Key takeaways: Caput succedaneum is soft scalp swelling that crosses the skull seams and fades in days. Cephalohematoma is a firmer collection of blood under the outer covering of a skull bone that takes weeks to months to resolve and can increase jaundice. Rarely, swelling signals a more serious bleed.
Pressure during birth can cause swelling on a baby’s head. Most of these bumps are harmless and go away on their own.
Caput Succedaneum
What it is: swelling of the soft tissue of the scalp from pressure during labor, especially a long labor or vacuum-assisted birth.
What it looks like:
- Soft, puffy swelling present at birth.
- May cross the suture lines (the seams between skull bones).
- May have some bruising.
How long it lasts: usually a few days.
Cephalohematoma
What it is: a collection of blood between a skull bone and its outer covering (periosteum). It’s more common after vacuum or forceps births.
What it looks like:
- A firm bump, usually on one side of the head.
- Doesn’t cross the suture lines.
- May not be obvious until hours or a day after birth.
How long it lasts: weeks to a few months. Sometimes the edges harden as it heals, which can feel like a ridge. It almost always resolves on its own.
Why it matters: as the blood breaks down, it releases bilirubin, which can increase jaundice. Your baby’s care team will monitor bilirubin closely.
Subgaleal Hemorrhage: A Rare Emergency
A subgaleal hemorrhage is bleeding in a larger space under the scalp. It’s rare but serious, because a large amount of blood can collect there. It’s more common after vacuum-assisted births. Signs include:
- Swelling that spreads across the head, to the forehead, or around the ears.
- A boggy feel to the scalp.
- Increasing head size.
- Paleness, fast heart rate, or lethargy.
Hospitals monitor babies closely after vacuum births for this reason.
Care at Home
- No treatment is needed for caput or most cephalohematomas.
- Don’t try to drain or massage the bump.
- Watch for jaundice and keep follow-up appointments.
Call your baby’s doctor if: the swelling gets larger, your baby looks more yellow, is very sleepy, or isn’t feeding well. Seek emergency care for rapidly spreading swelling, pale skin, limpness, or trouble breathing.
The Bottom Line
Most bumps on a newborn’s head are harmless and resolve on their own. Cephalohematomas can increase jaundice, so keep follow-up visits. Rapidly growing swelling needs urgent care.
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Sources
- Lewis ML. A comprehensive newborn exam: part I. General, head and neck, cardiopulmonary. Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(5):289-296.
- Kemper AR, Newman TB, Slaughter JL, et al. Clinical practice guideline revision: management of hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn infant 35 or more weeks of gestation. Pediatrics. 2022;150(3):e2022058859.
- Colditz MJ, Lai MM, Cartwright DW, Colditz PB. Subgaleal haemorrhage in the newborn: a call for early diagnosis and aggressive management. J Paediatr Child Health. 2015;51(2):140-146.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Practice Bulletin No. 219: Operative vaginal birth. Obstet Gynecol. 2020;135(4):e149-e159.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always talk with your baby’s health care provider or your own provider about your specific situation. If you think your baby or you may have a medical emergency, call 911.
