Brusies

Updated on April 04, 2011
K.A. asks from Knoxville, TN
9 answers

My 81/2 month old son has had two bruises on his rib cage.He just started crawling also.He has also slept more then usual the past 3 days.I have researched and have read all the stuff about luekemyia and i have freaked myself out now.Im worried that he might have it.Should i just ask my peditrician about the bruises and sleeping more or what??im so scared now:(we just got done being worried to he had to get a MRI cause his head was too small they said..can anyone help me through this.

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C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

this is the problem with modern technology - we aren't doctors and we research things and self-diagnose things.

He's crawling, he's moving - expect bumps and bruises to happen. He is expending more energy now that he's moving so he will sleep more!!

Okay - so his head is small. If the MRI came back fine - then he's just smaller than the "average" child. That happens. In 6 months - he may be ahead.. you never know...

CALM DOWN!! DO NOT PANIC!!! I'll tell you a funny story - my son was all of 4 months old and one day after him trying to sit up and do things - i noticed, what I would call a bruise - now keep in mind my 1st son was 6 weeks preemie and now almost 20 lbs (can you say butter call turkey?) I had to lug him around and I thought I might have squeezed too hard - called my pediatrician crying because I thought I had hurt my son - they made an appointment for me within the hour - I went in and took off my sons outfit -the dr - smiled graciously and told me - it's not a bruise - it's a birth mark - a cafe au lait - my son as a "stain" on the back of his leg...the Dr was wonderful and told me DO NOT PANIC....I knew this but was soooo scared since it had been 14 years since I had had a baby!!!

STOP PANICKING!! STOP RESEARCHING THINGS!!! You are making yourself nuts and will not be able to enjoy your son because you are too busy researching things he MIGHT have.

He is GROWING!! They grow the most in their first year of life than they do any other time. At the point now - where he's getting more active - like I said - HE WILL SLEEP MORE. he will get bumps and bruises.

He should be going into the Dr for his 9 month well child in a few weeks, right? IF the bruises do NOT go away BEFORE then - then call. But I bet they'll be gone in a few days if not sooner. STOP PANICKING!! TAKE A DEEP BREATH!!! STOP RESEARCHING!!! You are going to give yourself an ulcer or a heart attack if you keep trying to find something wrong with your son.

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K.S.

answers from Chicago on

Bruising associated with leukemia is often far mor prevalent than you are describing. If you held his hand and it left a bruise, if he leaned on something and it left a bruise so on and so forth. With toddlers that would equal nearly a body covered in them. Definately contact your ped. It's always better to be certain. But do not make a self diagnosis and get yourself sick. It could be something as simple as a bump or a need for more iron. Breathe - it will be fine!

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A.H.

answers from Chicago on

Easy bruising along with fever, fatigue, recurring infections are symptoms of leukemia, not bruising alone.

Most likely he's bumped into a couple of things while he's been cruising - and think about how much more active he is now with the crawling...which is most likely the cause of him sleeping more in the last few days.

You should always trust your mommy instincts, so if you truly feel that something could be wrong, speak with your pediatrician and just see what they have to say. However thankfully childhood cancers are quite rare and most likely your son does not have leukemia.

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P.M.

answers from Portland on

I would not worry unless the bruises are huge and dark, or getting significantly larger over time. If they're just an inch or so, medium blue, and begin to resolve in a day or two, he's probably just fine.

Extra sleep is sometimes needed by active, growing babies. Occasionally is is connected with illness, like the child is coming down with a cold. But again, think in terms of quantity. If he's getting an extra hour or two and is active between naps, no problem. If he's sleeping for 4 or more extra hours and is listless or drowsy between naps, call your doc.

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S.D.

answers from Dallas on

I am like you in that the internet is my best and worst friends. I honestly wouldn't worry about this. He may have laid on something or "fell" while crawling. I would mention it at my next doctor visit or if you are truly worried, I would call tomorrow and set an appt. Don't worry, Momma, I'm sure it is nothing!

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J.N.

answers from Salt Lake City on

What color are they? Are they going through normal bruise progression (blue/black/purple, then green, then yellow).

If they are quite red, or if more show up in quick succession, take him in ASAP. Don't want to scare you, but a friend of mine started out with noticing bruises on her baby, took him in 2 days later, and was sent straight to ER. He had a rare, aggressive case, and she lost him 8 months later. You case is very likely nothing, but if you are worried, and if the bruises seem unusual, it's much better to get him checked, at least for your peace of mind. The ped should be able to tell by the appearance of the bruises if you need to get more testing.

C.W.

answers from Las Vegas on

Are the bruises look like they could be from bumping or are they bigger and darker? I'm sure bruises are normal for crawlers... my little girl never personally got bruises on her rib cage. You can go to the pediatrician to check out the bruises just to be safe... you really never know if someone is bad and will take advantage that he's crawling... probably not happening but it's always best to rule it out anyways. Is there a way to check luekemia without MRIs or any other invasive type procedures? The more sleep could be that he's expelling more energy with his crawling.

Although it is most likely all normal, keeping your bases clear is still a good thing.

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E.M.

answers from Louisville on

i would talk to the dr about the brusing. it is normal for children to go through periods where they sleep more or less.

J.S.

answers from Hartford on

He just started crawling. That means the bruising is normal. He's bumping into stuff that he didn't have the chance to bump into before. Plus, crawling is tiring work that he's not used to doing so of course he's sleeping more. It's also very possible and even likely that he's having a growth spurt, which means babies nap more during them too, but the crawling bit tiring him out is more likely right now.

I honestly don't think you have anything to worry about. Kids get bruises from normal everyday stuff. If the bruises are enormous and spread out all over his body, that's a different story. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry about it.

Updated

He just started crawling. That means the bruising is normal. He's bumping into stuff that he didn't have the chance to bump into before. Plus, crawling is tiring work that he's not used to doing so of course he's sleeping more. It's also very possible and even likely that he's having a growth spurt, which means babies nap more during them too, but the crawling bit tiring him out is more likely right now.

I honestly don't think you have anything to worry about. Kids get bruises from normal everyday stuff. If the bruises are enormous and spread out all over his body, that's a different story. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry about it.

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