Key takeaways: Most bumps on the head are minor. Babies under 2 need more caution, especially those under 6 months. Seek emergency care if your baby lost consciousness, vomits repeatedly, is unusually sleepy or irritable, has a soft swelling on the side or back of the head, isn’t acting normally, or fell from higher than about 3 feet. Call your doctor for any fall in a young baby.
Babies roll off beds, tumble from furniture, and bump their heads as they learn to move. Most head bumps are minor, but some need care.
What’s Usually Minor
- A brief cry, then your baby acts normally.
- A small bump (“goose egg”) on the forehead.
- Normal feeding, alertness, and behavior.
Warning Signs That Need Emergency Care
Research such as the PECARN study, which developed rules doctors use to assess head injuries in children, looked at factors linked to serious injury in children under 2. Seek emergency care if your baby:
- Lost consciousness, even briefly.
- Vomits more than once.
- Is unusually sleepy, hard to wake, or very irritable.
- Isn’t acting normally, according to you.
- Has a large or soft swelling, especially on the side or back of the head.
- Fell from a height of more than about 3 feet, or was in a serious accident.
- Has a bulging soft spot.
- Has clear fluid or blood from the nose or ears.
- Has a seizure.
- Has unequal pupils or isn’t moving arms or legs normally.
Call 911 if your baby: is unresponsive, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or is bleeding heavily.
Young Babies
Babies under 6 months are more vulnerable, and signs of injury can be subtle. Call your pediatrician for any fall in a young baby, even if they seem fine.
Watching at Home
- Watch your baby closely for 24 hours.
- It’s okay to let your baby sleep. If you’re concerned, check that your baby wakes and responds normally.
- Call your doctor for any changes.
Preventing Falls
- Never leave a baby alone on a bed, couch, or changing table.
- Keep car seats and bouncers on the floor, not on tables or counters.
- Use stair gates.
- Avoid baby walkers.
- Use straps in high chairs, strollers, and shopping carts.
The Bottom Line
Most head bumps are minor. Know the warning signs and seek care right away if any appear, and call for any fall in a young baby.
Want more support for your baby’s first year? My book, From First Breath to First Birthday, is available on Amazon.
Sources
- Kuppermann N, Holmes JF, Dayan PS, et al. Identification of children at very low risk of clinically-important brain injuries after head trauma: a prospective cohort study. Lancet. 2009;374(9696):1160-1170.
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Head injury in children. HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fall prevention for children. https://www.cdc.gov
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.
