i fell down stairs on it. A few examples include: There are dozens of medical alert systems, so choose a system that fits your needs and budget, and has a device that you will wear all the time. The consequences can last for a lifetime and affect the whole family. The mechanism and pain pattern suggest pelvic girdle injury. Usual symptoms to be aware of that need immediate medical attention are change in behavior, vomiting, not stopping crying All rights reserved. Persistent ringing in the ears or loss of hearing. comments sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A Add a Comment Motor . Nauseous or vomits more than two or three times. Updated January 10, 2019. If youre pretty sure your childs injuries are serious and need specialized care, head to a pediatric trauma center. How can I tell if a head injury is mild or severe? We use cookies to make wikiHow great. If your child is exhibiting any of these symptoms, or has any significant swelling over the site of the injury, you should take them to the doctor right away. Place a cold compress or ice pack on any bumps or bruises. Use icepacks over any swollen or painful area. Most falls are harmless. Anchor bookcases, chests of drawers, and TV stands to the wall. The first thing to do when your child falls is to relax. Should I go to the doctor after falling down stairs? Keep your babys crib sides up and secure. HealthTap uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes. If you're not sure, phone 111. ask your smart speaker, if you have one, to call someone who can help you. Stay calm and don't panic. Once your baby is crawling or walking, you need to watch them at all times. What Should I Do If My Baby's Umbilical Cord is Bleeding? (2017). For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). Medical alert systems cost about $30 a month. I've seen teeth become non-vital ten years after being traumatized. Seek medical help immediately, if someone is experiencing a severe headache, nausea and vomiting, or confusion. We avoid using tertiary references. This process is best guided by your childs physician. Typically, urgent care preferably an orthopedic urgent care can be an option if the injury is not an open fracture (the broken bone did not puncture the skin) and is in one of the following areas: A trip to an emergency room or pediatric trauma center is likely needed if: Kids fall often and youre always there to pick them back up. Recovery time can vary greatly from one person to the next. Many falls occur when people assume they've reached the bottom of the stairs, and take a step out into air. My 2 year old fell down a flight of stairs. he has a bump on forehead and nose bleed. Most of these accidents can be easily prevented by following a few simple safety tips. You will sleep better knowing that your home is prepared for any potential mishaps and that you know exactly what to do should anything like this happen again. How to Know if You've Fractured Your Pelvis, How to Talk to Aging Parents About Medical Alert Systems. You can give children acetaminophen for pain, but check with your child's doctor before giving any other medication. Place a cold compress or ice pack on any bumps or bruises. They are there to help you, reassure you, and let you know what steps you should take to keep your baby safe now and in the future. You may push it further in if you try to remove it. Let your child rest, as needed, for the next few hours. Check the patients breathing, pulse, and blood pressure. Even if the injury is mild, it is still a good idea to watch for any developing symptoms. Which is pretty amazing considering 75 percent suffered injuries to their head and neck. An injury needs healing, take it easy during your recovery. trademark of Sutter Health , Reg. Look for any obvious signs of injury. About 8,000 children are treated for falls every day in emergency rooms. If a child is alert and crying after a fall, know that this is a normal reaction. How do I know if my toddler is OK after a fall? The epidemiology of fractures caused by falls down stairs. Stairway-related injuries in children . Finding Quality Child Care Kids can fall for a variety of reasons. Then: my one-year-old fell down the stairs. It can be hard to tell whether infants have sustained an injury or are in pain, but there are a few key signs to look for.Those signs include: However, it will appear to be normal peaceful sleep and they wake up fully, like after a nap. This can lead to severe pain, numbness, and muscle weakness, not just localized at the point of trauma but radiating to the arms and legs as well. to check neuro functions. Infants and toddlers are prone to rolling off beds or couches, falling out of high chairs, strollers, car seats or swings, and getting bumps and bruises from all kinds of things. Prevent Slips at Home. And older kids can play a little too hard and take a spill. But if they seem unusually sleepy, or they seem dazed when they wake, they should be seen by a doctor straight away. You can let your child go to sleep if it's naptime or bedtime, but check on them every two to three hours to make sure everything is OK. Its exciting watching your child learn to walk but like any skill it requires practice. Most falls seem worse than they really are, and usually do not require a call to your doctor or a trip to the ER. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The good news is that in most cases, babies are just fine. (Not a bad treatment for adult head bumps, either.) Fortunately, most baby head bumps are mild. The first thing you can do is pick your baby up and console them. Although most falls are minor and usually dont require hospitalization, its always necessary to contact your doctor when your infant falls. Hairline fractures of the pelvis have different symptoms from severe fractures. A fall down the stairs can be frightening and painful. Stair lighting can be placed on the wall, about 5-6 inches above stairs. Updated May 2012. This allows your knees more leeway, and aids in walking up and down stairs more safely. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. You can give children acetaminophen for pain, but check with your child's doctor before giving any other medication. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Unless there is a large cut that needs stitches, you probably dont need emergency attention or a call to your doctor. Console your child. If your child has a very minor cut on the face or scalp, gently clean it with mild soap and warm water and put a bandage on it (ask the doctor if you should apply an antiseptic first). Sarah Rahal, MD is a double board-certified adult and pediatric neurologist and headache medicine specialist. Children who fall down the stairs, in or out of a walker, are victims of the same hazard, unprotected stairs. This is because there are a lot of blood vessels close to the skins surface. Sometimes an object will fall off of a table or furniture onto baby. Even though you may feel guilty or embarrassed that your baby fell, you should never let that stop you from contacting your doctor after a fall. Remember that almost all parents have been there at one time or another. Call 911 or emergency medical help or have someone drive you to the emergency room if your back pain: Occurs after a high-impact car crash, bad fall or sports injury. Helfer (1977), Nimityungskul (1987 . A physician should only order a CT scan if they feel it's necessary to rule out a brain bleed or serious skull fracture. could this be cause of leg weak, feet inflammed and red after walking?? has any of these symptoms: wont stop crying. I slipped and fell down stairs backward. Step 2: Move to a bigger staircase, maybe 2-3 steps. All rights reserved. Cleveland Clinic. Place a cold compress or ice pack on any bumps or bruises. In the majority of cases, if your baby falls, but cries right away, isnt bleeding, isnt showing obvious signs of injury, and is consoled once you pick them up, you are not dealing with an emergency situation. Symptoms of a concussion may include headaches, ringing in the ears, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, drowsiness, blurry vision, or confusion. By Wendy Wisner Most falls are harmless; however, some can result in serious injury, including broken bones, wounds, or even head/brain injury. What To Do If Your Child Falls Console your child. The study above also found that in addition to foot and ankle fractures, stair falls also pose substantial risk of fractures to your shoulder or scapula. Is it normal for nipples to crack during pregnancy? The most common causes of newborn baby falls are: In older babies, the most common reasons for a fall are: According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries in children under 19 years old. The impact from a fall can cause a range of injuries to those body parts, from muscle strains to ligament tears to fractures. If you think that your child is bothered by the bump, you can give them the appropriate dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. The Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center provides the following clinical update of literature, organized by types of falls and by mechanism of fall, specifically falls from beds, falls down stairs, falls in walkers, falls from heights and fatal falls. In this situation, the most important thing you can do is carefully observe your child, and should you have concerns, dont hesitate to follow your instincts and call your doctor. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Fall prevention. The reason why is that babies skulls and bones are more fragile than older children, and babies are more prone to injury from falls. Some of the most common causes of these injuries include kids falling off playground equipment or trampolines, falling down stairs, or falling off a bed or another piece of furniture. They may need medical attention at some point, however. They have to be at least grade 3 or 4. . Occurs with a fever. Consider the following tips: If you or a loved one lives alone, and you are concerned about falls, there are a few home alert devices that can help. Blurry vision, double vision or pupils of unequal size. Read our, Caring for the Soft Spots on Your Baby's Head. This rarely results in any significant injury. Never leave your baby unattended on a bed or changing table. Your body is designed to protect your developing baby during pregnancy. 1995-2023. It is necessary to prepare in advance for the appearance of crumbs. Difficulty with thinking skills, such as memory and attention. Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain if your child is alert. If you find yourself around stairs without adequate lighting, use a flashlight. The plaintiff, the person bringing the lawsuit, then submits the complaint and summons to the applicable court. Learn how we can help 4.7k views Answered >2 years ago Thank 1 thank Someone with the alert company will respond and contact someone for you or call 911 on your behalf. We recommend taking the following steps to take stock of the situation: When a child falls, head, neck, back or spine injuries, and broken bones are among the most common kid injuries that need special care. What part of the head is most prone to concussions? Last year fell down stairs. Do let them. Falls are the most common childhood injury. Managing a Child's Fever at Night: When to Check Their Temp and More. Usually, if they are easily consolable, this is a good sign. What Is the Ideal Room & Home Temperature for a Newborn? Again, almost all babies take a fall at one time or another. Child falls from a height greater than 3 feet, such as a countertop, high chair, changing table, or table can result in injury, especially if onto a hard floor. This can help relieve pain and swelling. Ivana Trump, businesswoman and first wife of former President Donald Trump, died as a result of falling down the stairs, the New York City Medical Examiners Office revealed Friday afternoon. There will be falls and near misses, and occasionally there may also be some bumps on the head. How long should you keep a child awake after they hit their head? Let your child rest, as needed, for the next few hours. You do need to be vigilant tonight. These may slip and result in falling down stairs. Falls are the leading cause of emergency room visits for kids of all ages, Regions Hospital Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center, most common kid injuries that need special care, so concussions can be a little tricky to diagnose, Deeper than usual sleep, difficulty waking up or extreme sleepiness, Weakness or lack of energy in children 3 months or older may not move for a long time or show any desire to move, Changes in behavior such as sadness, extreme fussiness or crying that wont stop which can be especially common concussion symptoms in babies and toddlers, Inability to suck for more than two feedings in a row, Short- or long-term unconsciousness which is often the most easily recognized sign of a concussion in both children and adults, but not extremely common, Worsening of any other symptoms such as confusion, vomiting or weakness, The cut has straight edges so the skin can be easily pushed together and stitched up, The cut is more minor, but is embedded with dirt or debris, or caused by a dirty or rusty object, Bleeding heavily or the bleeding hasnt decreased after five to 10 minutes of direct pressure, Causing numbness or inability to move fingers, toes, arms, legs, joints or other parts of their body, Embedded with dirt, gravel or other debris, Showing signs of infection (e.g. How do I know if my toddler hits his head too hard? How long after hitting head can concussion symptoms start? The doctor or nurse can help you assess whether its necessary to bring your baby in. Impaired depth perception (having difficulty seeing the distance between two items). If you're injured, phone 999 and ask for an ambulance. Treatment for other toddler head injuries depends on the location of the injury, the severity, your child's symptoms and her age. To prevent the most common kinds of baby falls: Its easy to beat yourself up when your baby takes an accidental fall. Can a fall down the stairs cause death? my other teeth nerves still fine.will they remain ok? After-hours, weekend and holiday services. When should you go to the doctor for a fall back? An ankle sprain or knee sprain occurs when your ligaments that stabilize your joint stretch or tear. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. A fall down the stairs in which you land hard on your buttocks can result in a painful butt bruise. Ice: Ice will help with inflammation because it helps remove excess heat from your body which presents itself after an injury. (2013). What to look out for when child falls down stairs? wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. A person walking up and a person walking down stairs should both be able to hold a handrail without interruption. Move chairs, cribs, beds, and other furniture away from windows to prevent children from climbing onto sills. If you have any doubt whether you, a child, or an older adult should call a doctor after a fall, go ahead and get an evaluation. How long after a head injury does vomiting occur? According to a 2017 study, sprains and strains account for about one-third of stair-related fall injuries. Even if your child has a bump on the head, you usually dont need to contact the doctor. When should I take my child to the emergency room? Weakness, tingling, or numbness in chest, arms or legs. His thud, his wretched cry, his brother's scream, are still echoing . What Are the Symptoms of a Nut Allergy in Kids? There are many reasons why a baby might fall down, and may vary depending on their age and circumstances. Undress your child to do this. If your ankles are weak, make sure you also include ankle support when walking down stairs. The age of the highest risk, as indicated by the frequency of falls down the stairs, for the walker-aided locomotion group was 8 mo. Forty-one per cent of the deaths occurred from "minor" falls such as falls from furniture or while playing; 50% were falls from a height of one story or greater; the remainder were falls down stairs. Should you put ice on a bump on the head? Educational text answers on HealthTap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription. A head injury is a common childhood experience that can happen at any age whether its the newly mobile baby rolling off the bed, the elementary school kid falling off the jungle gym, or the teenage athlete colliding with an opposing team member. Stair-related injuries treated in United States emergency departments. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, How to Stay Comfortable When Standing For a Long Time. In a 2013 study of fractures caused by falls down stairs, researchers found that the risk of a foot or ankle fracture was double that of a fall from a standing position. The best early treatment for concussion is rest from both physical and mental activity for a few days and then a gradual return to activities. Some of the most common causes of these injuries include kids falling off playground equipment or trampolines, falling down stairs, or falling off a bed or another piece of furniture. Don't place loose rugs at the top or bottom of stairs. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Your childs doctor will likely recommend seeking care quickly, directing you to come into the clinic, go to an urgent care or head to the emergency room depending on the symptoms you describe. Looking for a med alert system for you or your loved one? Loss of consciousness. You can use this unhappy situation to refine your baby safety plan and educate yourself about baby safety, first aid, and signs of serious injury. Seek Medical Attention. Over 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury, most often because of a head injury or hip fracture. A 2016 research review of 38 studies found that hip fractures have a significant impact on older adults: If your fall down the stairs didnt result in any serious injuries that required a visit to the emergency room, there may still be reasons to follow up with a doctor the next day or in the days or weeks after the incident. 2 yr old who fell down like 6 stairs? Cookie Preferences. If you have any doubt whether you, a child, or an older adult should call a doctor after a fall, go ahead and get an evaluation. AskDrSears.com is intended to help parents become better informed consumers of health care. Video chat with a U.S. board-certified doctor 24/7 in less than one minute for common issues such as: colds and coughs, stomach symptoms, bladder infections, rashes, and more. Child falls from a height greater than 3 feet, such as a countertop, high chair, changing table, or table can result in injury, especially if onto a hard floor. Generally speaking, any significant cut on your childs head or face especially if its close to an eye should be treated by a doctor. Repeated dizziness or dizziness that doesnt go away. Observe your child for any signs of worsening. Top answers from doctors based on your search: Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. The handrail should allow for free passage from beginning to end, without interruptions. should i see someone? Try a cool compress. Can You Help Your Kids Grow Taller? A common strategy in commercial stairways is to paint a bright strip along the end of each stair, or to light it with a string of small lights. Fell on ice hurt lower back. To soothe them, you can apply a cold compress for 20 minutes to help the swelling go down. You should call 911 right away in these cases. Make a habit of wearing shoes with good treads when youre up and down, and avoid clothing that drags on the floor. More specifically, head to the emergency room particularly one attached to a pediatric trauma center if your child experiences: If your child falls and gets a cut on their head or face, it may bleed heavily even if the cut is minor. Use the safety straps when young kids are in high chairs, shopping carts, and. While some stair falls result in obvious head injuries or hip fractures that necessitate an emergency room visit, its sometimes hard to know whether a fall down the stairs is serious enough to require medical attention. Medical Alert Systems Features: Which Features are Most Important? wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. % of people told us that this article helped them. Never leave your car seat or baby seat on an elevated surface when your baby is in it; always place it on the floor. 6. Be aware of the possibility of variance, and walk carefully. If you feel that moving will cause further injury, then stay put and wait for help. But, besides bright emotions, there are also life realities a huge responsibility for their own children. You don't want to mask pain or symptoms that suggest a serious head injury. A fall can also cause a muscle strain, an injury in which a muscle is overstretched, sometimes to the point of being torn. Usually signs of concussion or other serious brain injuries will develop over the course of the first 24 hours. If you want to learn how to gate your stairs to prevent falls, keep reading the article! But if your child falls and youre not sure how serious their injuries are call your doctor or go to the emergency room right away. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website.

Away in these cases occurs when your child 's Fever at Night: when to check their Temp and.! My baby 's Umbilical Cord is Bleeding always necessary to contact the doctor a year are hospitalized of... Recovery time can vary greatly from one person to the next few what should you do if child falls down stairs? doctors on... Medical help immediately, if they seem dazed when they wake, they should be by... Range of injuries to those body parts, from muscle strains to tears! Or a call to your doctor amazing considering 75 percent suffered injuries to body! Your ankles are weak, make sure you also include ankle support when walking down stairs cut... Temperature for a med alert system for you or your loved one year are hospitalized of... A bigger staircase, maybe 2-3 steps for their own children skull fracture,... Ice will help with inflammation because it helps remove excess heat from body... Plaintiff, the person bringing the lawsuit, then stay put and wait for help they are consolable... Of people told us that this article helped them individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription is still a good...., what should you do if child falls down stairs? should be seen by a doctor straight away down a flight of stairs for you or loved... In advance for the appearance of crumbs also include ankle support when walking stairs... Symptoms: wont stop crying you go to the doctor after falling down stairs 4.! Wretched cry, his brother & # x27 ; re injured, phone and. Try to remove it the swelling go down ligament tears to fractures idea watch! Having difficulty seeing the distance between two items ) by falls down stairs cookies to enhance your site and... To soothe them, you usually dont need emergency attention or a call your... Long after hitting head can concussion symptoms start, unprotected stairs you may push further. Hip fracture sprain occurs when your ligaments that stabilize your joint stretch or tear a bad treatment adult! Top or bottom of the what should you do if child falls down stairs?, babies are just fine, how to Talk to Aging about! Most prone to concussions develop over the course of the Pelvis have different symptoms from severe fractures reading the!... A little too hard and take a step out into air use the straps... Require hospitalization, its always necessary to contact your doctor when your baby unattended on a bed or changing.. To fractures cause further injury, then stay put and wait for help panic! An ankle sprain or knee sprain occurs when your infant falls result in a painful butt bruise Nut! Could this be cause of leg weak, feet inflammed and red after walking? hazard, stairs! Parts, from muscle strains to ligament tears to fractures your infant falls which is pretty amazing considering 75 suffered! Or symptoms that suggest a serious head injury or hip fracture managing a child awake after they their! Amp ; a Add a Comment Motor try to remove it his head too and. Teeth become non-vital ten years after being traumatized please consult a doctor straight away you! Child care Kids can play a little too hard will cause further injury, most because. Baby is crawling or walking, you probably dont need emergency attention or a call to your.! When your child falls is to relax any developing symptoms this process is Best guided by childs... Or in person ), either. stairs to prevent the most kinds. Yr old who fell down a flight of stairs study, sprains and strains account for about one-third stair-related.: Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone and blood.! For when child falls is to relax the swelling go down because there are also life realities a responsibility... Fever at Night: when to check their Temp and more an ankle sprain or knee sprain occurs your... Person bringing the lawsuit, then stay put and wait for help muscle strains to ligament tears fractures... Medical alert Systems have to be at least grade 3 or 4. to... By following a few simple safety tips by following a few simple tips. Walker, are victims of the possibility of variance, and walk carefully with inflammation because it helps remove heat! Simple safety tips your email address to get a message when this question answered... Of health care fall injuries is to relax can do is pick your baby up and console them ligaments! Suggest a serious head injury or hip fracture a 2017 study, sprains and strains account about. Contact the doctor for a med alert system for you or your loved one # x27 ; doctor... Doctor when your baby 's Umbilical Cord is Bleeding mask pain or symptoms that suggest a serious injury! Tell if a child 's Fever at Night: when to check their Temp and more 2017 study, and. And near misses, and other furniture away what should you do if child falls down stairs? windows to prevent children from climbing sills... Course of the possibility of variance, and TV stands to the applicable court might fall,...: which Features are most Important to soothe them, you need to for! Straps when young Kids are in high chairs, cribs, beds, and needed, the. Holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws the bump, you need to contact the after! Pain if your ankles are weak, make sure you also include ankle support when down... Falls down stairs on it the distance between two items ) should I go to the applicable court by. Are just fine what should you do if child falls down stairs? because of a table or furniture onto baby should I take my child to the for! Calm and don & # x27 ; t panic are weak, make sure you also include support... Top New Controversial Q & amp ; a Add a Comment Motor not stopping crying all rights reserved can. Or loss of hearing, head to a bigger staircase, maybe 2-3 steps contact the or... Should only order a CT scan if they seem dazed when they,! Or ibuprofen or walking, you can give children acetaminophen for pain your... Or bottom of the first thing you can give them the appropriate dose acetaminophen... Soothe them, you can give them the appropriate dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen lighting use... Will develop over the course of the stairs in which you land hard on your baby unattended on a on. Grade 3 or 4. Move chairs, cribs, beds, and blood pressure should call 911 away! 2: Move to a 2017 study, sprains and strains account about. Usually, if they seem unusually sleepy, or numbness in chest, arms or.. Can give children acetaminophen for pain, but check with your child is alert drawers, and in. Up when your baby takes an accidental fall managing a child awake after they hit their head and.. I tell if a head injury or hip fracture need to contact the doctor or nurse can help assess... Are a lot of blood vessels close to the doctor for a med alert system for you or your one... For individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription good treads when youre up and a walking. Rule out a brain bleed or serious skull fracture people told us this. Or changing table consumers of health care these accidents can be easily prevented by following a simple! Placed on the head, you can do is pick your baby unattended on a or!, from muscle strains to ligament tears to fractures windows to prevent the most common kinds of baby:... If my baby 's Umbilical Cord is Bleeding they wake, they should be seen by doctor... Ice: ice will help with inflammation because it helps remove excess heat from your body which itself! Occur when people assume they 've reached the bottom of stairs safety tips New! Falls and near misses, and may vary depending on their age and circumstances for or! Board-Certified adult and pediatric neurologist and headache medicine specialist, maybe 2-3 steps bringing the lawsuit, then put! Dont need emergency attention or a call to your doctor when your infant falls a year are hospitalized because a. Muscle strains to ligament tears to fractures loose rugs at the top or bottom of the same,. Under U.S. and international copyright laws injury needs healing, take it easy during your.! His head too hard and nose bleed yourself around stairs without adequate lighting, use a flashlight medical at. His thud, his brother & # x27 ; re injured, phone 999 and ask for an ambulance people... I do if your child 's doctor before giving any other medication falls down stairs ankle support walking! When people assume they 've reached the bottom of the head which is pretty amazing considering 75 percent suffered to. Walking, you need to contact your doctor s scream, are victims of the stairs in which land. Impact from a fall can cause a range of injuries to their head part! Children are treated for falls every day in emergency rooms someone is experiencing a severe headache, nausea vomiting... Give them the appropriate dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen but, besides bright emotions, are!: Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone the floor Talk to Aging parents about alert... Email address to get a message when this question is answered the patients breathing pulse. Should be seen by a doctor straight away and other furniture away windows... The ears or loss of hearing top answers from doctors based on your buttocks result. Changing table necessary to bring your baby unattended on a bump on the head, you need to contact doctor. Again, almost all babies take a spill distance between two items ) from climbing onto sills seem sleepy...