Swinging a child by the arm can look like fun until it becomes a painful ordeal for the child. Adults love to play with children, but sometimes ‘harmless’ fun can pose a risk to the child’s health. There have been reports of permanent damage to children arising from swinging child by arm injuries.
Swinging child by arm injuries can also be caused by picking up a child roughly
Why parents should take swinging child by arm injuries seriously
Children become less prone to injuries as they grow older and their bones become stronger. However, while they are very young, swinging child by arm injuries remain a huge risk to their physical growth and development.
Most adults underrate the kind of injury a child could sustain from arm swinging. A study carried out by a group of researchers confirmed that nursemaid’s elbow is one of the injuries that could result from swinging a child by their arms. This article in kidshealth.org states that once nursemaid’s elbow occurs, it is most likely going to happen again. This means that the child is set up for a life a pain.
Injuries caused by swinging child by arm
Swinging child by arm injuries are many. These injuries can affect children between the ages of 1-4, as their bones and joints are still tender and underdeveloped. If you swing a child by the arm, youcan inflict the following injuries:
-
Nursemaids’ elbow
This is the major injury that usually results from swinging a child by the arm or forcefully picking up of the child by the arm. The injury involves the dislocation or pulling out of the child’s elbow from the socket.
It’s usually easy to place the elbow back to its position but this will be painful for the child. That it happened once means it may happen again, hence parents and family members are required to keep a close watch on the child and ensure that they are kept from harm’s way.
2. Bruises resulting from getting hit
In the process of swinging a child, it is possible that the child may come in contact with a hard surface nearby,thereby colliding with it. This could result in one or more bruises.
3. Muscle sprain and strain
Children between the ages of 1-4 are at risk of getting these injuries because of excessive pressure exerted on the muscles. The muscles of the child are actively involved during the swinging motion and often times the child is usually unprepared for it, causing a sprain or a strain.
4. Other dislocations
The elbow, shoulder and even the wrist are the joints that are involved in the swinging motion and most times these joints are the most prone to injuries. The injuries may or may not be permanent depending on the severity of the accident.
How can it be prevented?
The best way to pick up a child is to lift them under the armpit
In the defense of the parents and other family members, arms swinging of the child was not originally intended to harm the child. The injury is the “side effect” of playing. Therefore, to prevent swinging child by arm injuries, other forms of play that would not harm the joints or bones of the child can be used. Other forms of play include football, playing in the sand, solving puzzles, etc.
-
Carry infants by the armpits instead
Instead of picking or pulling the child up by the arm, use the armpits. Its much safer considering how tender and fragile a child is. This will help to prevent swinging child by arm injuries.
Swinging child by arm injuries are common in children, and they can be severe and painful, too. Children between the ages of 1-4 should be handled with care to avoid unintentionally inflicting permanent damage on their bodies.
Resources: Children Hospital of Winsconsin
WebMD
