When I tell you I have never seen my kids in so much fear 😭😭 here is what was shared with us after this type of accident. Obviously goes without saying please consult your doctor first! Watch Your Child Closely for 2 Hours: • Observe your child closely during the first 2 hours following the injury. • Encourage your child to lie down and rest until all symptoms have cleared. Mild headache, mild dizziness and nausea are common. • Allow your child to sleep if he wants to, but keep him nearby. • After 2 hours, awaken your child. Check that he is alert and knows who you are. Also, check that he can talk and walk normally. Diet - Start with Clear Fluids: • Offer only clear fluids to drink, in case he vomits. • Return to regular diet after 2 hours. • Exception: Babies can continue breast feeding or formula. Pain Medicine: • For pain relief, give acetaminophen every 4 hours Or ibuprofen every 6 hours as needed. (See Dosage Table.) • Exception: Avoid until 2 hours have passed from injury without any vomiting. Also, don't continue pain medicine more than 3 days without seeing your child's PCP. • Caution: Never give aspirin to children and teens. (Reason: always increases risk of bleeding.) Special Precautions For 1 Night: • Mainly, sleep in same room as your child the first night. • Reason: If a complication occurs, you will recognize it because your child will first develop a severe headache, vomiting, confusion or other change in their behavior. Optional: if you are worried, awaken your child once during the night. • Check the ability to walk and talk. (For infants, check the ability to become fully alert and move both arms and legs normally.) • After 24 hours, return to a normal routine. Expected Course: • Most head trauma only causes a scalp injury. • The swelling may take a week to resolve. • The scalp tenderness at the site of impact usually clears in 3 days. Call Back If • Severe headache or crying persists after 20 minutes of ice pack • Vomiting occurs 2 or more times • Your child becomes difficult to awaken or confused • Walking or talking becomes difficult • Headache lasts more than 24 hours • Scalp tenderness lasts more than 3 days • Your child becomes worse Soft Spot - Concerns About: • The soft spot (fontanel) is present from birth until 12 to 18 months of age. It's covered and protected by a thick layer of fibrous tissue. • Injuries near the soft spot do not cause any additional complications. #toddler #accidentprone #toddlerlife #toddlerhood #staircase #19monthsold #3yearsolds #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodunfiltered #fyp #momanddad #parenting #parentingfail #momfail #momguilt