17 Month Old Head Bonks?

She'll have tons more of those over the next year or three. Soon her legs will be black and blue too. It's just the nature of the toddler-young elementary kid. I had a period with all three of my kids where their face had so many marks from falling, tables, etc. There's this one age where they just hit everything because they are just the right height-shorter than tables,,but not tall enough to see them.

My toddler fell and hit her head on hard ground twice today. I was a little worried about the one tumble, but as long as they keep on moving and act normal, all is good.

I knew she broke a bone when she didn't want to put weight on it. It's usually obvious when there is a real injury: they don't seem right.

Very typical. My son went through this a lot. My pediatrician said that babies' skulls are extra thick in the front and the back, for just this reason. She wasn't worried, so I wasn't either. Usually if they fall from their own limited height, it's okay. A car accident, or a fall down the stairs or off a slide, anything high up or at high speed, that's usually worth checking out. If soft tissue were involved (like getting poked in the eye), I'd check that out too. If your coffee table has sharp corners, then I'd get those safety bumpers or padded corners for extra protection.

But if you start going in for every black and blue mark or every goose egg, you'd never do anything else.

Please encourage the walking - he's 17 months old so he's ready. Don't hold him back because you're nervous about injuries. Does he have some sort of walking toys he can use for extra support, balance and confidence? Those, along with riding toys, can build leg strength and appeal to the sense of adventure.

I was told by a doctor that EVERY single head injury on a baby to about 6 should be checked by a doctor, no matter how small you think it is. Brain damage from even small hits can show up years later. Good luck.

oh, S..
it's going to be a rough road for you. i'm not surprised your obliging child is putting off walking. the very idea that she's going to have to deal with her mother freaking out over every bump and bruise has got to be daunting for her.
yes. the bruise will heal just fine if you leave it alone. so will the next one. and the 893 after that.
khairete
S.

with head bonks i watch the child closely. if they are acting fine i leave them alone. if they are cranky lethargic, excessive crying, vomiting loss of consciousness etc i call the dr/er.
if you are super concerned then call the dr and get an appt for peace of mind. (or bring it up at the next well check.)

I always call the doctor, the advice nurses give advice by asking pertinent
questions.
Always watch the child closely right after a fall, too. Looking for vomiting,
lethargy, making sure they don't lose consciusness etc.

we wrapped our coffee table in a blanket..
made it soft and padded.