A 4 month old baby fell off the sofa. Consequences. The child fell out of bed

A small child should not be left alone, everyone knows this. But in addition to taking care of the baby, a young mother has to do a lot of everyday household chores. Also, a mother who has not slept for a day while caring for her baby becomes very tired and alertness is significantly reduced. Therefore, it is not uncommon for a baby to fall from a certain height, most often from a bed.

Such cases occur very often when the child is 6 months old. This is due to the fact that it is at this age that the baby’s activity peaks; he begins to roll over, even trying to move from one place to another. What to do if a child falls out of bed at 6 months? How dangerous is it for a child to fall from a bed or other high place at 6 months?

What to do to prevent a baby at 6 months or earlier from falling while swaddling

Often babies can roll off the changing table onto the floor. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out swaddling not on the table, but on the sofa. To prevent injury in the event of a possible fall, it is recommended to lay a carpet or soft runner near the sofa. During the swaddling procedure, you should not be distracted by extraneous matters. If you need to go away, you should take the baby with you, otherwise at any second he may try to roll over and fall to the floor.

As soon as the child begins to master the basics of sitting, it is recommended to fasten him in the stroller with special belts so that he does not fall. Even in the crib, it is necessary to monitor the baby, since at 6 months and later the baby can not only sit up, but also try to crawl.

Features of falls and types of injury

A child's skull is fragile and vulnerable. And the danger that a child will be injured after falling out of bed is much higher than the risk of injury for an adult. Especially at the age of 6 months, complete fusion of the skull bones has not yet occurred during this period, so they can easily be displaced upon impact. Mom and dad need to be aware of where the child is in danger. He may fall from the changing pad, stroller or bed. But it is almost impossible to protect your child from all injuries, so you need to arm yourself with information about what to do if your child falls out of bed at 6 months.

The mildest injury if a 6-month-old child falls from a bed or from another high place is a bruise of the soft tissues of the head. With such an injury, the brain will not be damaged. A small abrasion or bump may form at the site of the injury. In this case, the child cries for several minutes (he is more scared than hurt), calms down and behaves as before the fall. In this case, you don’t have to worry and don’t rush to see a doctor.

If a 6-month-old child fell out of bed and a concussion occurred, the symptoms of such an injury are:

• momentary fainting.
• vomiting (may be repeated).
• pallor of the skin.
• the appearance of sticky cold sweat.
• the baby becomes lethargic, drowsy, and does not want to eat.

Older children can already explain their complaints - they have a headache, noise in their ears. If you have a concussion, you should immediately consult a doctor.

A more severe injury is brain contusion. The main symptom of such injuries is a prolonged loss of consciousness, sometimes the duration of fainting is an hour or more. A serious consequence of such an injury, if a 6-month-old child falls out of bed, is disruption of breathing and heart rhythm.

Trauma such as a skull fracture is particularly serious. During it, bleeding occurs or clear fluid appears from the ears or nose. Bruises form around the eyes. The peculiarity of this type of injury is that its signs do not become apparent immediately after the fall, but several hours later. Therefore, it is very important to monitor the child’s condition after he has fallen from a bed or other high surface. If suspicious manifestations occur, you should immediately seek medical help.

Another severe injury is compression of the brain, which damages the substance of the brain. The reason for this phenomenon is the accumulation of blood fluid inside the skull due to a ruptured vessel, or if a depressed fracture occurs during a fall, compression of the skull may also occur. This kind of injury requires urgent surgical intervention. If a 6-month-old child falls out of bed, he most often receives an injury to the parietal area. Infrequently, injury to the frontal and occipital region occurs.

What to do if a 6-month-old baby falls out of bed

If a baby falls out of bed at 6 months, you must initially not panic, maintain composure; this is of course not easy, but it is necessary. Most mothers begin to panic and cry in such a situation, blaming themselves. But we must not forget that a baby at this age is extremely sensitive to any changes in the mother’s mood, so this behavior can frighten him and further aggravate the condition.

You cannot shake the child or shout at him. Proceed with caution. Carefully place the baby on a flat surface and inspect for any injuries, abrasions, or bruises. The head must be examined very carefully. If the baby is unconscious, do not panic; it is important to act quickly and calmly. You need to check the state of your breathing and wait a few minutes. The child should come to his senses and start crying. If the loss of consciousness is prolonged, you should immediately call emergency help or take the baby to the hospital yourself. If there are no serious injuries, the baby should be picked up and calmed down. You can give him something to eat, sing a song, or try to entertain him with his favorite toy.

Komarovsky says that, despite the soft structure of the child’s skull, there is a shock-absorbing liquid inside that significantly softens the fall. An ice pack must be applied to the bumps on the head; it must be wrapped in film or a towel to prevent cold burns. You can’t play too active games; the baby needs to be protected from loud sounds. If injuries are detected, the child must be provided with complete rest, then call ambulance. Only a doctor can assess the severity and extent of damage.

Natural processes in the body small child designed in such a way that the consequences of the injury are minimal. For example, with the help of a fontanel, the effect of an impact is softened and a concussion is prevented. But despite this, the child’s safety should be treated with utmost attention.

After a baby falls, it should be monitored for 48 hours. Even with a slight bruise, after a while, after a few years, sometimes headaches may occur, vision or quality of hearing may be impaired. If after a fall the baby cries, but quickly calms down, this indicates fear. If the baby does not cry, this is a cause for concern for parents, in which case it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor.

If your baby vomits once or repeatedly, you should seek medical help. You should also visit a doctor if the child cannot focus his eyes on any object or if he refuses to eat. Such symptoms sometimes indicate a concussion.

Even if the child’s condition does not cause concern, if possible, it is better to conduct an ultrasound examination of the brain to exclude possible consequences falls.

What to do to prevent falling

You need to keep an eye on your baby at all times. If parents need a distraction, the child should be kept safe. You can sit him on the floor or cover him with pillows on the bed. It is recommended to place pillows on the floor to soften the impact in case of a fall.

During the newborn period, babies are especially restless and mobile. Unfortunately, falls from beds, changing tables, and other elevated positions are not uncommon for infants. Parents of babies face the challenge of ensuring safety for their babies.

The danger of falling out of bed is that the baby is at risk of developing serious complications caused by concussion of brain structures. If young parents had to face a similar situation, then they need to familiarize themselves with the rules of providing first aid to a newborn.

Danger of head impacts

Gaining coordination skills is always accompanied by falls. The severity of the consequences depends on the height from which the newborn fell, as well as the location of the injury. Compared to other parts of the body, the baby's head dominates in the weight category, which is one of the reasons for frequent injuries to this area.

The child's skull has defense mechanisms, thanks to which most falls end safely. The large and small fontanelles help soften the blow. Falling out of the crib and hitting your head carry hidden threats that lead to the development of the following complications:

• Brain contusion;
• Compression of brain structures;
• Concussion of the cerebral hemispheres.

The most serious complication is compression of brain structures. This condition leads to pinching of neurovascular formations and disruption of the damaged structures. A bruise of the brain substance is fraught with the death of damaged areas of brain tissue.

Concussion of the hemispheres is not so dangerous for a child’s body. This type of injury is characterized by the formation of bruises and hematomas at the site of impact.

Pathological symptoms are characterized by a gradual increase, lasting from 1 to 3 days. Before the arrival of medical specialists, it is strictly forbidden to feed and water the child.

Alarming symptoms

If a child falls and hits his head on the floor, parents need to pay attention to the baby’s condition. The baby should not be left out of attention for 5-6 hours after the injury. If one or more alarming symptoms a newborn baby should be seen by a medical specialist as a matter of urgency.

The following signs indicate traumatic damage to brain structures:

• Constant tearfulness and frequent whims for no reason;
• Different pupil diameters in the eyes;
• Vomiting and frequent regurgitation food;
• The appearance of blood from the nasal passages or ears;
• Frequent awakenings in the middle of the night, startling in sleep;
• Pale or cyanotic skin;
• Complete or partial loss of appetite;
• Characteristic blue circles under the eyes;
• Dulling of reactions to light and sound stimuli;
• Loss of consciousness after hitting your head on the floor;
• Lethargy, lethargy, increased drowsiness.

Each of these symptoms confirms a violation of the functional state of one or more brain structures. Such children need specialized medical care, which is provided within the first hours after injury.

If a traumatic brain injury is suspected, the infant undergoes an ultrasound examination of the brain through the fontanel. Such children are advised to consult a neurologist and pediatrician.

First aid

In the first seconds after the injury, the child needs emergency help from the parents. Before helping the baby, parents need to examine the site of the bruise and assess the general condition of the baby. Options emergency care depend on the severity of the damage. There are the following scenarios:

1. There are no visible damages at the site of injury. In this case, parents need to closely monitor the condition of the newborn. If alarming symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek medical advice.
2. A hematoma or bruise has formed on the damaged area of ​​the child’s head. In order to help the child, it is necessary to apply cold to the injured area. For this purpose, use a heating pad with ice or chilled fruit. The cold is held for 4 minutes. This measure allows you to avoid massive swelling of brain tissue.
3. At the site of the injury, a wound with elements of bleeding is found. It is recommended to treat the affected area with a sterile gauze swab soaked in a solution of hydrogen peroxide. The tampon with peroxide is held on the wound for 1-2 minutes. If bleeding continues, seek emergency medical attention.
4. If the baby has lost consciousness, he is placed on a flat surface with his head turned to the side. The next step is to call an ambulance. Any attempts to bring the child to consciousness are prohibited.

Before the baby is examined by a medical specialist, parents are strictly prohibited from resorting to self-medication and giving the baby painkillers. These medicines distort clinical picture general condition, which leads to a false diagnosis.

Important! After the baby is injured, parents should not let him sleep. During sleep, pathological symptoms disappear, indicating the development of serious complications of a head injury.

Injury Prevention

Throughout the entire period of adaptation of the baby to new living conditions, parents must closely monitor his safety. Traumatic head injuries have no statute of limitations, so bruises received in childhood often cause illness nervous system in adolescence and adulthood.

In order to protect your baby from injury, the following rules are taken into account:

1. Newborn children should not be left unattended. If a young mother needs to go away, she should ask her spouse or close relative to look after the baby. Always hold the baby with one hand while swaddling.
2. When choosing a stroller for a baby, pay attention to the quantity and quality of seat belts. Also, the stroller must be equipped with high sides and protective panels. A high-quality stroller provides reliable protection for a newborn.
3. If the baby does, then the parents provide him with support.
4. The psychological state of parents plays an important role. If they feel a sense of fear of the child being injured, then the baby becomes restless, his concentration and coordination of movements decreases. These children are at risk of falls.

Following simple rules and paying attention to the child will help avoid traumatic injuries to the head area and complications associated with injury.

Children are inquisitive and restless, and therefore no one can completely avoid injuries, falls and bruises. In the process of learning about the world, babies fall quite often. But if falling on the butt or back does not cause panic attacks in parents, then the situation changes dramatically if the child hits his head. An authoritative pediatrician, author of numerous books and articles about children's health Evgeniy Komarovsky explains why such falls are dangerous and when you need to start worrying.

Features of child physiology

The head of a small child is designed in such a way that it is relatively large compared to the rest of the body, so babies most often fall on their head when they lose their balance. But there is also a positive thing: the child’s brain is quite reliably protected from injury when falling. If small child fell from the sofa upside down, then the greatest injury (of a psychological nature) was received by his parents, and not by himself. The bones of a baby's skull are very soft, and the "fontanel" and dynamic "sutures" between the bones of the skull provide them with mobility. The larger the fontanelle, says Evgeny Komarovsky, the less likely it is to get injured if you fall upside down. In addition, nature has come up with another shock-absorbing mechanism - a large amount of cerebrospinal fluid.

If a child at 6-7 months, when he becomes more mobile, turns over unsuccessfully and falls from the sofa or changing table, do not immediately panic. The baby, of course, will scream heart-rendingly. But parents must understand that he is crying not from terrible pain, but more from fear caused by a sudden movement in space. If after half an hour the baby smiles, walks and leads his usual lifestyle, nothing in his behavior has changed, then there is no reason for concern or examination by doctors, says Komarovsky.

Most often, children under one year old begin to bang their heads when they master their first steps. This usually happens after 8-9 months. That is why it is important that the baby first learns to crawl, and only then stand and walk.

Of course, a child who hits his head requires more careful attention from his parents. It is advisable to provide the baby with peace, not to let him run around a lot, play active games, or scream loudly. The very first day will show if the baby has an injury . To do this, parents must know the symptoms of head injuries like two times two.

Traumatic brain injuries

It does not matter the age and gender of the child, the height from which he fell head down, the size of the bruise or bump on the forehead, as well as the presence or absence of abrasions and blood. All mothers and fathers should know that in all situations involving a head injury, the child needs qualified medical care.

The presence of injury can be suspected if the child experiences clouding of consciousness, loss of consciousness of any duration and frequency. Observation is very important, since parents who know the characteristics of their child’s behavior will be able to notice changes in his behavior in time. Any inadequate changes may indicate a possible head injury.

If a child stops falling asleep normally, or, conversely, sleeps for an unusually long time, or develops a headache, and it does not go away even an hour and a half after the fall, you should seek qualified medical help.

A characteristic symptom of head injury is vomiting, especially if it is repeated. The child may have a shaky and uncertain gait, dizziness, convulsions, impaired coordination of movements, weakness in the arms and legs, and the inability to move one or two paired limbs at once. In all these cases, you should definitely call an ambulance.

Discharge from the nose and ears, whether bloody, bloody or clear and colorless, is a clear reason to suspect injury.

Symptoms of injuries may also include various dysfunctions of the sense organs.(hearing loss, blurred vision, complete or perhaps partial lack of response to tactile contact). The child may begin to complain that he is cold or hot. Evgeniy Komarovsky advises paying attention to each of these symptoms.

Concussion

This is a fairly simple traumatic brain injury, in which the child may lose consciousness, but such a loss will be short-term (no more than 5 minutes), nausea and dizziness are possible. The brain is not damaged, but a concussion temporarily disrupts some brain cell functions. Dr. Komarovsky claims that this is the easiest consequence of falling on his head, because after a couple of days, brain functions return to normal and the child’s condition returns to normal.

Brain contusion

This is an injury in which the membranes of the brain are directly damaged, as well as its deeper structures, with the formation of a hematoma and the occurrence of edema. How long the state of loss of consciousness lasts affects the degree of injury; it can be mild, moderate or severe. In the first degree, the symptoms are similar to a concussion, only the child’s unconscious state can last more than 5 minutes. The average severity of the injury is characterized by the duration of fainting from 10-15 minutes to an hour or a little more. In severe cases, consciousness may be absent for several hours or several weeks.

Brain compression

This is an extremely dangerous condition when, as a result of a head injury, compression occurs inside the skull. With this pathology, vomiting occurs, which is protracted and repeated. Periods of loss of consciousness are followed by so-called “light” periods, when the child behaves normally, without showing any signs of brain damage. Such periods can last up to 48 hours.

First aid

If a child falls, hits his head and there is a cut in the skin or hair, the child does not lose consciousness. and after a day there is no sign of injury, there is no need to take him to the doctor, says Evgeny Komarovsky. It is enough to treat the wound with an antiseptic and apply ice to the external injury site. If the wound is extensive (more than 7 mm), you should go to the emergency room, the child will receive several stitches, and at this point the treatment can be considered complete.

If the wound is open (with an open craniocerebral injury), under no circumstances should you put pressure on it to stop bleeding. Mom should cover the edges of the wound with ice until the doctor arrives.

If a child falls, hits the back of his head or forehead on the floor, and the parents immediately or several hours later discover signs of injury in the child, the child should be put down and called the hospital. Determining the type of injury, its nature and severity is the task of doctors.

If the head injury is severe, the child is unconscious, he is not breathing, the child needs to be given resuscitation measures until the ambulance arrives. The child should be placed on his back, his head should be fixed, cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be performed, after the baby comes to his senses, he should not be allowed to move, drink or talk until the doctors arrive.

Consequences

With traumatic brain injuries, vital centers and parts of the brain are affected. If the child is not provided with timely medical care, the changes that are caused by bruises or compression may be irreversible. Severe injury can be fatal.

If a child hits his head while away from his parents, for example, in a health summer camp or boarding school, the parents, for objective reasons, cannot observe the child’s behavior and condition for 24 hours after the hit. In this situation, you should be understanding that doctors and kindergarten teachers are “playing it safe” and immediately send your child to the hospital. According to Komarovsky, in 99% of cases such hospitalization is required not so that the child can be treated, but so that there is someone to watch him.

It is almost impossible to find a child who does not fall. As soon as the baby begins to try to walk, his body, although not completely, is still covered with bruises, abrasions, scratches... Nature has taken care of the child’s body and provided maximum protection for the head from injury. Most falls do not cause significant harm to the fidget's health. But there are injuries that are life-threatening for the baby and have serious consequences.

Why do children hit their heads most often?

Pediatricians state that it is the head that leads in the number of injuries received. Parents react more calmly when their baby injures an arm or leg. But most of the bruises are to the head.

These statistics have their own explanations. Thus, in children under 5 years of age, the head is relatively heavy and large in size compared to other parts of the body. Such physiological feature in small children affects the coordination of their movements. Just a slight push is enough for the baby to lose his balance and fall head first.

Physiological features of the child's brain

A child's head has a slightly different structure than an adult's. The baby's skull bones are soft and flexible. This means that it is difficult to break the skull in a collision with a hard surface. During an impact, the elastic bones move and return to their original position.

Another important feature of the child's brain is its immaturity and high content of cerebrospinal fluid. A child's head can withstand impacts much more easily.

Doctors rarely diagnose a traumatic brain injury or when a child falls and hits their head. Komarovsky talks a lot about injuries and teaches parents to recognize dangerous symptoms. A well-known pediatrician gives valuable recommendations and tells how to properly provide first aid for various head injuries.

Examination of the child

If a child falls and hits his head, Komarovsky advises not to panic and monitor the baby over the next 24 hours. Parents should provide their child with peace and not allow active play. If the little one does not complain about anything during the first hours after the fall and feels well, there is no reason to worry and see a doctor.

The baby's reaction to the blow he receives speaks volumes. With complex head injuries that involve bleeding or a concussion, the child may suddenly become unwell or behave differently than usual. If after a fall the baby stands up calmly and smiles, head injuries and internal organs unlikely.

In any case, if a child falls and hits his head, Komarovsky recommends identifying the presence of dangerous symptoms. All parents should know them in order to consult a doctor in time and prevent the development of complications and pathologies.

Alarming symptoms

Doctors identify a number of serious signs that may appear if a child falls and hits his head. Komarovsky compiled a list of the following symptoms:

1. Impaired consciousness of any intensity and duration.
2. Inappropriate behavior.
3. Speech impairment.
4. Increased sleepiness.
5. Severe headaches that appeared in the first hours after the fall and persisted for a long period of time.
6. Cramps.
7. Repeated bouts of vomiting.
8. Balance imbalance.
9. Dizziness.
10. Different pupil sizes.
11. Weakness of the arms and legs, inability to move them.
12. Dark circles under the eyes.
13. Bleeding or discharge of streaked or nasal fluid.
14. Sensory organ disorders.

These symptoms may occur in children of different ages. The presence of at least one indicates the need to immediately seek medical help.

Falling off the couch

Young parents often underestimate the capabilities of their baby. They allow themselves to leave the baby on the sofa unattended. Already from 4 months the child is actively moving and trying to roll over. At the same time, the baby gradually begins to crawl. At this age, the baby needs an eye and an eye if the parents want to protect the child from injuries and bruises.

Probably in every family there was a case where, at the age of, say, 6 months, he hit his head. Komarovsky believes that such an event is almost inevitable. All children under 1 year of age often fall out of bed. Kids cannot yet assess the danger of their actions and in a split second they roll to the floor. Even a very attentive mother may not notice the fidgety baby, turning away for the bottle.

In children of the first year of life, the brain and central nervous system are actively developing, and the bones of the skull are not yet strong enough and are not tightly connected. This increases the risk of injury from a fall that results in traumatic brain injury. Therefore, it is important to prevent yourself from falling and hitting your head. Komarovsky warns of dire consequences. The baby can get a concussion and even an open head injury.

What to do if your baby falls off the couch

If a child falls off the sofa and hits his head, Komarovsky recommends immediately picking up the baby in your arms to calm him down. According to the doctor, in most cases there is no cause for concern. The height of the sofas is about 50 cm or even less. A fall from such a height cannot significantly damage the brain. Usually a child can only get scared and therefore cry.

As soon as the baby has calmed down, you should examine him for abrasions, bumps and wounds on the head. It is important to observe his reactions and behavior.

If a child falls off the sofa and hits his head, Komarovsky recommends, of course, if there are suspicious signs, immediately consult a doctor. What are these signs?

Symptoms of serious injury to infants

The following symptoms indicate that the baby has suffered a dangerous injury:

1. Loss of consciousness for a short or long time immediately after a fall or after some time.
2. Formation of edema at the site of the impact, which rapidly increases.
3. Availability bloody discharge from the nose and ears.
4. Abnormal behavior of the baby, which may indicate headaches.
5. Vomit.
6. Constant crying.
7. Impaired coordination of movements.

A well-known doctor who described in detail the manifestations when a child fell and hit his head is Komarovsky. The dangerous consequences of such a blow if untimely medical intervention threatens the health of the baby.

Treatment tactics for TBI in infants

At the slightest suspicion of a traumatic brain injury, the infant should be hospitalized in a hospital for examination by neurosurgeons and neuropathologists. To confirm the diagnosis, the following tests and studies are performed:

1. Ultrasound of the brain.
2. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.
3. Electroencephalogram.

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the baby is prescribed appropriate medications, physiotherapy and a special regime. Correctly formulated therapy helps to heal the injury with minimal consequences.

First aid before doctors arrive

The most common question that all young parents ask is: “What should I do? The child fell and hit his head.” Komarovsky recommends examining the baby and performing the following steps:

1. If there is a minor bruise, it is enough to apply ice or a cold object to the swelling area. This will reduce swelling.
2. Regardless of the force of the blow, the baby must be kept at rest. If the injury is severe, it is important to keep the child awake until the ambulance arrives. Following this recommendation will also help you avoid missing other symptoms.
3. Place the child on the bed in such a position that the spine and head are at the same level.
4. If there is vomiting, the baby should be placed on his side so that the secretions can easily drain and do not interfere with the victim’s ability to breathe normally.

These are basic recommendations that will help you navigate the situation and tell you what to do if your child falls and hits his head. Komarovsky, as a pediatrician, prohibits taking other actions. During the examination, the doctor will be able to determine the severity of the blow and conclude whether hospitalization is necessary.

Possible consequences

The most common and easiest injury is soft tissue bruise. In this case, the brain is not damaged. After a blow, a lump or abrasion may form on the scalp.

With a traumatic brain injury, the consequences can be different. In mild cases, the child makes a full recovery. If the injury is severe, important brain functions may be impaired.

With severe brain damage, the prognosis for the development of disorders is unpredictable. The completeness of recovery depends on the treatment tactics, the medications used, compliance with the doctor’s recommendations, the severity of the injury, the gender and age of the baby, and the state of his health.

One of the most famous pediatricians who urges parents to respond quickly when a child falls and hits his head is Komarovsky. The consequences of this type of injury can be life-threatening. Timely provision of medical care helps prevent complications.

How to protect your child from falling

If at 3 months a child falls and hits his head, Komarovsky blames the parents in this case. Many injuries could be avoided if the baby was kept completely safe. Most often, infants fall from changing tables. Therefore, it is better to swaddle the baby and carry out hygiene procedures on the sofa or use a table with high sides. In this case, one of the adults must be near the child.

In addition, you can lay a carpet near the surface on which the baby will lie. It will soften a possible fall. Some parents even put pillows or blankets on the floor.

1. Do not leave your baby alone on or on the sofa. If there is a need to leave the room for a few seconds, it is better to put the child in his crib or stroller.
2. When near the baby, you should hold him with your hand. Often babies fall to the floor in the presence of their mother.
3. Try not to leave your baby alone in the room for a long time. A six-month-old child may already be trying to sit up and try to get out of the crib.

Increased attention from parents is also required during walks. A small and curious fidget can easily fall out of the cradle. The baby's desire to sit is a signal that it is time to transfer him to a stroller. Seat belts allow you to securely secure an active child and thus protect him from falling to the ground.

Special modern devices can protect your baby from head injuries when moving around the apartment - covers for sharp corners, rubberized mats. It is very important that your baby's house shoes have non-slip soles. For children under one year of age, socks with “brakes” are available that reduce slipping.

If the baby fell from the swing

Another dangerous place where small children are often injured is playground. There are a lot of children gathering on the slide, who can not only fall themselves, but also push each other. Even in kindergarten It happens that a child falls from a swing and hits his head. Komarovsky considers playgrounds a place increased danger requiring constant supervision of children.

To prevent serious injuries, pediatricians advise parents of preschoolers to always stay close to the child on the playground and support the child with their hands when he climbs high structures. When a child has already learned to ride independently, one of the adults should still watch him and stay at a distance of several meters. This way, you will be able to quickly react to the baby’s desire to make a dangerous movement, the results of which can be disastrous.

Falls on playgrounds are more dangerous. All swings and slides are made of metal, which has an increased risk of injury. And if you take into account the concrete surface of the site, then you should not be surprised by the fact that the risk of seriously injuring your head is quite high.

No matter how hard young parents try, not everyone can protect their young children from falls and injuries. And this is not at all due to the inattention of adults, but rather to the boundless curiosity of a child. The task of mom and dad in this situation is calm and consistency. Stress and tension are excluded here. After all, a child, even at a very young age, feels the excitement and unusual state of loved ones. In our article we will try to describe the sequential actions of parents if a child falls off the sofa.

Cause for concern?

As practice shows, such falls for the most part end quite happily. Therefore, you should not always worry when a child falls off the sofa. Evgeniy Olegovich Komarovsky, for example, believes that the height of our sofas is not so high, so the possibility of injury is minimized.

But in rare cases there are exceptions, since damage to the brain fluid may occur, as well as bleeding in the cranial cavity. Therefore, any head injury should be treated with full responsibility.

Possible consequences: head injury

So, if a child falls off the couch, what might happen?

Head impacts are a common occurrence in children, especially for babies in the first months of life. Distinctive feature babies from older children is the fact that the former have much more brain fluid.

The good news is that the brain is not so tightly enclosed in the skull, and the sutures between the bones of the skull are quite pliable and movable. All these factors provide good shock absorption and significantly reduce the risk of injury from falls or impacts.

It should be noted that head injuries are divided into two types: open and closed. In the first case, the cranial bones are damaged, and in the second, bruising, compression and concussion occur. With the latter, the integrity of the organ is not compromised. The same cannot be said in the case of a bruise. Here, brain tissue is significantly damaged. When squeezed, hemorrhage may occur in the brain and hematomas may form. This indicates that cranial fragments are being pressed into the brain tissue, although in rare cases compression can occur without fracture of the cranial bones.

It should be said that head injuries have their own degrees of severity - mild, moderate and severe. In the first case, soft tissue bruise occurs. Young children are exposed to this quite often. The good news is that during this process the child’s brain does not suffer in any way. As a rule, a lump forms at the site of the impact, which completely disappears after a few days.

The same cannot be said for moderate injuries. In this case, a concussion occurs, which has serious consequences in the future (for example, one of the most dangerous injuries is bruise and compression of the brain.

Therefore, we repeat again: if a child falls off the sofa, the consequences can be irreversible. If in any doubt, call an ambulance immediately.

When should you see a doctor if you hit your head?

Did your child hit his head when falling from the sofa? Pay attention to his behavior and general condition.

The following symptoms indicate that the baby is seriously injured:

• disturbance of consciousness, regardless of duration and severity;
• incomprehensible behavior;
• suspicious drowsiness;
• headache persists after injury;
• the child vomited;
• convulsions;
• imbalance that persists after one hour;
• the child’s limbs do not move;
• the appearance of bluish or gray spots under the eyes or behind the ears;
• discharge (bleeding) from the ears or nose;
• The pupils are different sizes.

If after the fall the child cried a lot and sniffed, and when he calmed down, the sniffing continued, then this is also a cause for concern. You should also be alarmed if the baby’s hearing and vision have become worse. See a doctor immediately if your child begins to smell bad or has decreased skin sensitivity.

Remember: dangerous symptoms may not appear immediately, but within 24 hours. Therefore, throughout the day, mom and dad should carefully monitor the child, even if it seemed that the injury was not serious.

You should also pay attention to your baby's sleep. If after a long cry he calms down and falls asleep, then he should be woken up every 2 hours. When the child wakes up, perform the following manipulations:

• move his favorite toy in front of his face (the baby must follow the direction);
• ring the bell or keys (the child must turn toward the ringing);
• check your reflexes (the baby should grab your finger or straighten your leg after bending).

Can a fall cause a neck injury?

Neck injuries occur not only when an external force acts on it, but also when there are sudden movements of the head and falls. Therefore, if a child fell from the sofa with his head, then this is quite possible.

Remember: neck injuries are very dangerous for the health and life of the baby. Therefore, if you have any suspicions, immediately call a doctor.

In what cases should you sound the alarm after falling off the couch?

In most cases, nothing bad happens after falling off the couch. However, if you notice anything strange in your child’s behavior or well-being, contact your pediatrician immediately. So, in what cases should you seek medical help?

• Disorder of consciousness, regardless of duration and severity.
• Any loss of sensation in the legs or arms.
• The position of the head is unnatural.
• The skin turned pale.
• Cold and sticky sweat appeared.
• The child is completely or partially unable to move his limbs.
• Uncontrolled urination and defecation.

Parents' actions until help arrived

The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that connects the brain to the rest of the body. Even minor damage to the spinal cord can lead to complete loss of bowel control and bladder, to paralysis, loss of sensation in any part of the body, as well as chronic pain.

If a child falls off the sofa, Evgeniy Olegovich Komarovsky advises not to move the baby under any circumstances. This is explained by the fact that with any damage to the spine, the spinal cord can also suffer - either as a result of the initial injury, or in the process of attempts aimed at providing assistance.

It is very important to provide the baby with complete immobility and peace. Remember that only a qualified person should move a child if there is a suspected neck injury.

If medical assistance is impossible for some reason, but the child still needs to be moved, try to keep the head and torso motionless. This position should remain unchanged during the carrying process. Never turn your baby's head to the side. Doing this will help prevent spinal cord injury.

Back injury: is it possible?

Many mothers are interested in the question of what the consequences may be if the child falls on his back. The main danger of a back injury is the high likelihood of brain damage.

The symptoms that indicate a back injury are identical to those mentioned earlier (section on neck injury).

Detection of even one symptom requires urgent medical attention. The main thing is to provide the baby with complete immobility and peace.

Lower back injury

Damage to the lower back, unfortunately, is fraught not only with damage to the spinal cord, but also with kidney injury. Therefore, in this case, you should definitely consult a doctor. The doctor should prescribe an ultrasound of the kidneys, a series of tests and studies within 24 hours after a lower back injury.

Tailbone injury

The most common reason injury to the tailbone is a fall on the buttocks. Fortunately, fractures in this case are rare, but sprains and bruises are quite common.

The main symptom that occurs in a child with a tailbone injury is painful and problematic bowel movements. This is especially true for children suffering from constipation. In this situation, you should discuss with your doctor the advisability of taking laxatives.

If medical consultation is impossible for some reason, use glycerin suppositories.

Urgent Care

So, if a child falls off the sofa, what should you do in this situation? If the fall occurred on the buttocks, then:

• apply cold to the injured area;
• try to limit the load on your tailbone as much as possible.

How should parents behave?

If a child hits his head after falling from a sofa, carefully monitor his condition. The first thing you should do is calm down. Never raise your voice to your baby. He should not see your fear and feel your worries. No matter how scary it may be, try to smile and talk calmly all the time. A quiet environment will allow you to identify the full danger of the situation several times faster.

If at least one of the above symptoms appears, immediately call an ambulance. In the meantime, she is on the way, carefully monitor the child’s condition. Limit if possible motor activity- read a book, rattle a rattle, sing your favorite song.

IN mandatory Apply cold to the injury site. This action will relieve swelling.

If an abrasion occurs, you can apply something cold to resolve the bruise. The item should be wrapped in cloth to prevent the baby from catching a cold. Can be used plastic bottle with cold water or an ice pack.

In this situation, you should also be extremely careful, especially if the blood for a long time doesn't stop.

You need to apply a compress to your head - five minutes will be enough. Between procedures you should take a break every five minutes. The compress is applied to the abdominal cavity and joints for 20 minutes with breaks of half an hour.

Do not apply pure ice to a bruise. This may make the situation worse (possibility of frostbite).

In the first hour after the fall, try to keep your baby awake. If he falls asleep, then you will not be able to monitor the dynamics of his well-being.

Even if the doctor did not find anything serious, then in the first day after the fall you should carefully monitor the child’s condition and behavior. Provide him with complete rest, walk in the fresh air, and avoid excessive eye and brain strain. If you notice anything strange during the day, immediately inform your doctor.

What to do in a situation where a child is one month old, falls off the sofa and a lump is discovered? The main thing is to remain calm. Pet him and sing your favorite song. Let him see that nothing bad happened.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to wish that such incidents never happen in your life. If a fall does occur, then it is very important for parents to remain calm, otherwise young children may lose interest in exploring the world and turning over. Be attentive to your baby, try to provide him with a happy childhood. Good luck to you!