A roll off the bed, a bump on the corner of a table, a tumble while learning to walk: almost every baby bumps their head at some point, and the moment is terrifying for parents. Most head injuries in babies are minor and heal with comfort and close watching. Here is what to do straight away, the warning signs that need urgent help and how to prevent falls.
Quick answer: head injuries in babies
- Most bumps are minor: your baby cries straight away, calms within minutes and acts normally.
- Call emergency services for loss of consciousness, a seizure, repeated vomiting or a baby who is hard to wake.
- Babies under 1 year with anything more than a very minor bump should be checked by a doctor.
- Watch closely for 24 hours after any head injury.
What to do straight after a bump
- Stay calm and comfort your baby.
- Check them: are they crying, alert and moving normally?
- Apply a cold compress wrapped in a cloth to any swelling for a few minutes.
- Treat cuts by pressing gently with a clean cloth.
- Watch closely for changes over the next hours.
Call emergency services if your baby
- loses consciousness, even briefly
- has a seizure or fit
- vomits more than once
- is very drowsy and hard to wake, or not responding normally
- has blood or clear fluid from the nose or ears
- has a bulging soft spot, a dent in the skull or a large swelling
- cries inconsolably, or is unusually floppy or irritable
- fell from a height, such as from a high chair, changing table or down stairs
Watching your baby for 24 hours
- let your baby sleep if they are tired, but check that they wake normally and are easy to rouse
- watch feeding, behaviour, movement and alertness
- give paracetamol (acetaminophen) only if needed for discomfort, at the right dose
- get help if anything changes or worries you
Preventing falls
- never leave your baby alone on a bed, sofa or changing table
- change nappies on the floor if you need to step away
- always use the straps in high chairs, prams and bouncers, and put bouncers on the floor
- fit stair gates once your baby starts to crawl
- avoid baby walkers, which are linked to falls and head injuries
For more safety advice, see when to call the pediatrician and choking hazards for babies.
When to talk to your doctor
- any head injury in a baby under 1 year that is more than a very minor bump
- a large bump or swelling
- changes in sleep, feeding or behaviour in the days after
- you are unsure how the injury happened
Frequently asked questions
Can I let my baby sleep after a bump?
Yes, if they are acting normally. Check on them regularly and wake them gently if you are worried.
Why does a bump get so big?
The scalp has lots of blood vessels, so swelling (a goose egg) is common and not usually serious.
Are soft spots dangerous after a fall?
The soft spot is protected by a tough membrane. A bulging soft spot after a fall needs urgent assessment.
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Sources
- NHS: Head injury and concussion
- NICE: Head injury: assessment and early management
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org: Head Injury
This guide is general information, not medical advice. If your baby has a head injury and you are worried, seek medical help straight away.