Falls prevention and reduction usually focuses on older adults, with less focus on recognition and prevention of newborn falls.

Newborn falls can result in serious harm to the newborn as well as emotional distress to parents and health and social care professionals. Recognition of risk factors and preventive measures, coupled with education for mothers, can help reduce the risk of newborn falls.

Incidents related to newborn falls reported on NIMS, the National Incident Management System, include incidents where a baby falls from a height (e.g. bed, weighing scales, resuscitaire), where a baby falls from the mother’s arms during/after feeding, or where a baby is not securely strapped into car seat when leaving the ward/department.

Risk Considerations

A number of risk factors have been identified which may contribute to newborn falls:

• Restricted maternal mobility, e.g. after epidural or spinal anaesthesia, and post-Caesarean sections ^{1, 2}
• Maternal use of analgesia ²
• Insufficient rest and recovery for mothers ²
• Low maternal haemoglobin ^{1, 2}

Falls are more common during the second or third night post-partum, specifically from midnight to early morning hours. ¹

How to minimise the risk of newborn falls in the health and social care setting

• Educate all staff and parents on the risks for newborn falls ^{1, 2}

• Incorporate a safety message about the risk of baby falls into antenatal education programmes ²

• Develop an assessment tool to identify those at increased risk for a newborn fall ^{1, 2}

• Promote maternal rest ²

• Consider using “clip-on” bedside cots

• Develop signage for the relevant ward/room outlining the risk of newborn falls and suggested preventative measures ²

• Keep curtains open, where possible, to enable staff to identify those at risk / requiring assistance

References available on request