🚨 Attention Parents! 🚨 Did your little one take a tumble? 🍼💔 Head injuries can be scary, but knowing what signs to look for can help you keep your baby safe. Check out this essential guide on recognizing symptoms and when to seek help! #ParentingTips #BabyHealth #HeadInjuryAwareness
Note: This is relevant for babies and children younger than 2 years old.
See A Doctor Immediately!
Even if the injury seems minor, the child should see a doctor right away. These are the important details to take note of which will be helpful for the doctor’s assessment:
- Timing of incident
- Mechanism of injury, including height of fall (best measured with a tape)
- Any loss of consciousness
- Any loss of memory
- Any vomiting after the fall, and how many episodes of vomiting
- Any abnormal behaviour
- Any seizures
Your doctor will get the above information from you and check for other signs of a serious injury such as:
- Swelling or bruising on the scalp
- Bruising around the eyes or behind the ear
- Blood or clear fluid draining from the nose or ear
- Skull fracture
Most children with head injuries do not need an imaging test. But if the doctor suspects a serious injury, they might order a special kind of X-ray called a CT scan. This creates detailed pictures of the brain and skull.
Usually, minor head injuries do not need treatment. But your child’s doctor might recommend things like:
- Watching the child for 24 hours after their injury – Watch for new symptoms or the symptoms listed above. You should also make sure that the child can wake up at a normal time after they fall asleep. It is not usually necessary to wake them up during the night.
- Giving over-the-counter pain medicines
When To Go To The Emergency Department Immediately
- Younger than 3 months
- Swelling or bruising on the scalp
- Loss of consciousness
- Loss of memory
- Is very sleepy (more than expected) or hard to wake up
- Is acting confused, disoriented, or not like themselves
- Is acting very fussy or crying more than usual
- Seems to be having trouble seeing
- Has blood or clear liquid draining from their ears or nose
- Vomits 2 or more times
- Seems dizzy or faint
- Is not moving or walking normally
- Has a seizure, or has jerking of the arms or legs that they cannot control
- Fall from more than 90cm height
How To Prevent Head Injuries
Here are some safety tips that can reduce your child’s chances of getting a head injury. Make sure that they:
- Cannot fall down stairs or out of windows. Use gates and guards to prevent this.
- Are never left alone in a place where they could fall, for example, on a bed or in a highchair without the straps fastened
- Sleep in a crib they cannot climb out of
- Always ride in a car seat that is the right type and size for them. Make sure that the seat is secured and set up correctly.
- Always wear a helmet if they are riding in a bicycle carrier or towed in a bicycle trailer
Head injuries can also happen if a baby or young child is shaken or handled roughly. Never shake a baby. If you suspect that someone hurt your child, tell a doctor right away.
Conclusion
While head injuries in babies can be alarming, being informed and vigilant can make all the difference. Remember, when in doubt, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional. Your little one’s health and safety are paramount!
Stay safe and keep those little heads protected! 🍼💖
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