Emergency Techniques for Your Baby

Handling Bumps and Bruises

If your baby rolls off the couch or bed, chances are he'll be okay. If he suffers a bump, you can put ice cubes in a baggie, wrap it in a clean towel, and press it to the bump to keep the swelling down. But you should call the doctor in the following circumstances:

• There's any sign that your baby may be drifting in and out of consciousness -- he seems dazed, confused, or was knocked unconscious temporarily
• It was a dramatic fall down concrete steps or from the top of a large piece of furniture
• Your child isn't acting right -- he's persistently irritable after the initial crying stops, keeps vomiting, or is unusually lethargic
• He can't seem to move a part of his body

If the bump wasn't serious, your child may cry for a while and then go back to eating and playing as usual.

All content here, including advice from doctors and other health professionals, should be considered as opinion only. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.