An injury to your toddler’s head can be frightening, especially if there is a sign of trauma or your toddler is in pain. Because your toddler is learning to walk, run and climb, some bumps and falls are to be expected. But serious head injuries can be avoided by making your home safe and monitoring your toddler’s activities.
Dangers
A toddler’s head injury can also become serious. The Kids Health website says that a concussion, the temporary loss of brain function, can happen with any type of head injury. An undiagnosed concussion carries the risk of brain damage, so it is important to protect your toddler’s head and watch for symptoms of a serious injury. Concussion symptoms include headache, fatigue, mood swings, sensitivity to sound and light and a loss of interest in playing. A child with symptoms of a concussion should be taken to the emergency room.
Helmets
Consumer Reports says that although a helmet reduces the risk of serious brain injuries by 85 percent, the majority of children do not wear them. A toddler riding with a parent on a bicycle should wear a helmet. She should also wear a helmet if she is playing on a tricycle, even if the tricycle is stable and low to the ground. When choosing a helmet for your toddler, do not rely on labels. Try it on her head to be sure it fits properly.
Head Banging
Head banging is a type of behavior that is fairly prominent in toddlers. The Baby Center website says that your toddler may do it to fall asleep or as a way to distract herself from pain. To protect her head, try moving her bed away from the wall so she cannot bang her head. You can also start a soothing bedtime routine to help her sleep, such as having a bath and reading a story. If you are unsure what is causing your toddler to bang her head, talk to her doctor so you can learn ways to prevent it. Most toddlers outgrow this behavior by age 3 or 4, according to Baby Center.
Childproofing
Childproofing your home can help protect your toddler’s head from preventable injuries. Many toddlers enjoy climbing, so secure furniture such as bureaus and dressers to the walls to prevent your toddler from climbing up an unstable object. Kids Health also recommends that you lock windows to keep her from falling out. She could slip on a loose rug, causing her to fall and hurt her head, so use nonslip pads under the rugs in your home. You should also place padding on sharp corners of the furniture in your home, because one fall can cause trauma to her head. Some parents simply remove those pieces of furniture. Coffee tables can be especially hazardous.
Other Safety Precautions
In addition to childproofing your home, Kids Health recommends that you do not leave a toddler unattended. She should especially stay supervised while outdoors or near stairs. Talk to other family members or caregivers about ways to keep your toddler’s head safe from injury, and be alert to any cuts, bruising or changes in his behavior.
