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How do I Treat a Toddler Head Injury?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Toddlers are just learning to walk, run, and jump. As such, they typically have more opportunities to bump their heads than older children. Knowing how to treat a toddler head injury can be very important for parents and caregivers. Treating this type of injury requires an adult to assess the injury, provide first aid, and decide whether or not professional medical care is needed.

When treating a toddler head injury, the adult in charge should look for signs of serious injury. Such signs include excessive bleeding, bleeding from the eyes, nose, or ears, difficulty breathing or talking, paralysis of any part of the body, and passing out. He should also look for injuries to other parts of the body, such as bones of the extremities, the spine, and the neck. If the adult suspects an injury is more serious than a bump on the head, he should call for emergency medical help at once. If the child's neck is injured, he should not move the child while he waits for medical help to arrive.

An ice pack, which can reduce swelling from a head injury.
An ice pack, which can reduce swelling from a head injury.

If there are no immediate signs of serious injury, an adult may begin to treat a toddler head injury at home. Holding an ice pack, at 20-minute intervals, to the bumped part of the head may help lessen swelling. If the child is bleeding, the adult in charge may use a clean cloth to press against the area and encourage the bleeding to stop. This method typically works for scrapes and superficial cuts on a child’s face or scalp. If the adult notes a large gash or puncture, he may use a cloth to compress and the area to attempt to stop the bleeding, but he should call for emergency medical help as well.

Many toddlers experience headaches following head injuries. A dose of acetaminophen may help in such a case. It’s important to read the bottle for proper dosing information or consult a doctor before giving a toddler this medication.

Parents should bring their toddler to a doctor right away if serious symptoms occur as a result of a head injury.
Parents should bring their toddler to a doctor right away if serious symptoms occur as a result of a head injury.

While it's possible to treat a toddler head injury at home, an adult should continue to observe the child for warning signs after making him comfortable. This means noting whether he is mentally alert and talking or acting normally. While he may not want to play if he’s been hurt or frightened by the injury, he shouldn’t appear lethargic, more difficult to understand than normal, or unable to focus with his eyes.

A child who is even unconscious for seconds should be examined by a medical professional immediately.
A child who is even unconscious for seconds should be examined by a medical professional immediately.

Even after the critical first aid period has passed, it may still be necessary for a doctor or emergency room staff to treat a toddler head injury. If the child vomits more than twice, seems unable to understand what people are saying to him, or has difficulty keeping his balance, he needs medical evaluation. Likewise, if he has severe head pain, cries continuously for more than an hour, or is unusually pale, a trip to a doctor or the emergency room is probably a good idea.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

ValleyFiah

Falls are scary, and baby head injuries are even scarier, but they are all part of having a kid. Your kid is going to fall, and every once in a while a kid will get hurt. At least children are resilient.

highlighter

My scariest moment as a parent happened when my daughter was a little over a year old and she rolled off the couch. We have tile floors in our living room, and my daughter sat up on the sofa with her back to the floor. She is normally fine on the couch, but I had walked across the room to get a diaper for her. She went off the edge backward and landed square on the back of her head. I picked her up, and she was woozy, like she had been knocked out. Luckily, my wife works at the hospital, and we only live about 15 blocks away. I took her to my truck and got her to the E.R because she was showing signs of concussion. It turned out that she was fine; babbling with the nurses before leaving the E.R., but it was still nerve wracking. She is two years old now, but I still get nervous when she climbs up on the couch.

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    • An ice pack, which can reduce swelling from a head injury.
      By: Kimberly Reinick
      An ice pack, which can reduce swelling from a head injury.
    • Parents should bring their toddler to a doctor right away if serious symptoms occur as a result of a head injury.
      By: Darren Baker
      Parents should bring their toddler to a doctor right away if serious symptoms occur as a result of a head injury.
    • A child who is even unconscious for seconds should be examined by a medical professional immediately.
      By: Darren Baker
      A child who is even unconscious for seconds should be examined by a medical professional immediately.
    • Head injuries that lead to unconsciousness require emergency medical attention at a local pediatric ER.
      By: blondsteve
      Head injuries that lead to unconsciousness require emergency medical attention at a local pediatric ER.
    • A medical professional should check the toddler's vital signs after any trauma to the head.
      By: michaeljung
      A medical professional should check the toddler's vital signs after any trauma to the head.
    • Toddlers have more opportunities to bump their heads than older children.
      By: Leonid Ikan
      Toddlers have more opportunities to bump their heads than older children.
    • Toddlers are just learning to walk, run and jump, so there are more opportunities for injury.
      By: _ossa_
      Toddlers are just learning to walk, run and jump, so there are more opportunities for injury.
    • Severe head pain after a head injury may require a trip to the emergency room.
      By: Alexandra
      Severe head pain after a head injury may require a trip to the emergency room.