WIBU me or DH? 5yo with minor head injury

[wrappeduplikeapresent]

5yo DD slipped over on the hardwood floor earlier. She tried to put her hands out to save herself but wasn't quite quick enough and fell right on her forehead. She cried out as soon as it happened then sobbed her heart out cuddled up on my lap for a couple of minutes but she has been her normal self since then. Chatting, playing, eating normally. We put a cold compress on her head almost as soon as it happened and although there is no lump, it's very red on one side of her forehead, just above her eyebrow and you can tell she'll probably have an impressive bruise tomorrow.

I checked the NHS advice for minor head injuries in children online and it says that if your child has a bump on the head you should monitor them, encourage them to rest and "avoid getting them excited" or doing anything physical for 24 hours even if they seem fine.

We had planned to go to a theme park a couple of hours drive from here tomorrow but haven't mentioned it to DD yet. DH thinks we should still go as she seems fine. I agree that she seems ok and I'm not particularly concerned. But I still think we should follow the NHS advice so that means a quiet day at home tomorrow or maybe if she still seems ok we could take her somewhere local that's a bit more low-key than a day at a theme park. DH thinks it's OTT to change our plans based on this.

For context, a child in my family died very suddenly a few years ago following what initially appeared to be a very minor ailment so although I am generally quite laid back about most things, I suppose that could be affecting my judgement.

So, MN Jury, who is BU here? Would you change plans or carry on as normal?

I'd check the concussion guidelines. I would delay rough fairground rides if there were signs of conscussion. Otherwise I'd have the day out.

Carry on, but watch her. A five year old won't be allowed on any super head snappy rides anyway, so I would go anr enjoy yourselves. Obvs watch for vomiting, sleepiness and painful headache complaints.

FYI, My DD1 (age 7) came off her bike and had a total goose egg but was fine the next day and still did tumbling in gymnastics, so I am on the more relaxed side clearly.

Does the theme park have to be tomorrow? How much of a hassle would it be to change the date? The chances of it being an issue are fairly small but if it's easier to change the day of the theme park visit to one where you'll be less anxious and the chances of exacerbating the bump are reduced then why not?

I’m with your OH.

I think your being a bit OTT Aslong as she’s fine today then go for it.

Totally get your feelings on this. I would say I would still go. But YANBU.

I would go but I understand why you're extra cautious because of losing a child in the family previously

For such a minor bump I wouldn’t change my plans.

I’d go, as long as she didn’t show any signs of concussion in the meantime.
I didn’t realise that was the guidance, when mine have had head injuries with no concussion we’ve carried on as usual the next day as long as they felt fine. I took 5 year old DD to the walk in centre recently after a bump to the head and we weren’t told this (she went to school the next day).

I would also be paranoid enough to defer the day out. Have a quieter day out somewhere else. Is there a forest near by you can go to? Or a beach? Somewhere outside but not rough like a theme park?

I’d go without a second thought

I'd go as well

Presumably by the time you get to the theme park it’ll be close to 24 hours since the incident anyway? I wouldn’t change plans based on what you’ve said. It sounds like a fairly minor bump and she’s not showing any signs of concussion.

It wouldn't occur to me not to go

Oh god, I've never thought of myself as being neurotic but looks like I am Thank you all for being kind and not flaming me.

To answer a few questions. No, it doesn't have to be tomorrow, we have passes so don't have to book in advance. We could also go on Friday but DH thinks it will be busier, I think as it's half term it probably makes no difference.

The advice was from our local NHS trust website so I suppose could be different in different areas, although that seems odd if it is as surely head injuries should be treated the same everywhere.

So long as she isn't dizzy or sick over the rest of the day and night she should be absolutely fine to go tomorrow. Just keep an eye on her through the course of the day out as she is old enough she should be able to say if she starts feeling unwell from being jostled. I don't think you are being unreasonable at all, being a concerned mummy bear is your job. Hope you have a lovely day out

Monitor over night. If she is fine- no headache, no dizziness etc, then I would go. She is too young for anything rides that would throw her around anyway.