My baby rolled off the couch and now he has a knot on his forehead!! Is he ok or should I take him to the ER?

Question

Please don't tell me I'm a bad mom b/c I already know, (we was sleeping and I was talking to my mom while I was making supper) and he woke up and I didn't know (I had a pillow up beside him, but he must have kicked it off) and he rolled off and hit his head on the coffee table. I'm freaking out!!! He's four months old. He's not bleeding, but he has a little knot and it's a little greenish.. please tell me he's okay!

I did call the Dr., but got the mailbox..I hope they call me back..

Mom of one, I did got on here, after I called, because I know that this is the fastest way to get a response. Look at all I've gotten in just an hour..

He seems to be fine..he's still 'talking' and smiling and doesn't seem to be tired or hurting. He's just in this crib chewing on his keys.. Thanks for all of the advice. That'll be the last time I leave him on the couch (even though it was only for a minute)

Answer 1

I adopted a baby with Shaken Baby Syndrome. Believe me your baby cannot get brain damage from hitting his head on the table. A concussion yes, but not damage. Every mother has thought she was the worst mom when her baby rolled off the couch. They all do it. As for the bump, well some kids can bump their head and nothing happens. My son gets an egg like bump every time he bumps his head. I freaked out the first time, because it can swell huge. But, now I know when he hits his head that I need to watch for signs of vomiting, or not being able to wake him up. You did the right thing, you told your mom, who has to be the best mom in the world and has all the experience, and called your doctor. When he calls you back he will tell you if you should take him in to the ER. Other than that just watch for anything abnormal. If something happens then take him straight to the ER. Oh by the way..... a bad mommy wouldn't worry about her baby. Good luck with your little one.

Answer 2

He is probably fine. My first did the exact same thing at exactly the same age, and I was freaked out too(a pretty normal response I think). Look for the signs of a concussion (unusual behaviour, lethargy, unusually sleepy, vomiting, dizziness, sometimes blood in the eye). You should definitely call the doctor and let them know what happened, but if he isn't exhibiting signs of a concussion they will probably say see you tommorrow. As far as the bump goes, the body's normal reaction to a bump is to rush blood there, and as the skull is right under the skin, there's really no place for it to go like there would be if it was on his arm, so it's all there for you to see in a nice lump(the green coloring is probably bruising, but make sure to mention it to the doc). I would recommend ice on for five, ice off for five, with the ice on for a total of about 20 minutes per hour if you can get him to keep it on that long. I would also say give him some infant Tylenol for the pain (that'll be a fun headache for him), but wait until after you have observed his behaviour for about an hour first. If you think he is exhibiting signs of a concussion then do not give him the medication until after the doc has seen him(they will want to see him tonight if you think that he has a concussion). Fortunately, babies are made to bounce, not break (my docs words not mine). My 4 kids(3 of them boys) have been more than happy to prove that to me on many occasions. Congratulations! You have just suffered your first child induced heart attack and lived to tell about it! Now you can give advice when another first time mom has the same thing happen to her. Isn't experience great? lol Good Luck

Answer 3

It happens to the best of us, but if you want to be a "good mom" don't take chances. Either call your doctor or go to the ER, because although the chances of something really bad having happened are low, he's still so young and you need to make sure. Won't say you're a bad mom, cause we all make mistakes, but don't make a worse one by hoping for it to be nothing, that WOULD make you a bad mom if it turns out he really is hurt more than you think. OH, and don't let this happen again, take this as a learning experience and don't take the chance next time!!

Answer 4

You aren't a bad mom, stuff like this and worse happens to every mom.

The good thing is that babies and kids have hard skulls that are specially made to withstand the normal bumps and bruises of childhood.

In all likelihood, your baby is fine. I freaked out the first time my daughter fell off the bed, she was around 4 months too. I kept her awake for a while just to make sure, and you can apply ice. Monitor baby closely to make sure he's acting normal, and if you're worried call the pediatrician, It's most probably just a skin bruise.

Answer 5

He is probably fine. Just keep an eye on him for the next 2 hours. If he starts acting unusual or lethargic or starts to vomit then call the doctor asap. The green is a bruise that is comming up, just put an ice pack to reduce the swelling.

You're not a bad mom, you made a mistake --one that you have now learned. There will be many an occasion when he will get a hard bump, some will be our fault, most is just part of growing up. Don't be so hard on yourself.

Answer 6

Accidents happen. now I am sure you have learned from this, so no I won't tell you that you are a bad mom. I would watch him closely, if he seems hard to wake up once he is asleep, doesn't eat very much, or just seems really fussy, I mean beyond the normal fuss, than I would have him checked.Try calling his pediatrician that's on call, and see what they recommend. Please don't leave him alone anymore, he is only four months, but they move pretty quick. Good luck! Mom of seven

Answer 7

Oh dear, you're not a bad mother at all! Dont beat yourself up, its the first fal of MANY to come. I have a 5 month old and she rolled off the couch a month ago, I swear! I felt so terrible, I cried with her for ages. It's not your fault, it happens. The warning signs are sleepiness, crankiness, throwing up and if he's not as alert as usual. If he has any of those symtoms then take him to the doctor to be on the safe side. Other than that just keep an eye on him and give him lots of hugs and kisses. And remember, it was probably more traumatic for you than it was for him. Best of luck!

Answer 8

ITS OK!!!!

most babies take a spill at one time or another. you ARE NOT a bad mom at all.
you just know now that he is mobile and you cant leave him on the couch anymore! at least, not until hes older and climbing up on it on his own.

your best bet is to call his pediatrician (there will be one on call this late) and ask to speak to either medical advice or the on call doctor. i wouldnt bother with the ER unless he is acting out of sorts... like he is being unusually sleepy (hard to tell with an infant) or is crying uncontrollably (hard to tell with a colicy baby) just call and ask his doctor if they think you should bring him in.

and remember you arent a bad mom. not at all. it should be perfectly fine and it will most likely happen again at some point (not to jinx you or anything, i just know from my 13 month old!)
that first time it is very scary, though.
my son did the same thing at about the same age.

feel better, k?

Answer 9

Everyone makes mistakes,u r not a bad mom.This accident should be a lesson to learn to be more careful & watch after the baby to make sure things like this do not happen.You can call a doctor to see if you should bring the baby in but if the baby has no symptoms of anything & is acting normal,he should be fine.

Answer 10

As long as the knot is coming OUT and not IN he should be fine. You're not a bad Mom, accidents happen. My three year old daughter fell off a chair today and got a knot on the back of her head. It happens.