Oh no, Baby bumped his head!


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Would you know what to do when your little one takes a tumble? Learn from Dr Oh Meng Choo as she answers your questions.

Question: The older generation says rolling a hot, hard-boiled, peeled egg over a bruise helps it to go away faster. Is there any truth to this?
Dr Oh: I would recommend applying a cold compress to stop the swelling from progressing. But if the lump has been there for a few days, there’s no need to rub it.

Question: My baby rolled off the bed and won’t stop crying. He’s not bleeding, so should I send him to a doctor?
Dr Oh: Always comfort the child. Most of the time, besides the pain, it is the shock of the fall that frightened him. If you can see swelling, apply a cold compress to the area. After pacifying him, look for other physical wounds. If there’s any bleeding, apply external pressure to the area and see your doctor. If the injury is serious, there will usually be warning signs. Seek medical help immediately if your kid:

* loses consciousness

* vomits

* has a seizure

* has fluid oozing from his ear or nose

* is very drowsy

* has an unsteady gait

* is suddenly weak on one side of the body

* is confused

Question: Baby had a nasty fall and hit his head. His bleeding won’t stop! What do I do?
Dr Oh: The most important thing is to apply pressure on the open wound with a clean towel. This will usually stop the bleeding. Don’t use substances like sugar or toothpaste; they will cause an infection. Quickly take him to the doctor. Never feed your child, as the doctor may need to perform a procedure that requires sedation. If Junior’s already eaten, it will delay treatment.

Question: The baluku (bump) on his head is still there after a week! Is that normal?
Dr Oh: It can take months before the bump subsides, especially if he has had a bad fall. Initially, it will be soft, as it’s filled with blood. After some time, it will become a hard lump.

Question: Is it a good idea to let Baby sleep immediately after he has bumped his head?
Dr Oh: Excessive drowsiness is a sign that there might be bleeding within the skull. However, it doesn’t mean you must keep your child awake. Most kids will be very sleepy after crying, so it’s all right for them to take a nap. But be very careful if he sleeps past his normal nap time and cannot be roused.

Dr Oh Meng Choo is a paediatrician at Kids Clinic in Bishan, who also practises at Mount Alvernia Hospital.

From Young Parents issue

Oh no, Baby bumped his head!

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