I wish I could say that this post is NOT in any way linked to a real-life event. But it is. Okay, I’m a bad bad mummy. How could I have let that happen?
Anyway, from that horrid experience that never-should-have-happened, I’ve picked out 10 things to share here, although I really hope from the bottom of my heart you would never get to use them.
Sigh.
Here goes.
1. Don’t panic. Pick the baby up from the floor and calm him down (assuming he’s wailing his head off).
2. Resist the temptation to knock your own head on the floor just to find out how painful it is. Resist.
3. While you’re at it, resist crying or banging your head against the wall too. General rule: If it doesn’t help you, it will not help the baby.
4. Look for bruises or other signs of injury; make a note of the colour and size of the swelling.
5. Use a cold compress if the swell looks nasty.
(Note: only do this when baby is calm; NOT when he’s still wailing his head off. If he protests and wriggles when you use a cold compress, it’s actually a good sign.)
6. Call for help if you’re unsure of what to do, and preferably from a family member who’s usually calm and cool-headed. Husbands / dads are unusually good at this.
7. Call a doctor if your baby is very young/vomits/exhibits obvious changes in behaviour. (E.g., if he used to be able to sit by himself, and now he can’t.) If he seems okay, just keep monitoring over the next 48 hours. If you notice anything unusual during this time, call the doctor to make sure. Use your mummy instinct.
8. Don’t leave your baby on the bed anymore. Especially if there’s no one around. Especially if he’s a very active baby. And especially, particularly if he’s a boy.
9. If you absolutely have to, use barricades. AND a baby monitor so you know when he’s awake and are near enough to make sure he doesn’t do anything funny.
10. Pray. (This should actually be No. 1.)
~~~
In case you’re wondering (or worried), baby Javier is fine. He had a red patch (not raised) on his forehead immediately after the fall. And I used a cold compress on it (for 5 whole seconds, as I endured his wriggling and cries of protest) and the next day, there was barely any sign of a bruise. Amazed? I am too. And I can only thank God for that! 
BTW, here’s a weird tip that the doctor gave. Apparently, if you have to leave the baby on a surface, make sure the height of the surface is not taller than the baby. Hmm, how does that help? I’m still trying to figure out. Let me know if you have any ideas on that.
Here’s a Babycenter article on falls that I found helpful.
Linking up with Monday Listicles at The Good Life!
June, my little guy was rolling from one end of a room to the other by three months, so I never left him anywhere… plus I was paranoid. BUT… he did fall down an entire flight of stairs once. So scary… so I know how you must have felt! Good idea, giving people these tips!
Thanks Sue. It makes me wonder…is this only applicable to boys or what? Hmm..
Well, they do SEEM to be more active and to get into more trouble, don’t they?
I have this weird concept that ‘Every baby must have their first fall’, so please feel too bad about it! For both my kids, after their first fall happened, I tell myself ‘Great, it’s happened! Now everything’s gonna be great from now onwards!’ Very ah-Q, but no choice right? =P
*gasp* I mean please DON’T feel too bad about it! =P
Hahaha, you’re Q-ute. =P So, good for us then, we’ve passed that first hurdle. Hurhur
hahahah would be really funny if you did mean “please feel TOO bad about it” :p
I am sorry you have fodder for this list but it will help others. My boy felt while climbing out of his bed when he was about 1. Never heard a louder thump in my life. He was fine, I needed a drink…
Yeah, I heard a thump too. Not sure if it was my heart…
It seems like every baby will surely have 1 ‘fell off the bed’ rite of passage! My son had his first fall when he was 3 months old. Was really loud as we heard the thump from the living room with the televison on too! Was really afraid cause he was wailing and wailing. Thankfully there was no bumps or anything serious. After that he had a few more incidents, heh but always nothing serious. Like what you’ve mentioned, keep a lookout for bumps or swelling and if there’s no unusual behaviour, it should be fine!
Rites of passage! Golly…I had no idea that baby falls were so common. Maybe that’s how the song ‘Rock-a-bye baby’ came about.
juney! sorry but tip number 2 and 3 are sooooo funny!!!
))
Hahaha thanks dear
I have tried the “hitting the floor” just so I know how pain it is. :p
On the height-tip, that’s probably because the distance from the surface to floor is proportionate to the length/height of the baby and hopefully (??) the legs can touch the floor first, softening the impact as opposed to a free-fall? I’m also guessing.
BTW, one more tip to add, is DO NOT let the baby go to sleep straight after. monitor for 1-2h.
And another, also try NOT to repeat the story when they grow older because then they will ask you non-stop why they fell off the bed and “why mummy never protect me?”
Ouch*
Yea, that crossed my mind too…better chance that a leg or arm could hit the floor first…guess that makes sense huh.
I have also come across the tip about not sleeping after. But just find it sooo hard to do, I mean wouldn’t the baby just want to sleep after the ordeal? But I appreciate the logic behind it though, the fear of a head injury leading to coma. *shudder*
And…does this mean I have to delete this post?
yups so you can properly monitor for vomiting or after-effects after the fall. if baby sleeps, then u can’t really monitor for the signs.
no need to delete cuz by the time they can read, they probably can understand :p (password protect maybe haha)
Good to know Javier’s ok..
Incidentally (& quite unfortunately), my boy fell off my bed this morning too.. Scary as my bed is abt a metre off the floor.. Thank God all he has to show for it is a bump on the forehead and is still his usual happy & greedy self..
Thank God he’s ok. It’s a big relief when we see they are well and acting their usual! Yup, I too think mattresses are the way to go…at this stage. The fall is a good wake-up call for us eh?
Happened to me countless of times! I can only thank God for His amazing grace that she got away without even a bruise on her head.. Just pain and shock which she reacted by wailing the house down. Thankfully no other side effects too after close monitoring. God protected her from her newbie mummy! Haha
Hee, we can really see His protection and grace through such events…and it also teaches us to take more care yeah? You are an experienced mummy now!
Haha! I had to laugh at #2. I think I did that when my boy rolled off the bed at 4 months while I was getting his bath ready. My girl fell off the bed when she was about 6 months. She fell back first as she was sitting up. Now, what does that say about me – BAD BAD mommy! I panicked with both AND prayed like I never prayed before!
You know what? Knowing that we’ve all been through this gives me an amazing sense of comfort, albeit in a warped kinda way since it’s not something to be proud of. I initially struggled with posting this, but am glad I did!
I am always worried about this! I know it’s going to happen though…taking notes!
Hi Natalie, thanks for your comment. I truly hope you will never get to use the notes.
If this makes you feel better, I’ve to tell you that all my 3 kids fell off the bed before. Boys do seem to be more active. But then, my youngest, now 11-month-old baby girl has fallen off the bed 3 times. So what does that mean? Either this is really common, or I’m a really terrible mother!
As for not placing baby on a bed taller than them, I’ve heard this rule before. I think if they fall off from a height shorter than them, it’s not that serious. That’s what I heard.
Omg…I’m so relieved that I’m not the only one this has happened to. Although, I don’t like the circumstances of it. My 15 month old fell off my bed while I was looking in the mirror and had my hand on her leg…it happened so fast! She screamed for a few minutes then was trying to fall asleep (I wasn’t letting her,,and honestly I was freaking out.) then she was fine, no bumps, bruises or bleeding. She’s never getting on my bed again!
It’s a scary experience, isn’t it? I’m so glad she’s okay!
O my.. my babygirl just fell off bed today! I cried more than she did! I will monitor her for the next couple of day…she seems fine. No bruises or bumps! But I am sooo sad and my hubby words keep repeating in my head, “Don’t turn your back on her now that she is rolling!”
Hi Rosa, I’m glad to hear your baby girl is fine now. It’s been months down the road, and I still can’t quite forget that fateful evening…I never let him sleep on the bed by himself after that!
OMG, I should be rewarded the most horrible irresponsible mother of the year. Our only baby daughter fell off our ensemble bed after a nappy change when I turned around to throw the nappy into the nappy bin. To my horrid, my poor baby lying on the carpet crying hysterically. Knowing then i knew she hit her head a metal front of the dial heater. I didnt know what to do at first except to try to console her sorrow cry. She settled down after 10mins with a cold compression pack. I then rang the parental helpline (adelaide) & they suggested to monitor her for the next 2 days or for my peace of mind to take her to see the local dr. I tried not to let my baby sleep after a fall, which was really hard because she was due for a sleep. I took for to the went after hours doctor & reassured me that all children falls at some point. Some would fall more than others. But no words can soothe my neglected behaviour I just made a few hours ago. Dr have told me to monitor our baby for sign of drowsiness, vommiting etc. writing this just made me feel more angrier than normal but writing this to let others know being a mum/parental is not easy as all. I try to do my best being a first time mother but this experience has cost me a heartache the pain she endured that moment of the fall. I wish I could turn back the time!! I just pray to god-please let our baby be ok & healthy. Cursed me for what I’d done!
Thank goodness that all the babies are doing well! A great blessing from the angels!
I come across this blog while googling “baby falls off from bed”. Yes, my 5 months old baby fell off from my 0.6m high bed. It’s certainly a negligence from me… I’m a terrible mum as I’ve never expect my baby could do a 3-4 flips since he is put on one end of my bed.
My heart shattered… I’ve myself to blame…. I’m to be cursed for it!! It’s been 24hrs since the fall and I’m still monitoring for any unusual behaviors, no bumps no sore no bruise though. I prayed for his wellness…. With exchange of mine.
And yes… Mine’s a baby BOY!
Hi Wendy, thanks for sharing. I know you must feel terrible, but I’m glad to hear that there hasn’t been any unusual behaviour and not even a bump or a bruise. Take care!
My 8 month old baby fell off from our bed a few hours ago. I just feel so bad I cried more than he did, and even cries until now when ever that thought comes to my mind. Our bed is pretty high, that me myself has to use a stool when I was pregnant to climb on it. I know I should never have leave him there sleeping, or at least make sure that I surround him with big pillows that he couldn’t have climb over to. And what makes me more guilty is that I let my husband put him to bed. I should have done it myself so that I can be sure that he is safe before I left him there. I am so grateful to God that He kept my baby safe. He just cries for a while, then he’s back to his normal self. No bruise, no bumps, I praise the Lord for that! It just break heart knowing he experienced pain and shock when he fell. And I am so disappointed to myself to let him first experienced that before I ever learn!
Hi Anne,
I know its such a terrible feeling to see your baby fall. My baby girl too fell yesterday and my wife had a tough time consoling her…i am afraid my daughter has some internal injury as she was not able to move to her left or right. Massaged her body and now she is able to move little bit.
My wife and I are really cursing ourselves for letting this happen though not intentional. Pray to God that she would be fine as soon as possible without any serious injury.
Thank God that your son is safe n sound. Praise the Lord for keeping him safe…
Off all the post, I guess I am the only Father or husband put up the comments amongst so many Mothers.
How is your little girl now?
Hi,
My 11 months old daughter too fell of from the bed yesterday. Her mom was busy arranging the wardrobe and the next thing she hears is a loud thud!!!!!
She was crying very badly and hardly slept the whole night. Though she slept, she would get up every 30 minutes and cry. I noticed something she was unable to life both her arms. Is this something I should be worried about? Should I take her to the doctor for a check up?
Please help me….my wife and I am very scared after the fall she had.
Hi Jeet, so sorry to hear that. If it still bothers you and if she still seems to be in pain, perhaps it will be better to get her checked, just in case and also to put you and your wife at ease. Praying that your little girl will be well again very soon.
How is baby girl now after the fall???
Hi…
I felt less worried with the tips you shared. My baby just turned 2 weeks old, and while I lay her on my chest for burping, I felt asleep and then suddenly I heard a LOUD sound, and I cried when I saw my baby on the wooden floor. I picked her up and I was crying so bad. I can’t imagine her falling off from the bed. We went to the hospital immediately, and we were given instructions: monitor the baby for 2-3 days for signs of vomiting, irritation, and sleepiness.
Until now, I keep on thinking about the incident, I am a very irresponsible mother. All I could do is pray that my baby will be okay. I kept on monitoring her for those sign… T_T
Hi Geraldine, so sorry to hear that this happened around the turn of a new year. I wouldn’t be too hard on myself though I can absolutely relate to the guilt. Do take care, and I’m praying for your little one too. Godspeed.
Omg …… My 11 month old son jus fell off the bed an hour ago we were both sleeping and I guess he was sleep crawling . I herd a big thump and wen I turn on the light and saw my baby on the floor I wanted to cry with him . He seems to be fine a lil bump . I tried to keep him up but he jus wouldn’t stay awake since he fell while he was sleeping…… Can’t believe he was right next to me and I let my baby fall.he didn’t cry very long he jus wantd to go back to sleep . I know I’m not suppose to let him …… Soooo it’s an all nighter for me cause I most deffently can’t go to sleep after that . I’m up monitoring him til he gets up. He seems to be fine but I’m a first time mom…… My baby I can’t take it, I m more hurt then him for sure!I’m jus praying he’s ok.I really needed to vent!!!
I know what you mean when you say you’re more hurt than him! Take care, Esha…I’m pretty sure he’ll be fine!
I (loving Daddy) christened the baby with a small drop while exiting the car whilst in baby seat (belt untied – story in itself). Handle swung to incorrect angle and baby dropped out without me even noticing before hearing wifes screams.
Last night the wife let baby fall from the bed with no obvious damage.
In a sick way, feel we are even now. Especially after the constant nagging of ‘watch the babies head’.
my baby fell today for the first time he will be 6 months in 2 days i was so scared and cried i feel like a horrible mom but its nice reading that im not the only one that this has happened to thank God that hes fine he only cried for less then a minute so im guessing hes fine because hes laughing and playing and i checked him and hes head and body look fine reading what you wrote made me laugh and made me feel better
So glad he’s laughing and playing and looking well!
umm, so my baby fell off the bed a couple of nights ago. i had him sleeping and then we just heard a big bang. next thing you know my baby starts crying and i freak out. i found him laying on his right side. his little head had a swollen bump. im a first time mom so any little things scares me to death and my little boy has jus completed 7 mnths. so, the following day we noticed he started stretching his little arms as in asking to hold him and started kind off air head-banging. im worried that it may be a result off that night or if its just a new one of those habits? help!
My 3 month old baby boy fell today :’( i know it happens to everyone but i still feel so bad . Everything happened so fast tho both him & i were on my bed its about 1 foot 1/2 off the floor so i placed on the pillow & i was sitting by his feet both watching tv i turned to look at him n turned dwn cause i got a itch on my leg next thing i knew i see his little body fall :’( it was horrible i dont even remember how he fell or if he hit his head hard i got really scared pucked him up n held him close & tight for comfort just kept saying sorry to him i cried he cried for about a minute n i started to pray immediatly he felt better stop crying n just stared into my watery eyes ♥ i checked his body n head fine laid him on his bed n he started moving his legs n arms like crazy smiling and laughing reassuring me hes fine i thank God for not letting anything bad happen
Hi Jackie, I’m so glad to hear that he’s fine. Things can happen so fast, isn’t it? Motherhood is such a 24/7 responsibility…Take care!
my baby fell down by babnging head many times..but nothin hapnd..thank God..but recently fall down frm sofa by banging head..he cried… nd he bcm quit..no swell was there…aftr few minutes..i gav fud..den he vomits once…aftr that he was okkk…is der anything to worry since he vomits once???
Hi Jaana, I hope your baby’s alright now, and that he showed no further signs of distress. If there are more signs that you’re concerned over, I think it’s best to consult a doctor.