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Original poster

4 yr old head injury, school or no school?

26 replies

Feelings · 31/12/2017 21:38

My 4 yr old had a nasty head injury today at the park.
She went over the handles of her scooter and face planted the concrete.

She ended up with a huge split lip, broken front tooth and nasty bruising inside her mouth and around her chin/mouth area.
When we got to the hospital she threw up, and became sleepy which I was told can be quite normal in children who've just had a fall.
She didn't need stitches thankfully as the cut didn't go past the lip line, and they've left it as it is - it's pretty big and swollen though!
Basically I'm to watch for any signs of more vomiting, bad headache, drowsiness and all the things you would look out for after a bump.

She's been ok since, had some mash potato and yoghurt, but she has complained her chin is very sore.
The leaflet they gave me says they should go back to school once they're fully recovered.
She doesn't go back till the 4th, so she has a little time to recover but have a sensation she's going to need more than 4 days to completely heal.

I also need to book her into the dentist to get that tooth looked at.

So what would you do? Send her in or allow more time?

OP posts:
Appleandcinnamon · 31/12/2017 21:40

She doesn’t need to be completely healed just able to perform normally at school. See what she’s like on the 4th. I expect she will be normal within herself just a bit battered and bruised.

whyIsARavenLikeAWritingDesk · 31/12/2017 21:40

I'd personally see how she is nearer the time, you can't really make a decision for 4 days from now!
On the other hand that's a Thursday, you keep her off until the Monday, not much help I know sorry

IrkThePurist · 31/12/2017 21:41

Your poor DD, I wouldn't send her back this week. Take some photos now and in a few days time when the bruising shows, just in case the school question you.

Are you ok? My calves used to go to jelly when they DC's had an accident.

steff13 · 31/12/2017 21:43

The bruises and stuff are going to last a while. As long as she feels ok, I think she'd be fine to go back.

Original poster
Feelings · 31/12/2017 21:44

Irk my hands were shaking. I know as Mum were supposed to be brave for our kids but I just panicked, she was bleeding everywhere it was awful.

She has been so bloody brave!

Yes you're all right I know I need to wait until then, I think I'm just worried she won't be able to eat properly, hospital advised soft foods for now.

OP posts:
MrsU88 · 31/12/2017 21:46

its too soon to decide. wait and see how she is over the next few days...she will probably still be sore thu though.

my dd bumped her head, started been sick, had cat scan and all sorts and was fine 2 days later...running around being her usual self and giving me a heart attack worrying.

AbsentmindedWoman · 31/12/2017 21:51

4 is so little, I'm not surprised you feel wobbly OP. Your poor dd!

I'd see how she feels on Thursday. If she's keen to go to school and seems OK then cool, but if she feels a bit grotty and miserable and is still quite sore she might be more comfortable at home. A few extra days recovering snuggled on the sofa might be good. It sounds like she got properly bashed up, hope she recovers asap

NeverUseThisName · 31/12/2017 21:52

Poor little poppet. And poor you - it's horrible when your LO is hurt. But young children have amazing powers of recovery. You will be astonished how fast she recovers. She will no doubt still look bruised and scabbed on the 4th, but may be absolutely fine for school. Wait until then to decide. The school will be used to it, just let them know what happened when you drop her off.

IrkThePurist · 31/12/2017 21:54

Feelings You did well, I fainted once! Take it easy and treat yourselves when she's recovered. Do something nice together. Flowers

Greenshoots1 · 31/12/2017 21:56

she might well look and feel worse tomorrow. don't be surprised.

MiddleClassProblem · 31/12/2017 22:00

You can’t really decide until the 3rd at the earliest. Just see how it goes. Hope you’re both ok!

beautifulgirls · 31/12/2017 22:04

DD did this and had concussion, had to take to A&E due to vomiting etc. She was went back to school 2 days later although we didn't allow her to run around in the playground or do PE for a week, and school kept a close eye on her.

Mayhemmumma · 31/12/2017 22:07

How horrible for you both. Wait and see, don't feel any guilt keeping her off if she's not up to it, that kind of thing can really irritate speech, confidence, eating etc but she'll probably be fine by then touch wood.

Amanduh · 31/12/2017 22:09

I'd send her monday x

Original poster
Feelings · 31/12/2017 22:12

She's fast asleep now I just can't stop looking at her and feeling awful.
Those scooters are death traps, I left it in the park, she's never going one of those again!

Her lip looks so sore. But it has gone down massively since earlier so that's good.

Nurse said she will definitely feel it tomorrow. Poor baby.

4 yr old head injury, school or no school?
OP posts:
ElephantsandTigers · 31/12/2017 22:18

I would get someone to pick up the scooter and make sure you buy her a new helmet for when she goes on wheels again.

Glumglowworm · 31/12/2017 22:21

Poor poppet!

There’s no need to decide now. See how she is over the next few days and take it from there. If she needs a few extra days off then so be it, she’s only little.

Hope she feels better tomorrow! Be kind to yourself as well OP, you’ve had a nasty shock! BrewCake

Dragongirl10 · 31/12/2017 22:39

Op please make sure she always wears a helmet in future.....on a bike or scooter...

Also l would wake her briefly every couple of house tonight in case she has a concussion.....

Hope she gets better soon

Cornettoninja · 31/12/2017 22:41

Aw bless her, childhood injuries are the worst - for the parents. I dread to think what I put my poor mother through...

I agree with those saying to see how she goes. If she's struggling to eat or you need to get her to appointments then that may make the decision for you.

Try not to sway her though, she may be really looking forward to seeing her friends and I'm sure the school would be gentle with her if you had a word.

Original poster
Feelings · 31/12/2017 22:58

Sorry I should say she does have a helmet but she actually dashed off on the scooter in excitement without putting helmet on first! She was very rapid on it, it was too late by then.

OP posts:
NeverUseThisName · 01/01/2018 00:59

Please don't ban the scooter, and don't make a fuss about her going/not going on it again. To fall off and get back on again is a hugely important life lesson.

Talkingfrog · 01/01/2018 02:19

Bless her. Hope she feels better soon, and that you feel ok.

They bounce back quicker than we think. Unless you manage to see the dentist first and they say otherwise, I would see how she is on the first day of term. If she does go back to school, still let them know what has happened incase anything comes up.

My daughter was also 4 when she tripped at a farm and her fall was broken by a wooden bench. She was with my parents at farm and I had a call from my mum to say she had bumped her head. The first aiders had looked at it, but said she should really see a doctor.

I met them at the hospital and by then she was fine- other than the bump on her head. Doctor was impressed with the sterri strips put on by the first aiders and left them alone. Checked her over in general and let us go with a head injury leaflet and advice to keep an eye on her. She went back to nursery when term started 5 days later, still with the strerri strips, but I let them know what had happenedand she was fine.

As they saw it happen but could not stop it, I think my parents took longer to recover than my daughter. 2.5 years later she still grins when she tells people that she left blood over granddad's shirt. She still has a inch long scar there now (a bit like harry potter), but much fainter than it was and covered by her fringe.

BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 01/01/2018 14:53

I'm sure it was a horrible experience but I think you may well find that she'll be fine to go to school on the 4th.

My DS was in school the day after he broke his nose (Reception year) but I asked that he not take part in any ball games or PE for a few days. DD was about 6 when she had a nasty fall, tooth right through her lip, black eye etc, happened Saturday evening, went to school on Monday with teachers extra vigilant. For both children I went in at lunchtime to top them up with paracetamol for a couple of days.

Have a chat with the teacher (if that can happen at your school) or the office when you take her in, we would be happy to keep an eye on her and you always have the option of taking her some paracetamol if she needs it. I'll be honest though, it really doesn't look too bad in that photo. (Although the tooth is another matter - even as a milk tooth)

I hope you both recover from your shock. Cuddles for your DD and 🍷 for you.

Jobjobjob · 01/01/2018 14:56

I would keep her at home this week, she's 4, still very young and a lot of TLC goes a long way at that age.

Hope she (and you) recover quickly.

Jobjobjob · 01/01/2018 14:58

Also, you'll be totally stressed if you do send her. Why put yourself through the worry?

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