Falling Out of Bed

It is common for children to fall out of bed while they are sleeping. Most of the time, they are not even aware of it; rather, it is a parent who hears the thump in the night or walks past the room to see them laying in an odd position on the floor or half on the bed and half on the floor.

Addressing the Falls from Bed

When it comes to kids falling out of bed at night, the good news is that it rarely causes serious injuries. All the same, most parents would rather help their child avoid such falls in the first place, to prevent bumps, scrapes and disturbed sleep (for both the child and parent). If your child falls out of bed while sleeping, keep these options in mind to at least help to soften the blow:

• Make sure that young children are in a bed that is appropriate for their age and size.
• Put their bed up against a wall, so that there is at least one side that keeps them from falling.
• Add side railings to your child's bed. These can be purchased from places that sell beds, as well as from most stores that carry children's bedding supplies.
• Try to pad the floor a little, to make for a softer landing. You can do this by putting a soft rug, blanket or pillows where your child would land when falling.
• Another option is to skip the bed frame and just put the mattress on the floor, until your child gets more used to sleeping in a bed.
• When positioning their bed, try to keep it away from the sharp corners of dressers, tables, etc. that could hurt them if they fall.

Bunk Bed Safety Awareness and Beyond.

Bunk beds are used by millions of families to save space, but the American Academy of Pediatrics reports that they are a common source of injury among children. Therefore, precautions should always be followed, including the use of a safety rail. It is recommended that they not be used for children six and under, as research shows they sustain the most injuries from bunk beds.

Falling out of bed happens to most kids at one time or another, as they get used to where the edge of the mattress is. Given the short distance that they will be falling, you do not have a lot to worry about. But following a few of the steps suggested above can help your child avoid being injured when it happens.