18 month old had horrible fall, can't stop thinking about it

[AugustSeptemberOctober]

A couple of hours ago. I answered the door to get a parcel, and as I re-entered the room I saw her dive off the arm of the sofa, head first, onto the laminate (over concrete) floor. In that moment I was sure she was either dead or had broken her neck. She obviously cried, but only for a couple of minutes. She wasn't unconscious at all, and quickly asked for a "kiss better". Within 5-10 minutes she was racing around the room full of beans, laughing, talking. I'm sure nothing is broken and she's not in any pain.

I've just put her to bed, about an hour later than usual, and she remained her lovely, lively little self. But I keep hearing the smack of her head against that floor and thinking how can she be ok? I'm terrified she might have a bleed on the brain or something. Would I know that by now? I've been weighing up whether or not to call 111, but decided that her behaviour since wouldn't warrant it. I'd imagine they'd just want her monitored for a few hours anyway. Will probably sleep on the floor beside her cot tonight.

Not sure why I'm posting, but DH is at work, I'm home alone and need to get it out I think.

I would call 111 for advice. I'm sure it's fine but better than being up all night worrying.

I'd call. It's a head injury, you really should get her checked out.
Hopefully she's fine.

That sounds pretty standard for a toddler to be fair.

I'd check on her through the night, make sure you can rouse her every couple of hours (not fully awake but enough that you're sure she hasn't lost consciousness).

Google signs of concussion so you know what to look for just incase.

It sounds like she's fine, but good to err on the side of caution with stuff like this.

My middle child was walking at 9 months, he always had a bruise or bump on his head until he was at least 2. I was once sat in the Dr's room for an appointment and he took off across the room, tripped and smacked his head on the old fashioned metal weighing scales. Two big lumps came up instantly. The Dr said oh dear. Take him home and put some frozen peas on it 🙄

I think this is normal

Mine has done this sort of thing before including down the stairs

It always scares me but they bounce like rubber balls

She hit her head, I'd definitely be checking this out.

I'm she's fine; but head injury was always something I got checked out. (I'm in Ireland so not going to comment on what to do to check it out, as I know it's different in the UK).

Firstly it is normal to replay these horrid incidents, they are upsetting. So just be kind to yourself and accept it wil fade away but not immediately.

I also would get a head injury checked so you could always ring 111.

When I am worried I read the NHS advice page and just do what they tell me!

The very first time I let teen ds take baby ds out in the buggy it went down 3 steps onto a concrete yard... Blue lights to hospital but he was fine....
Worst moment of my life. Best get checked out op..

One of my DC fell from height as a toddler - sat on a (6ft tall) relative's shoulders, the DC suddenly threw themselves backwards and fell head-first to the ground (tarmac). I can still remember the hideous sound of their head hitting the floor and it's been 10+ years.
DC was fine. We took them to A&E to get checked over just in case as I couldn't believe they were still alive as a child in our town had fallen backwards off a low (4ft) wall a few weeks earlier and died from head injuries.
I'd phone 111 for advice just for peace of mind.

My daughter hit her head on the floor when she rocked backwards on the bar stools to the floor. She was fine. It's a while ago and we did go to a&e but unless signs of anything being amiss such as vomiting all they do is ask you to sit and monitor them. I'd probably call 111 for peace of mind. I find it hard to settle when either of mine hurts themselves too.

Did you put a cold pack on her or anything? Does she have a bump/bruise?

I second ringing 111.
I fractured my skull when I was little - fell over and landed on my head on the concrete. My symptoms were dizziness and vomiting. Had a serious bleed on the brain that had to be urgently operated on. It happens. Laminate flooring isnt as hard as concrete though and has a bit of bounce so probably not likely to give a serious injury but I guess you never know.

My ds banged his head badly aged one. He had been walking a few weeks quite well...one evening he fell and hit his head on the window sill (low to the floor as part of the balcony doors). Sounded awful, he cried and promptly vomited

I was terrified, went straight to A&E. He was checked over and fine thank goodness.

Get them checked out just in case with 111 and keep an eye out overnight. I'm sure they're fine

It doesn't sound like she was showing any signs of concussion, but it really wouldn't hurt to call 111 for advice. As pps have said, keep checking on her throughout the night.

I promise you dc will have forgotten about it well before you do. But it's completely natural to keep going over it in your head and beating yours up about it. But keep reminding yourself, you're a good mum. If you weren't, you wouldn't feel so terrible about it. Toddlers and resilient and robust little creatures so do try and relax, don't give yourself a hard time

I sat my then 11 month old in his high chair, turned round for a second before going to strap him in & he managed to jump out & land flat on his face on the laminate floor. I thought he was either dead or would have a permanently flat face, he cried & 10 minutes later was like it had never happened. They are tougher than you think.

Aww I'm so sorry this happened and glad to hear she's ok! If you suspect any serious type of head injuries, I would definitely give the ER services a call and get her checked up. Even if it's just for peace of mind. It's always better to be safer than sorry.

Symptoms you are looking out for for serious head injuries like bleeds to the brain or concussion are:

Loss of conciousness
Unbalanced
Dizziness
Bruising around the eyes and ears
Clear fluid coming out of the nostrils and ears
Neausea
Memory loss

Whilst they may appear fine at first these symptoms may take up to 4 days to appear.

I'm sure she's fine and from the height you described it doesn't sound very high. From past experience, the drs said if it was a metre + high then they'd need to be checked.

Just keep checking on her throughout the night x