To think this is fine re child head injury?

[Nats1984]

Usually a very chilled parent that has a good judgment of what an illness or injury needs. By this I mean I usually treat minor stuff at home and it’s never turned out to be a poor decision and the few trips we’ve had to hospital and ‘see and treat’ type places have resulted in them needing something like an X-ray or immediate antibiotics just to be sure. Oldest child is an adult now so I should know my stuff. Be kind, I’m having a wobble. DS 4 has had a busy day and is overtired and being a bit daft this evening. Went tearing down the hall, misjudged a corner and quite impressively nutted the wooden architrave of one of the doors. Cried immediately, was consoled within a minute or two and wet flannel applied. Mark on head is above eye but almost in the hairline so top of forehead, it’s about a 50p piece and only a tiny bit raised. Bluish ( on Irish milky skin) he’s enjoying his hot milk and watching the tv now. Would you keep him up for a bit? Would you let him sleep soon as he’s willing to settle? I’ve uncharacteristically had a good slosh of wine so I’m a bit paranoid , Daddy is here and is absolutely sober ( he’s had 2 beers but is a huge guy so unaffected ) it’s approaching his usual bedtime so I’m not sure whether to stick with his routine or encourage him to stay up for a bit to be monitored. Also , Am I the only mother who always gets a drama the minute she lets her hair down? Is that a thing?

My kid does this all the time, I’d only be worried if he’d vomited after, lost consciousness or was dopey / didn’t cry but seemed spaced. I’d send him to bed as usual.

But no one can tell you what to do, if you want to seek reassurance could always call 111

Did he lose consciousness?
Does he feel sick?
Does he feel drowsy?

If the answer to all of these is no, I’d probably not worry too much but I am not a medical professional.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/minor-head-injury/

NHS says go to sleep if tired, unless other symptoms appear. I’d probably be checking the kid periodically for a few hours.

And yes, it’s absolutely expected that, as soon as you let your hair down a tiny bit, some nonsense immediately happens.

I'd also send to bed if not drowsy or sick and check every few hours over night.

I think a&e would be happy to check your child out if you were at all concerned - they see a lot of this. So if you are worried about him being difficult to wake, not his normal self, not moving normally, vomiting, more protruberant bruise, unusual discharge from ears or nose, then don’t hesitate to go. I’d probably try to keep him up for a bit or wake him to check on him in a few hours if he is very tired now.

Thanks guys. No he absolutely didn’t lose consciousness and wasn’t drowsy or nauseous. He’s had his bedtime milk and enjoyed it. Seems very much himself. Even now the bump looks small and probably something nursery would give me a note about at the end of the day. He’s still being a bit hyper and daft actually, he’s often like this after a busy day and we have to do all sorts of things to help him settle like making it dark and telling him the prime minister has turned the internet off for the night. He’s absolutely himself. I’m being daft aren’t I? Shall I start the ‘go to bed routine?’ Daddy seems completely unconcerned. But then I don’t think he has alcohol guilt like mummy. I’m in ‘bad parent guilt mode’ because I’m a bit squiffy. Why do they always do this?

Yeah. It's a bit like on hospital dramas when they say the moment somebody says it's quiet a trauma will come home, same with parents relaxing. It's definitely a thing.

I used to be an anxious parent so my DC had a lot of trips to A&E to have obs taken and me given a handout. Then along came covid and I relaxed about the head injury trips, and that has been a good thing. Mostly because I feel more anxious about getting or my kids getting Covid than there being any issues from the head injury than anything else. My anxiety just rerouted itself. But IME it's a waste of time unless it's a serious fall, they are sick or in incisors that kind of thing.

Unconscious not in incisors

I'd put him to bed and then poke him every hour before midnight- if he's responsive you can rest easy.

But do stop calling your partner Daddy, it's a bit House of Cards creepy

DS had very many head bumps (SN) when he was little, but one particularly large egg does stand out, literally it stood out mile from his head. Dr said fine to let him sleep, but to gently disturb him every half hour -hour to ensure I got a response. If you're worried I'd do that.

Another one here who had an accident-prone DS. It all sounds find imho but one other check I learned from the doctors: move your finger from side to side across his line of vision and ask him to follow your finger with his eyes. If both eyes are tracking in the same direction simultaneously it's another good sign that all is well.

@DolphinDreams

Another one here who had an accident-prone DS. It all sounds find imho but one other check I learned from the doctors: move your finger from side to side across his line of vision and ask him to follow your finger with his eyes. If both eyes are tracking in the same direction simultaneously it's another good sign that all is well.

Thank you for reminding me of this one! I’d forgotten this entirely . I’ve just done this aswell to my bemused son and he has passed this assessment too. I’ve put him to bed, he won’t sleep for an hour or so, then we’ll just check him a few times before we settle. Will order a pizza and put a film on once he’s asleep so we stay up a couple hours longer . His Dad is amazing to be fair. We aren’t even a couple anymore but he’s always here when needed . He’s staying overnight. I took a photo of DS’s bruise to send to my sister and you can’t actually see it in the photo, sounded like a real whack though so I’m staying cautious . I’m very grateful for everyone’s input.

It sounds fine tbh. Check pupils are same size and there is no discharge from ears or nose.
I’ve taken mine to A&E for head bumps and they’ve checked their vitals and sent them home, telling me to keep an eye on them

Ah, the old bank holiday injury syndrome. If he didn't conk out or vomit, he's probably fine. Typical it happens when you've had a drink.

You're not being daft, you're being a responsible parent! 👍🏼

@WaterBottle123

I'd put him to bed and then poke him every hour before midnight- if he's responsive you can rest easy.

But do stop calling your partner Daddy, it's a bit House of Cards creepy

Point taken. It is actually creepy.. he’s been daddy for a while . I hadn’t noticed it to be fair. I think for convenience hes ‘daddy’. He’s my sons daddy. He’s actually my ex though, my very well liked, ex when he’s actually at the house , on site , he’s an amazing dad. Sons fine, fast asleep now , we keep checking him. I’m grateful for the support. Will check him through the night . .

@DearTeddyRobinson "bank holiday injury syndrome" 😂😂😂

Glad he is ok. I swear I have at least one dc at any time sporting a bump on the head after diving off bunk beds or falling into something

@DearTeddyRobinson

Ah, the old bank holiday injury syndrome. If he didn't conk out or vomit, he's probably fine. Typical it happens when you've had a drink.

It actually feels like this is the case! The only time my daughter went to A&E she’d cut her finger ( I’m not neurotic is was as impressive gash, she did need some stitches, it was the only time I’d gone out since she was born, she was 18 months old. I found myself in A& E feeling like the worst parent in the world. Said child will be 20 this year, my stepchildren are all taller than I am, I really feel like like my son would benefit from the old mum, the relaxed one . I’ve just checked him . He’s fine . Raising children from different generations basically just gives you the worst of both worlds .