Baby Fell Off the Bed: When To Worry

You know that baby-proofing is important. You keep the crib empty — no pillows, blankets or crib bumpers. You said "Thanks but, no thanks," when your in-laws offered you that old crib with the drop-down sides. You put your baby to sleep in a sleep sack on their back. You got this whole safe-sleep thing figured out.

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But even with all of your best intentions, it still happens. Babies can get hurt.

Take these common scenarios: You put your baby down on your bed. You turn your back just for ONE SECOND. And, ugh … nightmare — your baby fell off the bed and hit their head. Or you put them on the changing table, simply reached for a diaper and … they rolled off.

It happens.

"It's very common that babies fall from high surfaces, like beds, couches and changing tables," says pediatrician Laura O’Connor, MD. "Even babies who don't know how to purposefully roll yet can spontaneously, reflexively, roll over when you least expect it."

In a gut-wrenching moment of panic, your first thought may be to immediately scoop your baby off the floor and rush them to the emergency room.

But first. Take a deep breath. Babies are more resilient than you think, and they may just need a little time and observation before you make a rush to the pediatrician.

Sometimes, babies need emergency medical attention after falling, and sometimes, they’re just fine. Of course, you want to be sure your baby gets the medical attention they need, but you also don't want to put them (and you!) through unnecessary stress from an ER visit if you don't need to.

Dr. O’Connor helps explain what to look for after your baby falls and hits their head so you can make a decision about what comes next.

Elevated surfaces and babies make for a bad combination. Babies fall off beds, changing tables and couches more often than you might think.

Falls are one of the leading causes of nonfatal injuries in kids, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Even very young babies can fall. No worse time to hit that "rolling over" milestone than when perched on a high bed.

Most of the time, babies aren't severely injured after falling off a bed, but it can happen.

"The good news is that babies’ skulls are very resilient," Dr. O’Connor says. "They have an open fontanel (soft spot) that allows for a lot of movement. It's pretty rare to have any significant injury from a baby falling off a bed, but you don't want to brush off signs of something serious."

It can be hard to tell whether your baby has sustained an injury or is in pain when they can't talk. But there are a few key signs to look for. Some are red flags to get emergency attention. Others warrant a call to the doctor but not necessarily in a rush. And sometimes, you can just move on with your life with a slightly more watchful eye.

Dr. O’Connor explains the difference.

Before picking up your baby after a fall, check for obvious signs of trauma. Dr. O’Connor says these signs warrant an immediate call to 911 for emergency help:

If your baby is showing signs of a major injury, as hard as it may be, you want to avoid the urge to upright them and comfort them.

"With head traumas, it's possible that they’ve also injured their neck or spine, and you don't want to possibly worsen the injury by moving them," Dr. O’Connor states.

If your baby is having a seizure after a fall, gently roll them to their side before calling your local emergency number or 911.

A baby who is alert and crying after a tumble is a normal reaction. Falling is scary, even if they’re not injured. If you don't see any signs of a traumatic injury, gently pick them up and console them.

"If they don't improve with a few minutes of comfort from you, I would suggest getting quick medical attention," Dr. O’Connor says.

Symptoms of an injury might not be obvious right away, so even if you don't think emergency medical care is needed, keep an extra-close eye on your baby's behavior over the next day. What you’re looking for is anything that's out of the ordinary for your child. That might include things like:

You’ve probably heard that if you suspect a concussion, you should keep your baby awake. But that's not necessary. An overtired baby is going to act more sleepy, fussy and irritated than usual. Keeping your baby awake for a long time could cause them to seem as if something is wrong when really they’re just sleepy, Dr. O’Connor notes.

But while they’re sleeping, you may try gently waking them after a few hours to make sure they’re able to be roused. If your baby isn't responding to you when you try to wake them or if they seem lethargic or extra fussy or sleepy, it's worth a call to your healthcare provider.

In general, Dr. O’Connor says that any behavior out of the ordinary should be checked out by a provider just to be safe. If you have reason to suspect that your baby is injured, trust your instincts. You know your baby and what's normal for them better than anyone.

"If parents have any concerns at all, it's never wrong to have them evaluated by a doctor to be on the safer side, especially at a young age," Dr. O’Connor reassures. "Even if it turns out to be fine, it can be good for parents’ peace of mind if nothing else."

You can't talk about falls without talking about preventing them in the first place. (Not trying to harp on you here. Accidents happen, and we know you’re doing your best!)

For good measure, Dr. O’Connor reminds us that babies shouldn't be left on adult beds or on other elevated surfaces unattended — even if you think they aren't rolling yet.

The CDC also recommends this advice to keep your child safe from falls:

Accidents happen. Even with all of your best parental attention, they just do. Don't be too hard on yourself. Keep an eye on your baby after taking a fall, and see their healthcare provider if you’re worried about an injury.