We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How do I Treat a Toddler Head Injury?

Nicole Madison
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 25,155
Share

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.

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.

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.

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.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Nicole Madison
By Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison's love for learning inspires her work as a WiseGeek writer, where she focuses on topics like homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. Her passion for knowledge is evident in the well-researched and informative articles she authors. As a mother of four, Nicole balances work with quality family time activities such as reading, camping, and beach trips.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By ValleyFiah — On Jan 16, 2011

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.

By highlighter — On Jan 14, 2011

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.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison's love for learning inspires her work as a WiseGeek writer, where she focuses on topics like...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-do-i-treat-a-toddler-head-injury.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.