Dr. Komarovsky: What to do if the baby fell out of bed?

Accidents can occur quickly, particularly when they involve our young children. It’s normal to feel scared and uncertain about what to do next if your baby has fallen off the bed. Respected pediatrician Dr. Komarovsky provides helpful guidance on how to handle such circumstances coolly and efficiently.

We’ll look at Dr. Komarovsky’s suggestions in this article for dealing with the pressing issues that arise when a baby falls out of bed. Knowing what to do will give you peace of mind during a potentially stressful situation while ensuring your child’s safety and wellbeing.

About falls

Renowned pediatrician Evgeny Komarovsky discusses whether or not parents should be concerned about their child falling from a height, the potential consequences, and what to do in such a situation.

Komarovsky claims that there are typically no negative repercussions. The only things that are hurting are the parents’ and grandparents’ psyches. Adults are prepared to grab a bewildered, yelling toddler and head straight to the x-ray, ultrasound, trauma center, surgeon, or wherever else they need to go.

Prudent nature has gone to considerable lengths to guarantee that a child’s fall will have few repercussions. The infant’s "fontanelle" on the head serves this purpose, and it is not surprising that babies have such a large amount of cerebrospinal fluid—it serves shock-absorbing purposes that greatly lessen the impact of a fall from any height. Naturally, we are not discussing skydiving, but a child’s body’s defense mechanisms and functions are more than adequate for a crib or changing table’s height.

This information should ease parents’ concerns. That being said, care should be taken. Mothers and fathers of "flyers," according to Evgeny Komarovsky, should pay close attention to their child during the first day following the fall. If at all possible, the infant should be given physical rest; massages, active games, and entertainment should be canceled.

In the upcoming video, Dr. Komarovsky will discuss the signs of a serious injury.

A child who has fallen screams violently, but not because of pain—parents mistakenly believe that it is fear. A sudden, drastic shift in the baby’s spatial orientation sends them into a true panic. His fear will only worsen if, at the same time, he experiences a strong panic reaction, which his parents will show him (and he will feel it, you can be sure).

If a child has fallen from a height, the most important thing for parents to do is to remain calm, as much as this is usually possible in such a situation. After being gently raised, the infant needs to be checked for injuries and calmed down. Should the infant resume smiling and acting normally after 30 minutes, there’s no need to see a traumatologist or surgeon right away. There is very little chance of internal organ damage.

Any (even small) behavioral changes that the child exhibits over the next 24 hours should be noted in your observations of him. Naturally, different types of head injuries are the most dangerous results of a failed landing. Parents need to be aware of the signs that point to these kinds of injuries:

• Impaired consciousness. It does not matter how many months or years the child is (a 6-month-old child fell out of bed or a newborn was dropped). Even the most brief loss of consciousness is a reason to immediately go to see a doctor or call an ambulance.
• Change in the tempo or purity of speech. If the child already speaks, even if only syllables, upon careful observation, parents can notice that he began to “communicate” less often, more often, louder or quieter, his speech became slurred, signs of stuttering appeared, and so on. In this case, a traumatic brain injury can be suspected, and this condition requires mandatory medical attention.

• Drowsiness. If the child began to sleep longer after the fall, he constantly lies down and quickly falls asleep, even if he has long ago “exhausted” the daily supply of time for sleep – this is a reason to take him to the hospital.
• Inadequacy of behavior. This is the most difficult. It is sometimes quite difficult for parents to explain to the doctor what exactly is inadequacy in the baby"s behavior (especially if it is a newborn or 5-month-old child). However, they will definitely notice the oddities, the mother"s heart will “tell”. Do not be embarrassed and think that the doctor will not understand you, immediately contact a medical institution.

• Headache. This symptom can be recorded if the child is already at the age when he can tell or show parents that he has a headache. It is not the headache itself that should alert you, but its duration. If the fall was without consequences, it will pass quickly. With a head injury, quite severe pain will persist even an hour and a half after the fall. Babies who cannot speak will most likely express their feelings through crying. It will not be sharp and piercing. The nature of the crying will be aching, constant, with short breaks (for a few minutes, no more).
• Convulsions. This symptom is clear to everyone, as is the fact that you should not wait for the second attack. After the first convulsions, you should call an ambulance.

• Nausea and vomiting. If a child has more than one attack of vomiting, this may indicate a concussion. The toddler needs qualified medical care.
• Vestibular dysfunction. If a child who is quite confidently standing on his feet in a playpen at 10 months experiences unsteadiness, loss of balance after a fall, you should consult a doctor. This also includes symptoms such as impaired coordination, inability to move an arm or leg.

• Pupil size. If the pupils are the same, there is no reason to worry. If one is larger than the other, this is one of the easiest signs of head injury to diagnose.
• Circles under the eyes. If dark blue circles under the eyes or in the area behind the ear appear shortly after the fall, this is a very alarming symptom.

• Discharge from the ears and nose. Not only bloody and serous discharge should be alarming, but also completely transparent.
• Feelings and perception. If a child"s vision has decreased even slightly after a fall, hearing has deteriorated, or the sense of smell has disappeared, this is a good reason to seek medical help.

Dr. Komarovsky provides parents with clear guidance in the event that their child falls out of bed. He stresses maintaining composure and doing a thorough situational analysis. Start by looking for any obvious wounds or indications of discomfort on the infant. Comfort the infant if there are no significant injuries, and keep a close eye on them over the next 24 hours to see if their behavior changes. It’s crucial to get help if you see anything strange or if the infant appears to be in pain. Following a fall, Dr. Komarovsky offers helpful advice that will help you keep your baby safe and well.

Why do children most often fall on their heads

This makes sense in light of babies’ physiological traits. From birth until roughly the age of five, a person’s head is fairly heavy (compared to the general proportions of the body). Falling onto the head, which is the heaviest part of the body, results from losing balance. The child striking the back of the head or the temporal region with force is the most dangerous.

According to Evgeny Komarovsky, head injuries are uncommon when they occur. The softness and flexibility of a child’s skull bones set them apart from an adult’s. They split apart upon impact, absorb the shock, and eventually revert to their initial state in a matter of minutes.

What to do if there is an injury

The child needs to be taken to the hospital right away if he exhibits one or more of the aforementioned symptoms. The infant will have a brain ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and, if required, an encephalogram in a medical facility. If damage is found, hospitalization will be recommended. There, the child will receive treatment consisting of prescription drugs and specialized physical therapy techniques, all under the close supervision of medical professionals. The health effects will be negligible (or the injury won’t have any effect on the baby’s future development) if everything is done on time.

Komarovsky advises parents of young children to familiarize themselves with the necessary steps to take while doctors are en route, just in case. Follow these guidelines for first aid:

• Bruise, bump, swelling. Something cool should be applied to this area, but not a piece of frozen meat from the freezer, so as not to cause hypothermia of the brain.
• Rest. The child should not be carried back and forth around the apartment and at the same time rocked vigorously. It is better for the baby to be in a horizontal position on his side. No pillows! Komarovsky emphasizes that the head and spine should be at the same level.
• Before the ambulance arrives, it is better not to let the baby sleep.
• In case of vomiting, in no case should the child lie on his back, so that he does not choke on vomit.
• Do not give any medications.

If your infant tumbles off the bed, it’s critical to remain composed and evaluate the circumstances. First, look for any overt indications of an injury on your child, like swelling or bruises. Seek immediate medical attention if they appear to be in pain or if you notice anything out of the ordinary.

It’s advisable to keep a close eye on your infant for the next 24 hours even if there aren’t any obvious injuries. Keep an eye out for behavioral changes in them, such as increased fussiness, irregular sleep patterns, or trouble feeding, as these may point to an issue that requires medical attention.

Think about creating a safer sleeping environment for your baby to avoid falls in the future. To reduce the risk, use bed rails or lower the bed. Having a secure sleeping space for your child can help keep them safe and ease your mind.

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