Toddler face planted concrete

[HeadThump]

My 18m old was sitting on the little step/ledge between the grass and patio in the garden earlier.

He somehow lost his balance and fell forward and landed with a huge thump and then just stayed there lying face flat on the ground until I got him (about half a second as I was right there but it sounded and looked so traumatic.) I thought he would at least have put his hands down first to spare his head, maybe they only learn to do this later?

He hit the ground with his forehead first. His forehead and nose are grazed, slight bump on the forehead but barely visible. He cried for a bit then started running around all excited again after just a few minutes.

Should I be worried? I'm not sure how I wasn't quick enough to prevent the fall in the first place and feel so awful:(

It will be the first of many!
Just keep an eye on him. But it sounds like hes ok. Kids are resilient.

Awww hun, I know what that's like. I remember my son out the back garden when he was 2 and fell with his juice cup. He didn't put his hands out and got a whack on the forehead. I rushed him to A&E and they said he'd just have a sore head for a week or so with the bump. Toddlers are stronger than they look but if you've any concerns please just head to A&E to put your own mind at ease. He'll be fine and will start learning to put his hands out. Its hard not to feel for them though seeing their wee tumbles. As long as he's not being sick or drowsy he'll be ok!

He'll be fine.. they bounce well ! And no they don't learn to put their hands out yet... there will be a fair few bumps along the way!

If it makes you feel better, my 18m old climbed up on the lovely huge (proper Silvercross )pram.. he could scale anything... and tipped the whole thing over, smashing the handle into his face. His face swelled up like the elephant man and the docs at the hospital had to jiggle his nose back into position (just soft cartilage at that age). I can't describe how bad it looked!

He was fine and luckily his 5 month old sister wasn't in the pram at the time!!!

That was the first of MANY accidents. He's now 30... and currently has a broken foot from a martial arts class accident.!!!