What To Do If You Drop Your Baby (And When You Should Worry)

When a baby falls or accidentally gets dropped, it can be incredibly scary for parents. Whether your baby rolled off the bed, slipped from the couch, or unexpectedly wriggled out of your arms, your first instinct is usually panic. The good news is that most minor falls do not result in serious injuries.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are one of the leading causes of unintentional injuries in babies and children.¹ Thankfully, babies are often more resilient than parents expect. Still, knowing what symptoms to monitor and when to contact your provider can help you respond more confidently.

Here’s what parents should know if their baby falls or hits their head.

Related: When Do Babies Roll Over? (And How To Encourage It)

What To Do If Your Baby Falls off the Bed

Many parents have had an experience where their baby fell or rolled off a bed, couch, or changing table and hit the floor. The good news is that most of these falls only result in minor injuries, not major ones.^3,5 

So, what should you do first? I know it sounds ridiculous to even say, but you need to take a deep breath and remain calm. If there are no signs of significant injury, pick your baby up and comfort them. You can examine their face and head while holding them.

Remember, your baby is most likely crying because they’re scared (you are too, and they can feel that), not because they’re injured. Most babies who fall from a low height (less than 4 feet) don’t sustain serious injuries. Even so, it’s completely understandable to feel shaken up after something like this happens.

If your baby fell off the bed or couch and hit the floor, but they seem okay, here’s what to do:

1. Check Your Baby for Injuries

Even if your baby cries immediately after the fall, that alone does not necessarily mean there is a serious injury. Look for obvious signs of injury in your baby. For instance, check for bleeding, a bump on the head or “goose egg,” red marks on the face, or bleeding from the mouth. If a baby is old enough to have teeth, they often bite their lip or the inside of their mouth when they fall.^3,5

Related: Benefits of Tummy Time for Newborns and Babies

2. Provide Comfort and Reassurance

Comfort your baby by holding and cuddling them, which makes them feel safe. If they start to calm down after five minutes or less and begin to act like themselves again within 30 minutes, there are most likely no major injuries.^3,5

3. Contact Your Provider

Notify your provider’s office even if you don’t suspect any major injuries. They’ll review what signs to look for in case you forget something and how to treat any bumps or bruises. Most of the time, as they ask you questions about the fall, you’ll realize all the answers are “no” and that your baby is alright.

They’ll also explain what to watch for over the next 12 to 24 hours, such as:^3,4

• Liquid coming from the ears, specifically blood or clear fluid
• Their eyes are making any strange movements (this could indicate seizure activity)
• Baby sleeping more or less than usual
• Balance issues, such as an unsteady gait or crawl that’s different than usual

If your baby is vomiting after each feeding, specifically projectile vomiting (this is vomiting up to 2-3 feet through the air), you need to call their provider immediately.

Related: The Best Ways To Treat a Baby’s Cold

When Is Your Baby Falling off the Bed an Emergency?

There are also times when it’s more of an emergency if your baby is dropped or falls and their head hits the floor. These accidents usually occur from a higher position, such as when you’re holding them in your arms or when they fall out of a swing. Baby walkers can also contribute to falls in which a child’s head hits the floor. Babies have even fallen down the stairs and pulled hot items off the stove and onto themselves with their walkers’ help.¹⁴

Usually, your gut will tell you whether it’s an emergency. But here’s a list of signs and symptoms that indicate an emergency (an immediate call to the doctor, 911, or a visit to the emergency room).^3,6,7,14 Most babies who experience minor falls will not develop serious complications, but it’s still helpful to know what symptoms may require immediate medical attention.

• Baby vomits immediately after the fall and continues to vomit
• Baby has lost consciousness or passed out, even for a second
• Any signs of broken bones
• Swelling or bulging at the soft spot on the top of their head
• Their head seems misshapen, or you see a dent in the skull
• Baby has breathing difficulties
• The pupils (black circles) in the eyes are uneven (one pupil is bigger than the other)
• Signs of seizure activity are present
• Bluish color/bruising around both eyes and behind the ears
• Blood or clear fluid coming out of the ears
• Bleeding that won’t stop after five minutes of pressure
• Baby won’t stop crying and hasn’t calmed down after five minutes

But if you’re unsure, it’s always okay to contact your provider for guidance and reassurance.

Related: Exersaucers: What You Should and Shouldn’t Do

Can a Child Sleep After Hitting Their Head?

Maybe you’ve heard that you shouldn’t let your baby fall asleep if they’ve fallen off the bed or couch, or if they were accidentally dropped and hit their head on the floor. But according to the Cleveland Clinic, it’s okay to let them sleep.³

An overtired baby can show the same signs and symptoms as a baby with a concussion. For instance, they may be more irritated and cranky than usual and be more sleepy and fussy. So, it’s best to let them sleep if they need to.

If baby does fall asleep, try to wake them gently after 2 to 3 hours to be sure they are waking and responding normally. If they don’t wake up, don’t seem to be arousing, or seem super fussy, sleepy, or lethargic, you should notify your provider.³

Related: Baby Fussiness: What’s Normal and What’s Not

How To Help Prevent Baby Falls

Is there a way to prevent a baby from falling or being dropped? All you can do is try your best because those babies are wiggly, wriggly little humans. The first thing to remember is never to leave your baby alone on anything elevated off the floor, such as a couch, bed, or changing table.

Another simple safety tip is to block all stair entries. This prevents accidental falls down the steps where you know they’d hit their head.

Also, always use a stationary activity center for your baby instead of a walker to help prevent falls down the stairs. If you put a baby on a bed for a nap instead of in a crib or bassinet (which is the best time for you to get some rest, by the way), make sure there’s a pillow or barrier of some kind on both sides of them. Sometimes, they roll faster than you can imagine and might plop onto the floor in the blink of an eye.^3,5

Related: Ultimate Baby Proofing Checklist

Tips for Keeping Baby Safe

As busy parents, we sometimes take shortcuts to make our day a little easier. However, some of these shortcuts can lead to a baby falling and hitting their head on the floor. So, here are a few tips to help keep your baby safe, even if they take a second or two longer in your day:

• Strap them in: Always strap your baby into anything with straps, like highchairs, infant carriers, swings, strollers, and shopping carts. Those straps are there for a reason!
• Keep baby off high surfaces: Don’t place car or bouncy seats on elevated surfaces, such as a chair or table. Just put them on the floor for safety.
• Secure all your furniture: Please take the time to secure furniture such as televisions, bookcases, and dressers to the walls using wall mounts, brackets, anchors, or wall straps. This prevents baby from pulling things over and injuring themselves.¹³
• Don’t put them near windows: Be careful not to place a crib near or under a window you’ll open. Your baby could eventually learn to climb and fall out of the window.³
• Watch them in the bathroom: Bathrooms can also be dangerous, so never leave baby unattended here. They could try to climb into the tub and hit their head. The floor might be wet from other children washing their hands or bathing, and your baby could slip and fall.
• Use a nonslip mat: During bathtime, use one to prevent falls. You could be carrying too many things, including your baby, which may lead to misstepping and tripping.¹²

Related: High Chair Safety: 14 Safety Tips Every Parent Should Follow

The Takeaway

There’s no one way or right way to prevent a baby from falling and hitting their head. Even the most attentive parents can have an accident with their baby in the blink of an eye. Unfortunately, it does happen to most parents, and it can be really upsetting — that’s why they’re called “accidents.” Parenting isn’t always easy; neither is protecting your baby 24/7. But, once you’ve armored yourself with the knowledge of what to look for when your baby is dropped, the signs and symptoms of a concussion or a serious head injury, what steps to take, and when to seek medical care, you’ll feel more prepared to respond calmly if an accident does happen.