Mothers with babies who crawl/pull up..?

Question

My baby is 9 1/2 mo. and he has been pulling up and just yesterday started to really crawl and get places. But he loses his balance crawling or falls back when pulling up and loses his balance when he is sitting up and tries to turn around and go somewhere. I always am near him, but no right beside him. When he fell back once today he hit his head on the carpet and I could hear a pretty loud thud and he cried. I am worried that him hitting his head will result in some kind of head trauma or injury. Should I be worried about this? Do all parents stay right in the floor with their babies to prevent this or does it just happen to all babies?

Answer 1

Oh wow...when my older son was learning to walk/perfecting his crawling, people probably though we beat him! He was constantly falling and smacking the back of his head, his forehead, brusing up his legs from trying to climb up on the wooden kitchen chairs, etc. You can't follow him around 24/7...it's impossible. Babies are supposed to be wobbly. A few words of advice...move your coffee table up against a wall...if your baby is at the sofa and turns to walk toward it, he could fall and catch his forehead/eye on the corner. Try not to let him crawl on really hard surfaces (i.e. slate floors, tile, etc.) Basically just keep things padded for him...you can buy things at Babies R Us and Target to put on sharp corners so that if your baby does fall, it'll be padded. (If you have a glass top coffee or kitchen table, etc.)

My younger son is now crawling well, and starting to creep along. I've just gotten used to the fact that I can't protect him from everything...babies fall. They have to while learning to walk. Just try not to let him fall on hard/sharp things.

They're tough little creatures...a lot tougher than we think. :) Did you know a baby doesn't grow/develop knee caps until they're a little over a year old? Helps save their knees while they're learning to crawl. :)

Answer 2

Happens a lot. And unfortunately, no we cannot sit right there with them all the time. Make sure he is sitting on carpet not bare floor and you can also put a "boppy pillow" looks like a ring with an opening kind of like an inner tube comes in all colors and put it around him sitting him the middle that helps A LOT. And helps them to get stronger and more balanced. You can buy it at Target, Walmart, Babies R Us. Sometimes the thud sounds really bad, but if he does hit his head really hard. You just watch out for any changes in behavior of if they get really sleepy and if they have a bump then you have to be careful otherwise. The bumps and falls are natural just try to prevent as much as possible.

Answer 3

It would take a fall much higher up to the carpet to hurt him. He's going to fall a least 200-300 times or more between where he is now and when he's 2. His head is hard for a reason. The only time you should worry is if he: 1)is unable to console after 4 minutes or more of screaming. 2) a bump appears to sink in instead of popping out 3) if he's bleeding or unconscious. If any of that happens just take him to the ER. Otherwise just let him learn. Each time he falls he is learning his limits. He is learning to push himself farther and farther each time. This is how he grows and learns to crawl and walk. Before you know it he'll be jumping off the couch. Bumps and bruises from falls are completely normal and there's no threat of them causing brain damage or any damage at all. He'll be just fine and don't worry so much. When your second one comes you'll laugh that you were so worried about your first one falling. Good luck!

Answer 4

I am not a mother, but my son just turned 15 months (he was 10 week pre-mature) and is just now starting to walk on his own. When he was younger, he had some balance issues too. With as many times as he cracked his head on the floor you would think he would be a vegetable. However, he is actually pretty bright and outgoing (at least around women - he is a flurt already). It surprises me how little effect some babies have to falling backwards and having their heads bounce off the floor.
In short I tell you this to say, "Don't worry. It gets better. Just give it time." And enjoy the experience of your child.

Answer 5

I'm going through the same thing with my 9 1/2 month daughter. She started crawling in the first week of her 8 months and pulling up pretty quickly after that. I had the same question. What I have discovered is as long as he isn't goint to really hurt himself he needs to try pulling himself up to gain the muscle strength. His muscles and balance aren't really strong right now but they will be. My daughter used to have so many bruises and now she doesn't even have one. I have been right there next to my daughter and 2 feet away from her when she has fallen. You will find that as he gains strength he won't be falling as much and you will be able to relax a little. Unfortunately this is one of the downsides to such an amazing milestones.

Answer 6

I wouldn't let him fall asleep for a few hours just in case he does have some kind of internal injury. But if say for instance later on tonight or tomorrow you notice he is crying a lot give him some Motrin, he may have a headache from the thud.

And don't worry all babies fall, I have a 11 month old curious little girl. Just yesterday she wanted to see the reaction from her brother once she fell on top of him from the couch.

Answer 7

my baby used to do the same thing, but we dont have any carpet, its tile floors. she would hit her head pretty hard and cry too, but she never cried for more than 2 minutes when she hit her head. i think that as long as they dont hit wall or furniture corners they probably wont get a serious injury. and the falling phase doesnt last that long because after a couple falls they learn to catch themselves, they will still fall down, but they wont hit their head. i wouldnt worry too much about it unless you notice any bruising or bumps or he wont stop crying after a fall. if you are really concerned you can get some mats to put on the floor. but if its reassuring i can tell you that my daughter made it through the falling phase without any injuries.

Answer 8

It all sounds normal. Babies do fall a lot when learning to sit, crawl, stand, and walk. Give him lots of time to practice his new skills on relatively soft (but firm) surfaces, like carpeting or rugs or a firm bed. If he does take a fall to the head, call the doctor and describe what happened so she/he can tell you if it's serious and what to look for.

Answer 9

Dont worry my 7 month old daughter is doing the same thing. She has bumped her head a couple times, but she's ok. You cant monitor your lil one all the time. I like to put her in this wonderful walker like seat. My sis works at Babies R Us and she found this thing. It has lights and music, So when I have to do something, I dont want to leave her on the floor, I put her in this thing and She has a great time. All babies crawl and pull themselves around. Unfortunately they get boo-boo's too. That's what us mommies are for...to kiss them boo-boo's and make our babies feel better. Dont worry your baby will be fine, He's just growing up. I wish I knew that name of that seat. If you email me I'll get it for you tomarrow.

Answer 10

mom of 7 says, if the baby cries its normal. Falling and getting a bump hurts and can be scary for a baby. If the baby doesnt stop crying after a few momments then something maybe wrong, I would just call the DR , JIC. But usually if baby stops crying, then no damage has been done, but if you are unsure, why would it hurt to call DR anyway?

Answer 11

You are perfectly normal in worrying...but all babies bunk their heads. Just make sure he is practising his pulling up on carpeted area's and try to keep his toys to a minium so he can't take too many out and leave things for himself to trip up on..

He'll be fine... I suggest making sure all low tables are clear of anything you don't want him to touch.... My oldest started walking at 9 1/2 months...good luck and let the fun times roll!