My Newborn Fell Off the Bed—What Should I Do?

There’s nothing quite like the fear and guilt that come after seeing baby fall off the bed. Like many parents, I’ve been there. I was across the room when I spotted my infant daughter joyfully ditching my bed (which I’d placed her in the center of for just a second). Obviously, I ran to her and shouted, “My baby!” like in a scene from a movie, and then proceeded to cry way more than she did. Spoiler: She was totally okay.

The truth is, this is a near-universal parenting nightmare. Throw a rock at a playground, and you’ll hit a parent who’s experienced it too. “When my first daughter fell off the bed in 2018, I almost had a heart attack,” says Alison L., a mom of three in Nashville. “I was a brand-new mom and felt like a complete failure.” Despite the panic parents feel, pediatricians often have a surprisingly calm outlook. Alex L., a mom of one in Princeton, New Jersey, says she watched in horror as her dog leapt onto her bed and catapulted her son off of it. She took him to the hospital, and thankfully, her son was just fine.

Madison Szar, MD, a pediatrician at Bluebird Kids Health in Jacksonville, Florida, confirms that “falls from beds or other furniture are very common in babies under one year, and aren’t often associated with brain injury or long-term complications.” However, she adds that this general reassurance shouldn’t replace vigilance. “Still, it’s important to know which signs warrant concern and when to seek immediate medical attention.” If your newborn fell off the bed (or an older baby took a tumble) and your mid-meltown, take a beat and read up on what to know, including signs of concussion in baby.

Key Takeaways

• If your newborn fell off the bed, it can be frightening—but it’s common. Thankfully, babies are resilient and many falls look worse than they are.
• Seek emergency medical attention if you notice signs of injuries, neurological changes or if the fall was significant.
• Make sure to never leave baby unattended on a bed or couch. Also, it’s a good idea to babyproof your space to prevent injuries.
• When in doubt, reach out to your pediatrician for guidance.

Baby Just Fell—What to Do Right Now

The first moments after baby falls off the bed are sure to be a bit chaotic. Although you’re likely in shock, do your best to center yourself and do the following:

Assess the scene

First, pick up baby and take in all of the important details. “What exactly happened? Was it falling onto carpet, tile or hardwood? At what height was baby before falling? These details and the fall mechanism are important in assessing the risk,” says Alicia Bazzano, MD, PhD, emergency pediatrician, chair of pediatrics and director of pediatric emergency services at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center.

Notice baby’s demeanor

Assess baby’s behavior to determine if anything seems “off” after the fall. “Sure, baby’s likely crying, but are they settling down when held? Is baby moving around, making eye contact? These behaviors tell us far more, far earlier, than any scan,” says Bazzano.

Check for immediate injuries

“Immediately following a fall, check for any visible injuries, including bruising, bleeding, fractures or injuries to baby’s head,” says Szar. Yaron Ivan, MD, a board-certified pediatric emergency medicine specialist at Pediatrix Medical Group in Las Vegas, adds, “Head injuries that are associated with loss of consciousness or vomiting shortly after the fall are oftentimes associated with a significant injury and require medical attention.”

Comfort and console

Hold baby, and help them regulate after their scary experience. Szar recommends applying ice to any minor swollen areas. You can also let baby rest—and don’t stress about keeping them awake: “If your child didn’t lose consciousness, isn’t vomiting and [their] behavior is otherwise normal, there’s no reason to keep them awake,” says Ivan.

Begin 24-hour monitoring

It’s appropriate to monitor baby at home if they’re not showing signs of needing emergency medical attention. “I tell parents to do a 24-hour observation. You don’t need to keep them awake, but you should check in on them every three to four hours to make sure they can be roused and are responding normally,” says Bazzano.

When to Call 911 or Go to the ER

If your newborn fell off the bed, they may require medical attention. Here are some signs you should call 911 or head to the emergency room:

Head injuries

Head injuries are a primary cause for concern after a fall. “Definitely call 911 if you notice significant swelling over the head in a child less than 2 years old or if you believe your child lost consciousness, or starts to vomit,” says Ivan. Szar recommends monitoring for blood or clear fluid coming from the ears or nose, as these symptoms can also point to a serious head injury. However, she notes that not all bumps are a significant problem: “The scalp has a lot of blood vessels, which can lead to the development of a lump or ‘goose egg’ on the scalp. To help reduce swelling, you can apply an ice or cold pack to the area for 20 minutes.”

Injuries to extremities

If there’s a serious injury to their extremities after baby falls off the bed, it’s typically obvious. “Babies and children tend to develop significant swelling when their bones break. If your child has any swollen joints or bones, and especially if those seem tender and they’re reluctant to move them, they likely have a fracture,” says Ivan.

Neurological changes

Szar says to look for “any changes in neurologic status, including weakness, difficulty walking, clumsiness, lack of coordination, lethargy, decreased alertness (like difficulty waking up baby), extreme irritability or seizures.” If you see any of these, seek emergency medical attention right away.

Long-term bleeding

If bleeding persists longer than 10 minutes despite applying pressure, Szar recommends seeking emergency care to assess the injury.

The fall was significant

Szar suggests seeking emergency medical attention if baby fell from a height greater than 3 feet. This is especially true if the impact surface was hard. Seeking emergency care can help rule out serious brain injuries.

Signs of Concussion in Baby

It can be tricky to tell whether baby has a concussion. “Concussion is a broad clinical term,” points out Szar. The American Academy of Neurology defines a concussion as “a clinical syndrome of biomechanically induced alteration of brain function, typically affecting memory and orientation, which may involve loss of consciousness.”

Szar adds that it can be difficult to assess concussion in infants because of their early developmental stage. Still, there are signs to look out for, including “poor sleep, irritability, refusing to feed and abnormal eye movements,” she says. Lethargy is another sign, say experts. If you’re in doubt about whether baby has a concussion, reach out to your pediatrician for guidance.

My Baby Fell Off the Bed But Seems Fine: Now What?

If baby’s demeanor seems normal after the initial shock, keep monitoring for any changes. Parents tend to be a good judge of their babies’ wellness, so this should be fairly straightforward. “If at any point they seem harder to wake, unusually irritable, vomiting more than once or just ‘off,’ call your pediatrician or go to the ER,” says Bazzano. “Trust what you know of your own child. You see their baseline more clearly than anyone else.”

The importance of the 24-hour watch period

Monitoring baby for 24 hours after they fall off the bed can help you assess any changes. “The first day after falls is when symptoms of serious injury are most likely to show up,” says Bazzano. “Signs to watch for include excessive sleepiness, difficulty waking, repeated vomiting or changes in behavior.” Ivan adds more reassurance: “With every minute that goes by, if the child has none of the signs above, the chance of serious injury is less and less.”

Monitoring checklist

If baby fell off the bed, here’s what signs to look for as you monitor them. “Typically, you should expect baby to be fussiest immediately after a fall, then return to normal temperament. If this isn’t the case, this would be concerning,” says Szar. “Monitor feeding, ensuring that there’s no frequent vomiting. Monitor to ensure baby’s alert, waking up for feeds and interacting normally. If there’s a concern with any of these activities, be sure to contact your pediatrician immediately.”

Fall Prevention: How to Childproof the Bed and Couch

It’s common for parents to want to beef up their fall-proofing efforts after a scary tumble. But remember: Accidents happen, and the fall doesn’t make you a bad parent—just a human one! A good rule of thumb is never to leave baby unattended on a bed, couch, changing table or elevated surface and to follow safe sleep practices. “Falling asleep while holding baby can lead to unintentional falls,” says Szar.

Of course, you should also babyproof your home environment and practices to prevent future falls—especially as baby becomes more mobile. “Babies roll earlier than you expect, and they roll fast,” points out Bazzano.

To Sum It Up

It can be really scary if your newborn or baby falls off the bed. But rest assured that these types of falls are common—and you’re not a failure. After the incident, monitor for symptoms, and trust your observational skills. Chances are, baby will be okay. “When in doubt, always reach out to your pediatrician after a fall to make sure baby’s safe,” says Szar. “Remember, accidents happen—feeling guilty or embarrassed is natural, but it should never stop you from getting your child the care they need. Pediatricians are here to support baby’s health without judgment.”

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.