Handling when the baby falls and hits his head

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The skull is the best shell that protects the brain. It is covered by a layer of skin with a network of blood vessels. It is important to distinguish between traumatic brain injury and traumatic brain injury. In most cases, when a child falls, only the skull is injured. If the skin is broken, there can be a lot of bleeding. Broken blood vessels under the skin can also cause blood clots, forming a large tumor. This lump will shrink quickly if applied cold.

The biggest concern after a baby falls is brain damage, in the form of bleeding or concussion from impact. Hemorrhagic mass or edema will compress the brain, manifesting itself by a series of signs, hereinafter referred to as traumatic brain injury.

What to do when your baby falls on his head?

After falling, the baby's head may emerge a very large lump. Apply cold compresses here for 20 minutes. If necessary, after a 5-minute break, the application can be applied for another 20 minutes. Be patient, and you will see the tumor shrink. Keeping your baby still to apply the compress is very difficult, but you should try. Sometimes, after healing, the tumor can leave behind calcified tissue under the skin the size of a pea. Applying cold can help prevent this.

If the baby is awake, walking, talking, and playing normally like before the fall, just apply cold and monitor. Keep your baby awake for at least the first hour. Then put your baby to sleep for a while, but no more than 20 minutes.

Your baby should be seen by a doctor if the following signs are suspected of a traumatic brain injury:

Unconsciousness: If your baby is unconscious, even for a few seconds, you may think the impact was strong enough to cause a hematoma. If your baby cries right after falling, parents can rest assured that their baby is awake.

- Perceptual disturbances: Immediately after the fall, the baby is still awake, but after a while, there are abnormal signs such as agitation difficult to calm, lethargy, poor contact (baby can't focus attention on you, does not look you in the eye, does not follow your request, does not recognize a family member…). If your baby refuses to let you apply the cold compress, you can rest assured that your baby is still making good contact.

- Vomiting: If your baby vomits 3 or more times, you need to see a doctor. Often, after a fall, even without a traumatic brain injury, many babies may still vomit once or twice, either from crying, coughing, or simply from the impact of the skull. In case the baby vomits, within the first few hours after the fall, only give the baby clear water or breast milk, do not give the baby solid food.

- Walking unsteadily, losing balance: After falling, many babies may complain of dizziness. This is not dangerous. But if your baby loses balance and falls up and down while walking, you need to see a doctor right away. When your baby plays, watch to see if he can do everything the same as before (sitting upright, walking steadily, moving his arms and legs normally) or he staggers, drags his legs, loses his direction, etc. When walking, watch for anything unusual when your baby is sitting, crawling, or using his hands.

- Excessive crying, can't be comforted.

Persistent headache, especially bad if the headache is increasing.

- Eye signs: Within 24 hours after the fall, signs such as crossed eyes, uneven pupils, tripping or jumping at objects as if they can't be seen. Older children may have blurred vision, double vision (monovision).

- Bleeding or watering from the nostrils or ears

- Weakness in arms or legs.

- Sleep a lot: Babies often tend to fall asleep after falling, which makes monitoring their child's state of consciousness a difficult task for parents. If your baby falls at night, or near nap time, it can be difficult to tell if he's asleep because of the hour or because of an injury. If you can't keep your baby awake, let him sleep, but need to be closely monitored, every 2 hours. Take your baby to the doctor if he/she has the following signs: Skin color changes from pink to pale, purple; irregular breathing, very shallow breaths or pauses for 10-20 seconds; convulsions.

If you have any doubts and worries that do not want to wake your baby, wake him up partially. Pull your baby to sit or get up and then lay him down again (don't shake him to wake him up). Often, babies will hum and try to turn around to find a comfortable position. If the baby is not responding, it is necessary to wake the baby up completely by making the baby sit or stand up, open the baby's eyes, shake the baby. If your baby opens his eyes, wakes up, looks at you, whines or smiles and tries to lie down, you can rest easy. On the contrary, if the baby does not object, does not complain, pale skin, irregular breathing and shallow breathing, then you should take your baby to see a doctor.

Follow-up at home after being examined by a doctor

In some cases, despite having a traumatic brain injury, the baby has not shown any symptoms when examined and will be sent home by the doctor. The baby needs to be monitored for the next few days. Take your baby to the doctor again if he/she has one of the following signs: crying a lot; increased headache; nausea or vomiting a lot; trouble walking, speaking, or seeing; lethargy, difficult to wake up; abnormal movements, convulsions. 

If there are no abnormalities during the follow-up period, there is nothing to worry about in the long run. Remember that most falls cause minor injuries, but take your baby to the doctor if there's any doubt.

Dr. Thu Thuy - VnExpress