BookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxFilledCheckBoxCircleBumpCheckedFilledMedical

3-Year-Old's Broken Femur Reminds Parents to Avoid This Activity

Make sure to keep your little ones away from the trampoline.
save article
profile picture of Natalie Escobar
Updated July 11, 2017
toddler jumping on trampoline

When you think of places that are dangerous for toddlers, trampolines aren’t often one of them. After all, you probably spent a portion of your childhood bouncing up and down on one. But the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) actually warns against children under the age of 6 jumping on trampolines because of the risk of injury.

One mom, Kait Ellen, found this out the hard way, as she wrote in a Facebook post. When she and her husband took their 3-year-old son, Colton, to a trampoline park, they weren’t expecting he would end up in a hip spica cast for six weeks. But when Colton fell on the mat he was jumping on, he broke his femur, the longest and strongest bone in his body. His parents, who were jumping on separate squares next to him, had no idea that the “repetitive pressure from jumping” was dangerous for his fragile, developing bones.
“We share this with you today to spread awareness that these facilities are specifically advertising for Toddler Time, when in fact toddlers should be no where near trampolines,” Ellen wrote.

These kinds of injuries are more common than you might think. Almost half of all trampoline injuries among children 5 years old or younger led to fractures or dislocations, many of which were even supervised by parents, according to the AAP. Furthermore, they say that rules and regulations for trampoline parks might not follow their guidelines, explaining why parents like Ellen might not know that they shouldn’t take their toddlers there. Because accidents are so common, the organization says that pediatricians should advise parents of young children against recreational trampoline use, even if there’s netting or other safety equipment.

While Ellen didn’t know that the trampoline wasn’t a safe place for her son, she says she hopes that other parents don’t have their lives “turned upside down” by accidents like this.

“We hope by sharing his story it will prevent a child and their family from experiencing the trauma and heartbreak associated with trampoline injuries in young children,” she wrote.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

save article
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

1 in 4 Moms Report Falling Asleep While Feeding Baby
1 in 4 Moms Report Falling Asleep While Feeding Baby
By Wyndi Kappes
Guava Family Roam stroller recall
Why Guava Roam Strollers Are Being Recalled
By Wyndi Kappes
smiling baby in infant lounger
CPSC Sets New Safety Standards for Infant Support Cushions
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
baby in baby walker
Safety Experts Renew Call for Ban on Baby Walkers
By Wyndi Kappes
kids water beads toy
ER Visits Related to Water Beads Are Increasing Rapidly Among Kids
By Wyndi Kappes
father holding newborn baby at home
How to Hold a Newborn Baby
Medically Reviewed by Lauren Crosby, MD
mom and baby in swimming pool
Babies Should Start Swim Lessons at 1, AAP Says
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
energizer child shield button batteries
Energizer Debuts New Button Battery Features to Keep Kids Safe
By Wyndi Kappes
close up of newborn baby wearing earring in pierced ear
What to Know Before Piercing Baby’s Ears
Medically Reviewed by Lauren Crosby, MD
hatch baby sound machine power adapter recall 2024
Hatch Baby Sound Machines Impacted by Recent Recall
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
mother holding baby powder during diaper change
Is Baby Powder Safe for Diaper Changes—or Anything?
Medically Reviewed by Lauren Crosby, MD
MGA Entertainment Recalls Miniverse Make It Mini Sets
CPSC Issues Recall for 21 Million Miniverse Toy Sets
By Wyndi Kappes
mom and child holding hands outside on summer day
Pediatric Nurse Shares 5 Summer Activities She'd Never Let Her Kids Do
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
mom teaching baby how to swim in pool
Kids' Drowning Deaths Increase for First Time in Decades, CDC Reports
By Wyndi Kappes
baby wearing a life jacket while sitting on paddle board in water with mom
5 Best Infant Life Jackets, Tested by a Dad and Baby
By Daniel Willon
crate and barrel hampshire cribs recall
Why Crate & Barrel Is Recalling Its Hampshire Cribs
By Wyndi Kappes
Gain Tide laundry detergent display inside lowe's store
8.2 Million Bags of Tide and Gain Pods Recalled Over Child Safety
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
comfi baby infant walkers recall
The CPSC Asks Parents to Stop Using Comfi Baby Infant Walkers
By Wyndi Kappes
Fisher Price Little People Mickey and Friends Figures recall due to choking hazard
Fisher-Price Recalls Little People Mickey and Friends Figures
By Wyndi Kappes
young child holding gummies
Study Finds 420% Uptick in Child ER Visits Due to Melatonin Poisoning
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.