Joanne Hart for HelloDoctor.com
Okay, little ones are constantly bumping into things, or pulling objects over – so, it’s no great surprise to see them come home with the odd scrape or bruise. You should expect the day-care staff to give you some feedback on how a bruise happened, but it’s also possible for them to miss a small bump forms a bruise later in the day.
What to look for
If your toddler is coming home with bruises all the time (bruises that aren’t explained), or you can see hand-marks, talk to the day-care staff immediately!
Check in with other parents as to whether their little ones have come back with bruises. If this a common occurrence it may means negligence or abuse. Make sure you back up your claims before getting social services to investigate as false accusations can carry legal implications. If you don’t feel like confrontation, give notice and move your child to another day-care facility.
If your child still has bruises after attending a new day-care, it’s time to visit a doctor and find out if there’s a medical reason behind it.
How to treat your baby’s bruise
Most bruises heal on their own within a week to 10 days, they are harmless. To help the healing, you can:
- Arnica cream or gel suitable for toddlers may help to reduce the swelling, but be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging.
- If your baby seems in pain from the bruise, some baby paracetamol or infant ibuprofen may help – again, remember to stick to the package instructions, checking the dose carefully and calling your doctor if you’re unsure. And remember to kiss it better!
When to call the doctor
You should also call the doctor if any of the following happens:
- Your toddler has banged her head and has a bruise behind the ear. This could be a sign of a skull fracture.
- If your baby got the bruises after an accident, such as falling down the stairs or off a bed.
- The bruise doesn’t fade or disappear in two weeks.
- Your baby seems upset and in pain for more than 24 hours.
- The bruise seems swollen and full of pus, and hasn’t got better after 48 hours of ice treatment.
- Your baby develops a fever.
- Your baby has lots of unexplained black-and-blue or purple spots and bruises that aren’t associated with injuries. This may indicate that he has a bleeding disorder.
Source: Baby Centre