Suddenly, that scream—and here comes the crying! Healthy kids never stop, and accidents with children can happen at any moment. The other day I had quite a scare! Melissa fell from the top of the sofa she was jumping on (thanks to her brother’s influence, lol), and then came the wailing. Of course, a fall like that makes us worried—after all, it wasn’t just a little tumble. Accidents with children are common; sometimes mothers may feel guilty, but in situations like those I’ve experienced, all it takes is a blink of an eye for something to happen, even when you’re being careful and watching all the time.

I’ll never forget the scariest moment I had with one of my kids, which was a choking incident with my oldest daughter. I admit I was traumatized for a while, and that moment still stays in my mind. Anyone who doesn’t know my son thinks I’m exaggerating, but he’s always on the move, jumping from here to there. Now that he’s 7, when he falls, it’s for real. One day, during one of his kangaroo adventures, he fell mouth-first onto the corner of the stairs, splitting his gum and inside his mouth too. Luckily, he didn’t break any teeth, suffer any fractures, or even need stitches, but there are cases when that is necessary.

When to Seek Medical Help?

Children’s falls should be monitored after they happen, and there are some important signs to watch for and take into account:

  • Signs of concussion such as vomiting and excessive sleepiness
  • Loss of consciousness (fainting)
  • Complaints of dizziness
  • Suspected fracture
  • Check if the baby or child is bleeding or has any cuts
  • In more severe cases, check if the child is breathing
  • Lack of response (apathy) even if the child is breathing

In some cases, you need to take your child to the hospital—and if it helps ease your mind, mom, then do it! Usually, children’s falls are minor; you just need to keep an eye out, and at any sign of change, going to the hospital is a good idea. Some say children shouldn’t sleep after a fall, and that’s because it makes it much easier to notice any neurological changes that may occur—the observation period should be 24 hours. If your child does sleep, keep watching and try talking to them; as long as they respond, it’s okay.

Bump on the head! That’s always scary! Taking care right after a fall can help prevent it from forming or at least make it smaller. A cold compress, an ice pack, or as my mom used to do, a spoon on top of the bump can help reduce it. But know that the bump isn’t as serious as it may look. If the child’s fall results in a broken tooth, there are ways to restore it—just place the broken piece in milk and take your child immediately to a dentist. If your baby falls out of bed, one of the most common accidents, and the baby is acting normally, just keep an eye on them; if it seems more serious, it’s best to have a doctor check your child.

Remember, mom, accidents with children happen, and we’re bound to get scared sometimes. If your child is mischievous like mine, no matter how careful you are, there will always be a scare or two! The secret is to try to stay calm so you can take the best possible care of your little one!

Kisses and see you soon!

See also: Choking—Mariana Ferrão went through this scare and so did I

Photo: Christian Ostrosky