How to Deal With a Child's Head Injury

As your child grows, it's inevitable that he will fall and bump his head at some point, especially as he's learning to walk. However, it's important to know how to react to both a minor head injury and a major one, and to follow the proper steps to help your child.

Instructions

If Your Child Sustains a Minor Head Injury

• 1

  Place an ice pack wrapped in a towel on the spot of the injury for 15 to 20 minutes, if your child is awake and alert.

• 2

  Try to keep your child relaxed and still, and if there's a wound, apply a sterile bandage.

• 3

  Check in on your child if the head injury happened near naptime or bedtime to ensure he's breathing properly and that his limbs aren't twitching. Call his pediatrician if you suspect a problem.

If Your Child Sustains a Major Head Injury

• 4

  Phone your child's pediatrician immediately if he is an infant and has lost consciousness, if only for a few seconds.

• 5

  Observe your child's behavior immediately after the head injury. If he is crying without stopping, has pain in his neck or head, or cannot walk without stumbling, call his doctor.

• 6

  Watch your child carefully for the next day or so. If he appears to act normally, then the injury is not serious. However, if he begins bleeding from the nose, ears or mouth, is dizzy, weak or vomiting or is having trouble speaking or breathing, these are signs of an internal injury and you should phone your doctor immediately.

• 7

  Move your child onto his side after the incident if he's having a seizure or throwing up, but keep his neck and head straight. This prevents choking and protects him in case he's suffered a spinal cord or neck injury.

• 8

  Call an ambulance immediately if your child is unconscious after receiving the head injury, bleeding from the nose, ears, or mouth, dizzy, weak, or vomiting or is having trouble speaking, breathing or moving.