Head Injury in Kids: What to Do and When to Visit a Hospital

When your child bumps their head, it's natural to feel worried. Whether it's a tumble from the playground, a knock during playtime, or an accidental fall at home, head injuries in children can feel frightening. The good news is that most head injuries in kids are mild and heal well with proper care and observation.

Still, it can be hard to know what to do at the moment. This guide will help you recognise when a head injury needs medical attention and give you clear, practical advice on the next steps, so you can feel more confident caring for your child.

Understanding head injuries in kids

Children are naturally curious. They're learning to crawl, walk, run, climb, and jump, all while their sense of balance and coordination is still developing. Their heads are proportionally larger compared to their bodies, which means they're more top-heavy and prone to falls. 

Add to this their fearless nature and eagerness to try new things, and you can see why tumbles happen so often during playtime, at the playground, or even just navigating around the home. 

Toddlers are particularly vulnerable as they’re still figuring out how to walk and run. Their spatial awareness is still forming, so misjudging distances or tripping over their own feet is all part of the learning process. 

Older children might get head knocks during sports, rough play with siblings, or those moments of childhood exuberance when excitement overtakes caution. Most head injuries in children are superficial, affecting only the scalp, which may swell or bruise but doesn't harm the brain underneath. 

However, some head injuries require closer attention. Knowing the difference between a minor bump and a serious issue can help you feel more confident when caring for your child after a knock to the head.

Immediate warning signs to watch for 

There are certain signs that tell us a head injury needs urgent medical attention. 

If you notice any of these signs, please don't hesitate to bring your child for medical attention straight away: 

• Loss of consciousness, even for just a moment

• Persistent vomiting (more than once or twice)

• Severe or worsening headache that doesn't ease with rest

• Unusual drowsiness or difficulty waking them up

• Confusion, disorientation, or not recognizing people they know well

• Slurred speech or difficulty getting their words out

• Seizures or fits

• Clear fluid, watery discharge or blood leaking from their nose or ears

• Weakness or numbness in their arms or legs

• Pupils that look different sizes

• Crying that won't stop, no matter what you do (in babies and toddlers)

• A soft spot that bulges outward (in babies)

• Loss of balance or difficulty walking

If your child shows any of these signs, you should consider bringing them to the nearest Urgent Care Centre (UCC), or emergency department straight away. 

Signs that usually indicate a minor head injury 

While it’s natural to be afraid of the worst-case scenario, most  head bumps are simply minor injuries. It's still scary, but these signs suggest your child will be okay. 

Your child likely has a minor head injury if they: 

• Cried immediately after the bump but settled down quite quickly

• Have a small bump, bruise, or graze on their head

• Seem alert and are acting like themselves after the initial upset

• Can answer your questions appropriately for their age

• Haven't vomited, or only vomited once right after the injury

• Can walk and move around normally

Even with what seems like a minor bump, it's natural to feel worried in the hours and days that follow. Keep a gentle eye on your child for the next 24 to 48 hours, watching for any changes in their behaviour or alertness. Most children recover completely from minor falls, but if you notice any red flag symptoms or if your instinct tells you something isn't quite right, don't hesitate to seek medical assessment.

What to do immediately after a head injury? 

In that first moment after your child hits their head, everything can feel overwhelming. 

Here are a few simple steps that can help: 

Step 1: Stay calm

Before you do anything else, take one deep breath. Just one. Your child is looking to you right now to know if they're okay. When you're calm – even if you're just pretending to be calm – it helps them feel safer. 

Step 2: Check for immediate concerns 

As you comfort them, gently look for any of the urgent warning signs that have been mentioned earlier. You don't need to panic-check everything at once, and just observe as you hold them. If you notice anything concerning, you should seek medical help straight away. 

Step 3: Soothe the bump 

If there's swelling or a bump forming, gently apply a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in a clean cloth to the area for 10 to 20 minutes. Your child might resist at first – that's normal. You can make it easier by holding them close, telling them a story, or letting them hold their favourite toy. Never put ice directly on their skin. 

Step 4: Comfort and observe

Hold your child and let them cry if they need to. Cuddle them, rock them, and reassure them that you're here and they're going to be okay. While you're comforting them, pay attention to how they're behaving. Are they responding to you normally? Do they seem like themselves?

Step 5: Allow rest 

Once they've settled, let them rest quietly, but try to keep them awake for the first hour or two so you can monitor their alertness. This doesn't mean you need to make them run around.  Instead, just keep them gently engaged. Read together, watch something calm, or just sit close. After this initial period, they can sleep normally. A quick look to see they're behaving normally will help you rest too.

If at any point you feel uncertain, or if something just doesn't feel right, listen to that feeling. When it comes to your child's head, there's no such thing as being too careful. Your instinct to protect them is exactly what makes you a good parent. 

Monitoring your child over the next 24 to 48 hours

Sometimes, symptoms don't show up straight away. Occasionally, signs of a more significant injury can develop gradually over the hours that follow. 

 This doesn't mean you need to hover anxiously or wake them every hour through the night, but it does mean paying gentle attention to how they're doing as the day unfolds. 

You should watch for: 

• Changes in behaviour (unusually irritable, sleepy, or confused)

• Worsening headache

• Repeated vomiting

• Vision problems or sensitivity to light

• Balance or coordination issues

• Changes in sleep patterns (sleeping more than usual or difficulty waking)

Even when your child seems absolutely fine after the initial upset, it's still important to keep a watchful eye on them for at least the next 24 hours. Think of it as keeping them in your awareness rather than under surveillance. 

When to visit a UCC

Sometimes, you just need someone with professional medical training to look at your child and tell you everything's going to be okay. 

Therefore, it is recommended that you should bring your child to a UCC if: 

• You're unsure whether the injury is serious and need a professional assessment

• Your child develops any concerning symptoms in the hours after the injury

• The bump or swelling looks very large or appears in an unusual location

• Your child fall from a dangerous height (like playground equipment, furniture, or stairs)

• The injury was caused by a forceful blow rather than a simple bump

• You're feeling worried and simply want the reassurance that comes from having them checked

Healthcare professionals can assess your child properly, provide any treatment needed, and give you clear, personalised advice on what to watch for once you're back home. More importantly, they can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing you've done the right thing.

FAQ

How to know if a child's head injury is serious?

Should I let my child sleep after a head injury?

What is the first aid for a child's head injury?

What if my child vomits once or twice after hitting their head? 

What is the most common head injury in children?

How can I prevent head injuries for my children?

The information is intended for general guidance only and should not be considered medical advice. For personalised recommendations and advice based on your unique situation, please consult a specialist at Thomson Medical. Request an appointment with Thomson Medical today.