Despite our best baby proofing efforts, our little ones will likely find ways to get into trouble.
Whether they’re already crawling or making their first attempts at standing, there are plenty of ways for them to get bumps and bruises.
But when you’re a concerned parent, you might be worried about which bumps are more serious. 36% of child deaths are caused by injury in Australia, more than from illness, so it’s a serious concern that should be looked out for.
In this article, we’ll detail the common injuries your baby may experience and what signs indicate a more serious issue.
For more information about paediatric first aid and care, visit our Emergcare site today.
If your baby is experiencing any serious signs of distress, illness, or injury, dial triple 000 now.
Common Baby Bumps
From as early as three months, our babies may start to roll over and grab at items near them.
By six months, they may begin to sit up and even crawl to areas that interest them. While exciting, this may open up entirely new ways for your baby to get hurt.
A Queensland survey estimated that up to 3000 infants a year went to the emergency department for an injury, and that the most common causes of injury were a fall from furniture. Any type of raised surface, from baby bouncers to high chairs and stairs, could also be a fall risk.
Likewise, from 2022 to 2023, it was found that 21.2 of every 100,000 children aged between 0 and 4 were hospitalised for choking or suffocation. Small items and even bedding may cause harm to an infant, so awareness and preventative measures are essential.
It is not uncommon for babies to experience minor bumps, bruises and grazes as they explore their new world. Their movement may be wobbly as they are still learning how to balance, so falling over, bumping their head, and light bruising on their hands and knees is considered unfortunate but occasionally normal.
But, without supervision, they may be at risk of falling further than is safe or trying to eat something hazardous. In these cases, there are signs you can look out for to identify if your baby needs help.
Baby Injury Signs
There are several baby injury signs that may need more serious attention. To identify them, it’s important to note what your baby’s ‘normal’ behaviour may be. Here, we’ll outline what you should look out for:
Constant Crying
While babies are known for the power of their lungs, constant, non-stop crying, especially after several hours, may be a sign of pain and injury. Likewise, a refusal to engage in other activities, such as eating or playing, may also be warning signs.
Lethargy and Confusion
While babies tend to sleep a lot, signs of lethargy and confusion may indicate illness or a potential head injury. If you’re baby is too tired to play or does not react or recognise you, they may need emergency care.
Struggling to Walk or Crawl
If your baby has already learned to crawl or even started walking, but suddenly refuses to do so, they may be injured. Check if they are able to move or check for other signs of pain, such as whimpering and crying.
Wheezing
Wheezing may be a sign of sickness or of a blocked throat, from choking on an item. If your baby continues to struggle with breathing, take them to an emergency room for care.
In Case of a Fall
Regardless of how your baby may look, it is highly recommended that you immediately visit the emergency room if your infant has fallen more than a meter. A fall from such a height could cause fractures and head injuries that need to be treated.
Infant Care Tips
If you want to keep your baby safe, proofing your home and monitoring their explorations are the best ways to do so. But here are a few extra infant care tips:
- Keep your floor clear of toys and items that are the same size or smaller than a twenty-cent piece.
- Avoid placing your infant on a comforter, couch, or adult bedding as these may pose a suffocation risk.
- Keep bouncer chairs flat on the floor, avoid placing them on higher surfaces, or carrying them around.
- Remove tripping hazards such as loose rugs, electrical wires, and toys.
- Keeping an emergency infant and family first aid kit on hand may help you treat injuries as soon as they occur, so that your baby does not have to wait for the hospital.
Paediatric First Aid
Paediatric first aid teaches you the skills to care for your baby in case of an injury. From treating fractures and providing CPR to dealing with bleeding, fevers, and more, a training course may help you feel more confident caring for your little one before visiting the emergency department.
At Emergcare, we provide a wide range of comprehensive infant first aid training to help parents, guardians, and loved ones provide the treatment their baby needs. Through education and guidance, we believe preparation is the best way to keep your family healthy.
If you’re interested in exploring our infant first aid training, simply reach out to our team today.
Put Your Baby’s Health First With Emergcare
Whether you’re worried about a little bump or a more serious concern, knowing what to do may make all the difference.
With Emergcare’s infant first aid training, you may build the knowledge and skills needed to confidently care for your baby.
Explore our courses or reach out to our team to learn more today.
Hendrik Gutwirth
Hendrik Gutwirth is a Co-Director of Emergcare and an Advanced Life Support Paramedic with over 15 years of clinical experience. Passionate about education, Hendrik has contributed to published research in his field, facilitated professional development workshops for his peers, and acted in both Clinical Instructor and Paramedic Educator roles. At Emergcare, Hendrik shares his extensive clinical knowledge and works collaboratively to educate and empower parents and carers across Australia.
