DD has bashed her head - should I go to A and E?

[marymaryquitecontrary]

Hello

I may be hopelessly overreacting here but I am a bit worried. DD came to give me a cuddle this am and sort of fell onto me, bashing her forehead really hard against mine (well, mine really hurts!)

It has left a red mark and, I think, a tiny bump underneath. She will let me touch the mark and has had some BF to comfort her but I am still worried. She is running around but seems a bit out of sorts. Very clingy and tearful when she falls over. Should I take her to A and E or will I get laughed out?

TIA.

[katierocket]

I don't think you need to. As long as she didn't knock herself out and she is alert, I'm sure she'll be fine.

[Carmenere]

well they would never laugh at you but she sounds alright to me, babies foreheads are more resiliant than you would imagine. Just keep a close eye on her for the rest of the day.

[nailpolish]

she sounds fine. how old is she? if you dont want to go the whole hog and go to a and e you could call the hv who could have a look at her. or the practice nurse at your gp surgery

[savidgerl]

Ring NHS direct and they will tell you more advice. My son jumped out of his cot one night and they were really helpful. I am sure everything will be OK

[marymaryquitecontrary]

she is 13 months. Can't call the HV though, as since I changed GPs at 4 months old, I stopped going to the baby clinic and I've never met the woman!!

[marymaryquitecontrary]

she is 13 months. Can't call the HV though, as since I changed GPs at 4 months old, I stopped going to the baby clinic and I've never met the woman!!

[misdee]

you can still call her!

[acnebride]

of course you can call her, that's what she's there for! she's paid to help you (in theory - see other HV threads passim...)

try not to worry - your dd sounds fine though I would keep an eye on her - as if you wouldn't

[pucca]

Oooh my dd did this to me, at a similar age, she cried for a little while but i think it hurt me more than her!! I just kept an eye on her, she was fine i ended up with a huge bruise though.

HTH

[nailpolish]

just because youve never met the hv doesnt mean you cant call her! she wont judge you for not taking your baby to the clinic. i hardly took my 2 to the clinic either, and my hv wasnt bothered. give her a call

[TheBlonde]

Can you get an emergency appt with your GP?

[Bugsy2]

To be honest there is nothing a GP or nurse can do that you can't do yourself. They could check to see if her pupils are dilated, check her temperature & that is about it.
If you are really, really worried you might as well go to A&E.
I think it is unlikely that if she hit your head with hers, she has done anything that serious - but that is my completely unqualified opinion.

[singersgirl]

Children's heads are remarkably resilient. DS2 flipped himself over the bar of one of those small trampolines a week ago, landing on his forehead on a brick patio. I couldn't believe he hadn't injured himself seriously, but apart from a large bump he has been fine.

Hospital or NHS direct tell you to observe your child for 48 hours and seek medical attention if they vomit, become disorientated, are unusually drowsy, complain of serious headache, have double or blurred vision, have dilated or uneven pupils or otherwise act strangely. If the child falls asleep immediately or soon after the bump, you should rouse them every hour or so for the first six hours (easier said than done if the child has hurt their head near bedtime).

TBH, if your daughter just bumped her head on yours, I think she is probably fine!

We have had many bumps to the head and I am a pro at watching for symptoms.

[marymaryquitecontrary]

Thanks everyone for your advice! DD is now back to normal levels of health and naughtiness! I think she'll survive!

All your kind words were much appreciated.XXX