To go to A&E or AIBU not to go to A&E

[Iburntthecakes]

I'm in a panic.

DD (6weeks old) was asleep in a sling whilst I was clearing out the cupboards. A jam jar fell out and landed on her head. It was full and heavy but I did half catch it so the impact was lessened.
She immediately yelled at me but has now settled down to sleep again within a minute or two.
No sign of any injury but I'm having visions of intracranial bleeding or fractured skulls.

On the other hand she seems quite content again so I'd probably be laughed out of A&E for being panicky new mum
What to do?

A&E staff won't laugh at you for wanting to check out a potential head injury in a newborn. Go. If only to set your mind at rest.

I'd go I think, just for the peace of mind. Maybe NHS direct first?

I'd go to A&E to be honest. The lack of a lump (unless I've misunderstood?) and the going straight back to sleep would have me needed reassurance from a professional.
Hope it is nothing though, and that you're not feeling too freaked out either

Go.

Hospital won't be particularly worried unless she's drowsy or vomits.
So I'd keep her home and monitor for that.

Why don't you phone your GP and ask for a telephone appointment? I'd imagine they'd be able to reassure you without a trip to A&E.

I'd go too. They won't at all mind.

As far as I am aware, you shouldn't let a baby/child sleep after a head bump due to concussion. I'd try to wake her up, and see if she wakes up properly. Then call NHS direct for advice if she's awake and looks normal and happy and not sleepy.

I'd go too, just for peace of mind

Official guidance is to wake her up and keep her awake for at least an hour, while checking for signs of sickness, etc.

I'd either call the doctors, or go to A&E. They won't laugh, and it's better to be safe than sorry.

Please take you daughter to A&E dont wait until she vomits or becomes unconsious. Take her now, an put your mind at ease

Go. Don't even hesitate, go now.

Hmm, I know my GP quite well. I'll give them a quick call first I think. There's no lump. I've just woken her up to make sure she's not abnormally drowsy and she's feeding ok and seems her usual self.
convinced she's looking at me reproachfully

I would ring the GP and ask for advice before going to A and E.

Not letting them sleep is old school now - as long as they respond when prodded they can sleep.

I think I'd go. Newborns are quite often sleepy and vomity when they haven't been cracked on the head, so I'd think she needed to be checked out.

YANBU for going to A&E, YABU for asking here instead of taking your child to be checked out, now go woman! she will be fine im sure, but please, just go, or you wont sleep tonight

Please go. You'll only worry all day if you don't.

That advice is for children - no idea about newborns so ring the GP.

I would go immediately, though I'm sure all will be fine.

Yes, OP. It's probably absolutely fine but go to put your mind at rest.

Give the woman a break, it's no different from kevringing my mum for advice on an injury which I do all the time

I would pop to a&e lovely, it should be quieter in the muddle of the day vs a fri/sat night, it will give you leave if mind. If she was older I'd say just watch and monitor but she's so little and will sleep so much anyway that it's best to gave a once over by a doctor I think. And I am the Queen of head injuries residing at Yetanothersmackonthebonce Towers.

Thanks all. Very lovely GP seems to think all sounds fine from my description but will see her this afternoon just to be sure. Baby now cooing and smiling on her playmat so I'm feeling slightly less like a terrible mother!

Please go asap.... hope all is ok

NHS direct would also tell you to look out for any abnormal behaviour, which is hard to tell in a baby so young. I banged DS' head when he was about the same age and they told me to gently stir him every hour when asleep for 24hrs - not full waking but just enough to get a response

Glad GP is going to see you. Hope its soon.