Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Original poster

So anxious after toddler bump to the head- advice needed

13 replies

specialneedsmumoftwo · 05/01/2018 18:10

Hi,

A few days ago my little girl (22 months) had an accident and fell onto her head. She had a huge bump straight away.

We were just about to leave the house...she was strapped in her pram and must have kicked her leg out and pushed against something as she toppled the pram onto its side onto the kitchen floor.

We took her to a&e, they didnt do xrays or scans as she has been 100% fine since it happened. I then took her to the GP yesterday, who said she really didnt think it was anything to worry about and was just soft tissue damage.

Im a wreck. Ive felt sick with anxiety ever since it happened. Im petrified her lump isnt going to go down...its still quite large in the centre of head and her bruise is changing colour everyday.

How long should I expect it to be before the bump and bruise goes? Im devastated everytime I look at her face Sad

OP posts:
alittlehelp · 05/01/2018 18:48

She will be fine - a&e will have checked for any signs of fracture and obviously there wasn't one or they'd have x-rayed. If she's fine in herself too then there's nothing to worry about.

BrightNewLife · 05/01/2018 18:55

Hi OP

Mum of three children and two boisterous boys here :')

My little one also had a massive bump to the head once and it popped up like an egg. Sounds a bit like your little one!

I did two child-specific first aid courses, and the thing that they conveyed to us was height. They might bump against sharp corners etc which will be very unpleasant, but it is falling from height (e.g. higher than them) that's the real danger.

Trust A&E - they know what they're doing. Use arnica cream - can help brushing etc go down quickly, and arnica pills to ease it, too.

All the best to your little one!

BendingSpoons · 05/01/2018 18:58

Swelling OUT is good, it means it hasn't gone in towards the brain. Honestly all children do this at some point. She has been fine since and been checked

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Behaviour & development Children's health Families General health
WombOfOnesOwn · 06/01/2018 18:09

Can I ask why you took her to A&E in the first place?

My sister is in the medical profession and when my child learned to walk, she told me that there are basically three circumstances under which you should go to A&E for a toddler head bump:

  1. The child loses consciousness, even for a moment
  2. There is a visible deformity of the skull, i.e. a part that seems "caved in"
  3. The child is acting very strangely -- highly lethargic or can't be settled

Other than that, she says, "toddlers are made of rubber." They're meant to get big egg-size bumps that would incapacitate an adult for a week while getting back up and playing with toys.

Since you already went to the unnecessary trouble of getting the child checked out by medical professionals, you REALLY don't need to worry. This won't be the last bump your child gets. Try not to feel too guilty, these are just part of growing up.

ArnoldBee · 06/01/2018 18:15

I took my child to a and e when he did this as he had already nearly died twice so as I love him dearly and want to keep him alive it was reasonable at the time especially as he was under the care of the children's hospital. Now he's 5 and been discharged I'm not so worried these days. To be honest Op I probably wouldn't have bothered with the GP and would have only sought professional help if the child had kids consciousness, been overly sleepy or had been vomiting.

Original poster
specialneedsmumoftwo · 06/01/2018 20:00

I took her to A&E as the fall was from higher than her actual height- an important factor apparently after ringing 111 for advice- and they told us to take her in.

OP posts:
BusterGonad · 06/01/2018 20:07

I'd say if 2 medical professionals say she is fine and she's acting fine then she actually is fine. I think you are feeling bad because as a mum you are suppose to protect her and you feel you haven't. You cannot watch your children 24/7. Try to relax and don't blame yourself.

lynmilne65 · 06/01/2018 20:08

I remember when my youngest ( who is now 38) falling out the front door in his baby walker on to concrete!!!

pastabest · 06/01/2018 20:12

Your pram must be really high up if she managed to fall from above her own height?

Anyway, DP fell downstairs holding DD when she was 5 months old and she whacked her head on the way down. We rang the GP for advice, once he had established she had a bit of an egg he wasn't worried, he said that eggs were good it meant the swelling was going outwards and to just keep an eye on her. She was fine.

bonzo77 · 06/01/2018 20:15

I think you’ve done the right thing, and it’s ok to be anxious. Having now had her checked out 2x, try to feel reassured. There will almost certainly be other falls and you will drive yourself barmy if you fret like this.

FWIW DS1 threw toddler DS2 into a radiator and he had a HUGE egg on his head for a week. We took him to a&e because no one actually saw it happen so thought best to check him. A&e were happy to check him “because we weren’t certain what had actually happened” and kept him
For 4 hours for obs just in case, though would not have if we’d seen the accident

Shadow1986 · 06/01/2018 20:16

Oh how horrible for you. I’ve heard if the bump comes out that’s a good thing...

My son took a big bump to the head and had very very obvious concussion, drowsiness, being sick - even then they refused to scan him...I think they just monitor and if she’s showing none of these signs I think she’s absolutely fine! Probably take a good week or two for bruise to go!

codswallopandbalderdash · 06/01/2018 20:21

OP - share your pain. I think part of your anxiety is because she has a noticeable bump and you maybe feel a bit guilty. But honestly we've all been there and it is awful when they hurt themselves (and you think you could've done something to prevent it)

My DS age about 16 months fell climbing out of wooden bed in such a way that he whacked his face on side of bed - massive bruise across face and a bump under skin. Didn't go to GP at time and it took ages to clear up an - months. but it did - even the little red line which took the brunt of the fall. But I felt like a shit mother because it looked so bad and I wasn't happy until it had gone

Tedster77 · 06/01/2018 20:28

She sounds absolutley fine! Do not fret!

One of mine fell down an entire flight of concrete steps with his arms behind his back at 2. I never panic but when I picked him up I properly screamed. His whole face was just blood and swelling. Even staff at the hospital did a double take when he went past. But he was absolutley fine. It was all just swelling, grazes and bruising. But you can imagine the fun I had taking my ‘battered’ toddler out over the next few weeks Shock. Stuff happens. Please don’t beat yourself up x

New posts on this thread. Refresh page