Bumps and Bruises

By: Christine Cox (aka Choosy Mom)

Crawlers, scooters and walkers all have one thing in common – bumps and bruises. My toddler has experienced both! As little ones are trying out their new skills, they are bound to run into things, fall and scrape a knee, bruise an elbow or bump heads. As parents, it is our job to try to keep them safe from accidents as well as know what to do when they occur.

To help prevent children from getting hurt, there are some simple things we can do every day as

choosy parents. First is a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, dairy and protein to help strengthen our little ones so they can overcome their injury in the moment, and grow up to be healthy and strong. And even though children are “stretchy” and “extra bendy,” it is best to try to stretch before an afternoon on the playground. Have your child reach arms high to the sky and then touch their toes, or sit and stretch.

We should also make sure our children are wearing appropriate clothing and shoes for their activity. I know that I am amazed at how fast my toddler is growing, so it is a priority of mine to make sure that she is wearing clothing and shoes that fit her correctly, especially when we are going to be running around.

If your child should fall and get hurt, it is best for parents to stay calm. I am not a fan of blood. If I see blood, I get fainty, but I try and stay strong for my toddler so that she doesn’t get scared. I always let my little one know she is going to be OK. Kisses always make everything better, but so does a First Aid kit and Band-Aids.

If your toddler gets seriously injured, always contact 911 or head straight to the emergency room. Kisses can’t fix broken bones but they sure do help boo-boos!

For more tips on how to keep your children safe, visit the CDC’s website! And for directions on how to make a fun boo-boo buddy, click here!

About the Author: Christine Cox is the blog master for Choosy Kids. She has always had a passion for writing and is honored to contribute her work to this blog. Most of her writing inspiration comes from her daughter, Capri, who is fun-loving and full of energy. Click here to learn more about Christine.