baby helmets

[VigourMortis]

DS is 8 months and has just started crawling. He moving around like lightening already and has hit his head against things several times.

I know he has to learn not to hurt himself and I don't want to be over-protective etc. but we have stone flooring and I can't bear the thought of him hitting it hard - and it'll be even worse when he starts coasting and walking.

So what's the view on helmets?

Each to there own, or maybe a thick knitted/fleece hat with turned over edge?

The vast majority of babies seem to survive happily without, babies' skulls are very thick and resilient. dd even fell down marble stairs. The one time you forget it will be the time he has a mishap. He'll learn soon enough.

i think they're BAD

he won't ever learn how to be careful if he wears a helmet. all you will teach him is that he can chuck himself down the stairs no problem
so one day when he has no helmet he'll risk a serious injury

babies have been fine without helmets for hundreds of years! yours will too

We have slate flooring in the kitchen. Didn't even dream of usig a helmet - surely a helmet would make it more difficult to move around.
I think little bumps are all part of the learning process.

Get some arnica, and let him learn

what about this lighter than the Thudguard

I'm sorry, they are just silly-looking and unnecessary IMO.

I have tiled floors all over my house, the children have learnt fairly quickly that it hurts and no major damage done (apart from my nerves!)

I agree with pps; he will end up hitting his head when you don't put it on - you couldn't possibly make him wear him it all the time!

I think more than anything I would be too embarrassed anyway - imagine at baby/toddler group/coffee mornings when he's the only one wearing a helmet!

Yep, ridiculous inventions in my opinion. Kids bump their heads, it's part of growing up. Some worse than others, my 2yo dd has had several egg-shaped lumps on her head and one trip to a&e for gluing back together but I would still never consider putting a helmet on her (apart from when we are on the bike). We all want to protect our kids from harm but IMHO they are a step too far and may hinder rather than help.

I agree with everyone else really. i know it is a huge worry and it's horrible when they hurt themselves, but it is unlikely that your ds will have a fatal accident.
I remember when i was younger, me and my younger brother were having a pillow fight with the cushions in the living room. I hit him quite hard and he fell backwards onto the tv unit and split the back of his head open. My parents had to rush him to A&E, but he was fine.
Both my ds's (14m and 2yrs) have both bashed their foreheads and needed them glued together, but they are ok and will (hopefully) be more careful.

Think of the negative effect a helmet may have on balance, head control etc.

If you are really worried, could you buy a few rugs to lay down until your ds is more sturdy? Pad around table edges and door frames with padded socks etc?
I really don't think there's any need for a helmet.

I think if you feel happier with him wearing a helment, then buy one. He doesn't need to wear it outside the house & I don't think he'll be thinking about throwing himself down the stairs.

FWIW My DD tripped & banged her head on tiles & it was horrific. Stone tiles have no give, so the impact will be against the head rather than say a plaster wall which will absorb some of the impact. DH also has a 2 inch scar on his forehead from catching his head on the corner.

THanks for your replies. I like the idea of a hat. We do have some rugs down but it's a big space. DS just seems very reckless the way he throws himself around and he's very young to learn much about his own safety.

I would only use a helmet if the child has a disability like not feeling pain or balance problems. other than that, an older baby or toddler is just not complete without a bruise on the forhead

Unless a child is disabled then no. I think it is over protective and frankly getting a child to keep a helmet on without a lot of stress and fighting will be near impossible. Getting a sun hat on DSs was bad enough.

DS1 stood on the arm of a sofa and swallow dived on to a marble floor head first at 18 month. I heard the thump, then an awful silence, I felt sick with dread, but after a few seconds he started crying and got a nasty bruise but otherwise fine.

Bumps and bruises are an important part of the getting-around learning process. Helmets give an entirely unjustified sense of security which then at some point they have to learn to do without! They're far likelier to do themselves damage at a later stage if they think they can fling themselves around without consequences.

They need to work out on their own what's a good/ bad idea.
Ds ALWAYS has bruises on his head! We sign at least 1 accident form every week at nursery.
I wouldn't use a helmet unless on a bike/ skateboard etc.
They do look a bit dippy wearing them!

Excellent point Beta - not many babies are happy to wear a hat