Should I let my baby fall asleep after he's had a serious fall?
Expert Answers
First of all, if your baby hits his head as a result of a major collision or a fall from any serious distance — he rolls off the changing table or falls down the stairs, for example — you should talk with his doctor. She'll want to know the details of the accident and whether your baby lost consciousness, is excessively irritable or crying, or is vomiting or lethargic. She may tell you to bring him to the office or to the emergency room. If your toddler has had a little bump, though — he takes a tumble as he practices his walking or tips over from a seated position and taps his head on the floor or table, for example — you'll just want to keep an eye on him for a while.
Many parents believe they need to keep their children awake after a serious fall to prevent a coma, but this is an old wives' tale with no basis in reality. Actually, putting your baby down for a restorative nap after an emotional trauma like a scary fall can be comforting.
Of course, it's still important to watch your baby closely for signs of problems, such as changes in color, difficulty breathing, or unusual drowsiness. It's even a good idea to wake your baby up twice each night during the first two nights after a fall in which he hits his head, just to make sure you can. If he's alert when you wake him up (well, as alert as a baby who's been awakened can be), then it's unlikely that the fall has caused any evolving problems, like bleeding in the brain.
If your baby seems overly groggy or lethargic, or if you're worried for any reason, trust your instincts and call the doctor for advice. She may want to give him a quick checkup. If at any point you're unable to wake your child, take him to the emergency room.
Many parents believe they need to keep their children awake after a serious fall to prevent a coma, but this is an old wives' tale with no basis in reality. Actually, putting your baby down for a restorative nap after an emotional trauma like a scary fall can be comforting.
Of course, it's still important to watch your baby closely for signs of problems, such as changes in color, difficulty breathing, or unusual drowsiness. It's even a good idea to wake your baby up twice each night during the first two nights after a fall in which he hits his head, just to make sure you can. If he's alert when you wake him up (well, as alert as a baby who's been awakened can be), then it's unlikely that the fall has caused any evolving problems, like bleeding in the brain.
If your baby seems overly groggy or lethargic, or if you're worried for any reason, trust your instincts and call the doctor for advice. She may want to give him a quick checkup. If at any point you're unable to wake your child, take him to the emergency room.
Member Comments
I think it's not okay to let you baby fall right asleep do to the fact you want to keep a eye on his behavior and respones immediately. The sooner your able to point something that is'nt normal you will be able to repsond to the problem sooner.
posted 9/15/2007 by Anonymous
my 5 month just fell off the couch onto a double carpeted floor...she cried like the devil but she was scared and I was scared. After she calmed down she started laughing and playing...had a quick 20 minute nap, then was up playing had her bottle and went to bed, woke up playing and then went back to sleep. I'm still a nervous wreck, but she is fine.. yes i am a 1st time mom who is paranoid about everything!
posted 10/29/2008 by kjudge1
Two doctors advised that I did not need to keep baby awake, but I did go ahead and sleep in her room with her for the first two nights. Made me feel better!
posted 2/06/2008 by BrighSpot
my 10 month old rolled out of bed last night and hit the hard wood floor and screamed I picked him up and nursed him and he was fine. I called the dr this morning and she said just to watch him for a couple days for nausia,stumbling and hand eye cordination. Hes fine though just really scared mommy.
posted 4/28/2009 by Anonymous
My daughter had her first major fall a couple of days ago. She fell out of her stroller onto a ceramic floor, while we were out having breakfast, she didnt fall a great distance but it was enough for her to bump her head, create a scratch beneath her eye and leave mommy a nervous wreck for the last few days. Her fall happend an hour before her usual nap, so it would have been hard to keep her up without her becoming cranky due to her tiredness. I have been observing her behavior as has been indicated and havent noticed any change in her whatsoever. I've been told my family, friends and neighbors that its normal for children to fall and have accidents, but I don't think I will ever really get used to the idea, just the thought of her getting hurt makes me incredibily fearful. P.S. Yes, I am a first time mom!
posted 7/04/2008 by Anonymous
my baby took a tumble and hit her head. I was freaking out!!! Thankfully she was not badly hurt but fell asleep less than an hour after and seemed fine all day. Though i did watch her sleep to make sure.
posted 7/26/2009 by Rachel226
my baby has fallen like so many times i lost count and i never let him go to sleep right away i would keep him awake at least for an hour my son is perfectly fine
posted 8/26/2008 by alicia virginia
After my daughter's 1st fall, I did a survey of all my friends with children. Every SINGLE one of them has had an incident where their child rolled off a couch, bed, changing table, etc. Yes, it DEFINITELY freaks you (and them) out. Just give them kisses and hugs and watch their behavior...99 percent of the time they're fine. For those of you with infants, get ready...there will be MANY more falls!
posted 9/28/2010 by lrsaunders
When my sister was a toddler she had a head injury (resulting in a fracture in her skull) and all of the doctors told my parents to wake her every hour to prevent a coma. Maybe it depends on how severe the injury is.
posted 2/05/2008 by lexierae20
My 4 month old just fell off couch this morning and I am am nervous wreck. She fell on her back flat on to our carpet and had no bumps or brusies and seemed fine in about 5 mintues of calming her down. She has a doctors appointment tomorrow, si there any reason i should be concerend?
posted 1/09/2009 by anggar
