Infants are at risk for falls from the bed. Remember that stepping away from the infant even for a moment puts him/her at risk for falls.
It is important to note that falls from an adult bed will not only harm the child from the impact on the floor. The infant might even land on other items such as plastic bags, clothing or soft bedding. Even though prevention is the ideal way to avoid this, accidents can occur.
If an infant falls out of the bed, there are several measures that must be done to ensure that he/she is given urgent and proper care.
What must I do first?
It is likely for the fall to cause loss of consciousness. The child might appear limp or sleeping, but usually regain consciousness quickly. Remember that this is a medical emergency. In case the child is suspected with a serious head injury with signs such as bleeding or unconsciousness, call for emergency assistance right away.
Avoid moving the child unless at risk for further injury. In case the child is vomiting or seems to be experiencing a seizure, turn him/her to the side but keep the neck in a straight alignment. If bleeding is present, place gentle pressure with a clean gauze until the emergency team arrives.
In case the infant does not appear significantly injured, carefully pick him/her up and provide comfort. While comforting the child, check the head for evident signs of injury. Call a doctor if the baby is below 1 year old.
Injury prevention
Always bear in mind that infants should not be placed on an adult bed without supervision. Aside from the risk for falls, the child might be stuck amid the bed and wall or bed and with another furniture or object.
You can prevent falls by keeping at least one hand on the child on any surface such as an adult bed or changing table.
Disclaimer / More Information
The information posted on this page on falls is for learning and educational purposes only. To learn to manage falls especially among infants, register for first aid training at one of our training centers located throughout Canada. The training centers are in Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Kelowna, Saskatoon, Victoria, Surrey, Mississauga, Winnipeg, Red Deer, Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax.