likelihood of experiencing unexpected events, such as being bumped, increases.
Should I be concerned if my child bumps his head?
Whenever our child hits their head, we can’t help but feel worried and angry at ourselves for letting this happen to them. Especially if we hear the loud sound of the impact, the child cries loudly, or they have a large lump.
But, should we be concerned every time a child bumps their head? Once a child learns to walk, they love to run and play. They often get off balance and can get knocked down. And as parents, our first reaction is to panic when this happens. We feel very worried and immediately check to see if there is a lump or if the bump is serious.
According to Dr. Angelica Tomas , a pediatrician from Makati Medical Center, it is common for children to get hit because of their mischief.
“It’s really common for kids to bump into things or even fall over, because kids are really naughty. Especially, babies who are spinning around, who can roll over. Then even older kids, who are running around. That’s a very common concern or worry for parents,” he said.
And while it’s natural for parents to worry when their child stumbles, the doctor’s advice is to avoid panicking, and check to see if their child is okay.
“Usually, what I always say is ‘Don’t panic.’ They shouldn’t panic in that situation. The first thing (to do) is to assess. They should look at their child, how is their child?”
The doctor added that most falls (especially in bed) do not cause serious injuries to children.
“It usually requires a certain height. Other studies say, usually 5 to 6 feet to really cause damage to the babies. Or, a very sudden blow to the head. So our beds are not usually high, usually 2 to 3 feet.”
When a baby cries loudly, does it mean that the shock is severe?
According to Dr. Tomas, a common reaction of children when they are hit is to cry, and this is not a sign that the child is in extreme pain.
“Most often, the child cries because they are surprised. It seems like they don’t expect it and when they get hit, of course it hurts. It’s okay if they cry, because they responded properly to what happened,” he said.
Also, some children react or get scared when their parents get scared or panic. That’s why the doctor reminds them that instead of panicking, parents should be alert and check if their child has a lump and observe them in the coming hours and days.
What to do when baby bumps his head
First aid for a child who hits their head
Here’s what you should do immediately if your child hits their head.
1. Rest the child and apply a cold compress to the affected area of the head.
According to Dr. Tomas, one of the things to check when a child hits their head is if there is a lump, and apply a cold compress to it for 20 minutes to reduce swelling.
“So if there is a lump, our only advice is to put cold compress. So they take ice and put it in an ice pack or even just wrap it in a towel. Usually, when there is a lump, it will go away on its own. But when we put an ice pack on it, it loosens it and lessens the lump,” he said.
2. Watch for warning signs.
After applying a cold compress to the child’s head, you need to watch their behavior after they calm down and recover.
According to Dr. Tomas, the main warning signs after a child hits their head are vomiting and loss of consciousness.
If you think your child’s concussion is serious, don’t hesitate to take him to the doctor. This is to make sure there is no serious underlying condition causing it, especially to your child’s brain.
Depending on the severity of the concussion, the doctor may recommend that your child undergo an x-ray and CT scan to make sure there are no fractures, blood clots, or hematomas. The important thing is to treat this as soon as possible.
3. Monitor the child closely in the coming hours and days.
After the accident, it is very important to continue to observe the child in the following hours and days.
Can the baby sleep after he/she has a bump?
It is best to keep the baby awake for an hour after the bump. However, if they feel tired from crying, they can still be put to sleep. Here is what Dr. Tomas says:
“After the accident, observe. If the child is sleeping more. They may wake up after the accident, because they are crying a lot, they are tired. But, if after 1 hour they are woken up and it is difficult to wake them up, that is a concern too. So it is really important to watch over the child for the first 24 hours.”
Remember, even if your child seems fine, it’s still best to observe him for 24-48 hours to make sure he hasn’t sustained a serious injury.
While your child is recovering, make sure they avoid strenuous activities such as watching TV or playing video games, using cellphones or gadgets. Also, do not allow them to play sports or play tumbling to avoid dizziness and vomiting.
When should you take your child to the doctor if they hit their head?
When a child hits their head, they may show different symptoms depending on the severity of the impact. Here are the common symptoms of a child hitting their head:
1. Lumps or bruises – Lumps or bruises are often seen on the side of the head that was hit.
2. Headache – The child may complain of a severe headache.
3. Dizziness or vomiting – This is usually a sign that a doctor needs to be consulted.
4. Confusion or lethargy – The child may become sad or less active.
5. Loss of consciousness or short-term memory loss – Although rare, these are serious symptoms of a child’s head injury that require immediate attention.
If a child experiences any of the above symptoms, especially vomiting, dizziness, or loss of consciousness, it is important to see a doctor immediately for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
If the child is hit hard, he or she may have a concussion or when the brain is shaken from the accident.
A child with a concussion or brain bleed may lose consciousness for a few seconds or minutes. Most people who have a concussion recover, but some develop serious illness.
Image from Freepik
Here are the signs that a child has a concussion:
- lost consciousness and could not speak
- dizzy
- headache
- had seizures
- confused
- feeling sick and vomiting
- blurred vision
- cannot remember what happened after being hit or cannot remember how he/she was hit
If you notice these symptoms in your child, take him to the doctor immediately.
How to prevent a child from hitting their head?
Head injuries, especially in children, are inevitable. Given their clumsiness, it is no wonder they fall or get hit in the process.
But it can be avoided if you make your house child-friendly or baby-proof. There are also head gears for babies that you can have them wear. Just like removing things that he can climb on and fall on.
If he or she is going to do an activity outside the home such as cycling, it would be a good idea to have him or her wear a helmet to protect his or her head in case of an accident.
Dr. Tomas added that children need to be closely monitored when they are in high places, such as when your baby is sleeping in your bed.
“Parental supervision is very important. Parents really need to be watching. They can’t just be placed next to pillows. Putting pillows is not enough,” he said.
Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry. So if you think your child may have a brain injury from a fall, don’t hesitate to call their pediatrician.
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Philippines
