Child head injuries - I swear…the table jumped out at him!

I don’t think I will ever forget the sight and the ‘sound’ of when my baby first rolled off the lounge. Fortunately he was not seriously hurt, but if you had witnessed the event and saw how my husband and I reacted you may have thought quite differently!

Then there was the time he fell off the bed, crawled into the cornice of the wall, bungy jumped down the back step or ‘face planted’ into some furniture! I now know that the ‘first time is the worse time’ and every time something happens, especially with baby number 2, I am now far more in control and less over reactive (my husband, not so!).

With child head injuries, identifying and understanding what constitutes a serious head injury, requiring immediate medical attention, and what is only a minor head injury, requiring tender loving care is a fine line and one that you understand far better over time, but for those of you who are seeking some simple guidelines, please read on.

I have found that the injuries requiring ‘tender loving care’ follow the same pattern of events; the sound of a ‘thud’, a moment of silence and instant look of ‘shock’, an ambitious attempt on my count to make my baby laugh, failing this, minutes of squealing and streams of tears, ceasing when a favourite drink and toy is offered. Crisis adverted!

It can be difficult to tell if a head injury is serious or not and if in doubt you should always seek medical advice.

Especially never hesitate to call an Ambulance (000), if your child shows any of the following signs:

Loss of consciousness, especially if longer than 30 seconds.
Drowsiness and does not respond to your voice.
Has other significant head injury signs, such as unequal pupils, arm and leg weakness.
Has something stuck in their head.
Has had a fit or convulsion.

Additionally, you should immediately contact your doctor and seek medical advice if your child shows any of the following signs:

Has lost of consciousness for less than 30 seconds.
Has vomited twice or more.
Has a headache.
Has a large bruise, lump or cut on the head.

In the event that your child has not lost consciousness, and is alert and interactive, may have a small bruise or cut on their head, but otherwise seems to be acting ‘normally’ apply a cold pack to the injury and pressure to any slight bleeding. If your child is sleepy, let them sleep but you can wake them every hour to check how they feel or that they are reacting as per normal to familiar things. It is important to monitor your child and at any point you feel that things just aren’t ‘normal’ never hesitate to seek medical advice.

Now, thankfully all my experiences have been very minor and apparently child head injuries statistics conclude that boys will fall more than girls. So, with that in mind, my little men and I are doing our bit for science!

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156 Comments

- - mom81879 said
  - 30 Jun 2018
    10:00 am
Head injuries in your little ones are so freakily terrifying and unfortunately relatively common. Handy to know the things to keep an eye out for signs of serious injury

- - mom94125 said
  - 04 Jan 2015
    1:28 pm
my child fell and cut their chin on the skirting board! i freaked out but luckily they were fine. Any time that they trip and bite their tongue or lip also still makes me freak out. i see the blood and feel sick for my poor child.

- - Threelos said
  - 20 Aug 2014
    1:13 pm
It’s quite horrifying how many times kids bump their heads. I always instantly imagine the worst – brain damage, cracked skull etc…. but they are usually fine, and have forgotten about it long before we do!

My son fell and hit his head, and had a deep cut, so we took him to emergency. They gave us all the info on what to watch out for but said it didn’t require an xray or anything.

- - kazh said
  - 17 Aug 2014
    11:31 pm
It’s terrifying, but it’s probably a parenting rite of passage

- - neddie said
  - 08 Aug 2014
    5:57 pm
We have only had one head injury when my son fell off the couch and bumped his head on the coffee table and he cut his head open. They only glued it up and still he has a small scar on his head but they said the same thing – go home and watch him and if he vomit’s call the ambo’s.,

- - levismumma said
  - 30 Jun 2014
    9:27 am
good to know the signs too look out for, i still get into a panic when my son falls down

- - no1ladydj said
  - 12 Jun 2014
    11:58 pm
Unless the bump or damage is obviously really minor, I wouldn’t hesitate to get it checked by a doctor. When it comes to your health, or that of your children, you can never be too careful. I’d rather be a Mum who goes to the doctor to get something checked out, than be a Mum who lived with the regret of not having done that.

- - eestigirl said
  - 07 Jun 2014
    3:13 pm
With head injuries there is often lots of blood streaming down too, as well as that awful crying. Trying to comfort the child while finding some way to clean up the blood to actually see the extent of the injury is almost impossible until a little time has passed. Thanks for the main signs of a serious situation.its so hard to think when someone you love gets hurt like that.

- - catgrrl3 said
  - 27 May 2014
    10:03 pm
I would rather have an ambo come out and laugh at me, than for there to be something wrong and have done nothing
- scottie replied
  
  31 May 2014 , 3:53 pm
  I always say the same thing and usually they will guide you over the phone before sending the ambo out as well
  - ginoula5 replied
    
    27 Aug 2014 , 6:51 pm
    
    I’m the same catgrl, rather be safer than sorry.
- - mom57522 said
  - 26 May 2014
    3:10 pm
Thankfully no serious head injuries, just a lost tooth once.

- - christial said
  - 14 May 2014
    11:20 pm
Head bumps have to be taken seriously! Especially if there is ever a loss of consciousness!

- - Mellypenny said
  - 13 May 2014
    4:38 pm
Ohhh yes dont we know the thud of a head hitting something?! Such a horrible thing.. Thanks for the tips though

- - cherz said
  - 07 May 2014
    2:34 pm
If in doubt get checked out. We consistently see on TV about calling on Ambulance at the signs of pain in the chest etc, better to be safe than sorry they say. So if the fall or injury looks bad or you are concerned seek medical help.

- - shazzbot said
  - 02 Apr 2014
    4:06 pm
Thanks for sharing it was a good read.

- - jtama said
  - 31 Mar 2014
    2:00 pm
I can remember the first time my little girl bumped her head I felt so terrible I think I cried more then she did and it didn’t evan leave a mark as time goes on I am a lot more relaxed now