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Original poster

Regular bumps on head

15 replies

Ttforty · 09/10/2023 15:13

My 18mnth old is at nursery full time. We love the nursery- they are warm and kind and she seems to enjoy going. But they literally ring every other week at some point in the afternoon to inform us that she has banged her head. I don't mind the calls (it is obviously their policy)... but I do mind how regular the bumps are. They are not serious- but she literally never bumps her head at home and we are pretty relaxed/not helicopter parents (we let her free in the garden a lot). I just have my eye on her I suppose. She is naturally a cautious and stable toddler too- not a boisterous one or a bit unsteady on her feet.

Is this normal? What should I say to the nursery??

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Original poster
Ttforty · 09/10/2023 15:20

For context- she must have banged her head now about 15/20 times

OP posts:
KateyCuckoo · 09/10/2023 15:43

Well she's the only one you're watching and the only one on the equipment.

Try watching a minimum of 3 18 month olds or younger in a mass group to compare.

If its not acceptable to you then sure say something, but don't compare like for like.

Original poster
Ttforty · 09/10/2023 18:46

KateyCuckoo · 09/10/2023 15:43

Well she's the only one you're watching and the only one on the equipment.

Try watching a minimum of 3 18 month olds or younger in a mass group to compare.

If its not acceptable to you then sure say something, but don't compare like for like.

Thanks. I get that. I'm just concerned if it is not normal and a sign that they are slack when it wouldn't be happening in other nurseries- ie could it be a worrying sign and there be a risk a bad accident could happen?

OP posts:
KateyCuckoo · 09/10/2023 18:52

Not necessarily, I mean they are noticing that she's bumping her head. I'd be more concerned if she had injuries they couldn't explain. I would also be cautious of saying something and making them hide future bumps from you. I'd always rather know especially when it comes to head bumps. It sounds like they are very thorough at reporting back to you which I personally would be pleased about.

HAF1119 · 10/10/2023 15:33

Mine (though he's a clumsy one) would get about one a week, still is now he's at school. Sometimes 2 in a week! Definately he gets more than at home but he's not going to be as close to an adult at all times, and there are more children to bump into him (he's little for age) so he just ends up being a faller! Have a chat with them if concerned by the frequency of course, but if they have give the cause of how it happened and reported adequately you may find it happens anywhere.

Are there older children in the room? As sometimes that can be a cause, with a younger more unsteady one and bigger steady ones running about. Other than that it can just be part of it!

Original poster
Ttforty · 11/10/2023 16:39

HAF1119 · 10/10/2023 15:33

Mine (though he's a clumsy one) would get about one a week, still is now he's at school. Sometimes 2 in a week! Definately he gets more than at home but he's not going to be as close to an adult at all times, and there are more children to bump into him (he's little for age) so he just ends up being a faller! Have a chat with them if concerned by the frequency of course, but if they have give the cause of how it happened and reported adequately you may find it happens anywhere.

Are there older children in the room? As sometimes that can be a cause, with a younger more unsteady one and bigger steady ones running about. Other than that it can just be part of it!

Thank you. That's reassuring

OP posts:
ShadowPuppets · 11/10/2023 16:45

I think this is fairly normal. I would be more concerned about the explanation on how it happened - I’d expect detail and if they’re vague I’d be concerned about supervision.

When did she start walking? My 16mo has had 3 bumps in the last month but he’s only been walking about 2 months. His older sister was well past head bumps at this stage but she walked at 10 months and started nursery at 14 months so she was fairly steady by the time she started. I think it’s less about how they walk at home, even a confident and cautious walker can topple when put in a room with a load of other wobbly kids. It’s less about their own walking ability, more about having ballast. Some of us never master it - I’ve been known to stumble when standing completely still (and while sober!)

Thefaceofboe · 11/10/2023 19:36

It’s normal, do you expect them to catch your child? There will be more bumps at nursery if there’s children running round and more challenging equipment to use

jannier · 18/10/2023 17:12

I have a child who gets bumped head messages two or three times a week....from school....ball hit head, turned towards child sat next to her and heads collided. So I guess some are more cautious than others.

Hellocatshome · 18/10/2023 17:16

Far more opportunities for them to bump their heads at nursery with all the equipment and other kids than at home. Mine had accident forms and head bump calls almost daily at that age. DS1 even managed to roll one of those Little Tyke cars completely onto its roof with him still inside it. He is the sole reason the nursery now no longer has them! Its normal and seems never ending but uts a phase she won't keep bumping her head for ever.

cauliflowerwaterfall · 03/12/2023 20:40

I have the same with my son (13 months). He very rarely bumps at home but it’s every day at nursery. I think it’s because of the ratio - it’s 1:1 at home and usually 2:1 or 3:1 at nursery. With the best will in the world, sometimes they have to take their eyes off him. I don’t like it but it is what it is… if he was getting serious injuries I’d be more worried.

mrsnjw · 04/12/2023 14:10

I would get her eyesight checked. It could be she has difficulty seeing things.

Borgonzola · 04/12/2023 14:23

Only every other week? I once got 3 in one day and the record is a phone call before 9am Grin

She's a clumsy little thing (16m) and she's just the same at home as she is at nursery.

cauliflowerwaterfall · 04/12/2023 16:13

Wow and I thought DS’s 1 per day was pretty good I will have to tell him to work harder 🤣

cauliflowerwaterfall · 04/12/2023 16:13

That was a reply to you @Borgonzola I haven’t quite figured MN out yet 😅

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