Key takeaways: Most minor cuts and scrapes can be cared for at home. Apply gentle pressure to stop bleeding, rinse with clean water, and cover with a bandage if needed (watching that your baby doesn’t put it in their mouth). Cuts that gape, are deep, won’t stop bleeding after 10 minutes of pressure, or are on the face may need stitches.
As babies start crawling and pulling up, minor injuries happen.
Stopping Bleeding
- Apply firm, gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze for about 10 minutes without peeking.
- Raise the area if possible.
Cleaning
- Rinse with clean, running water.
- Gently remove dirt.
- Soap around the wound is fine; avoid harsh products like hydrogen peroxide or alcohol in the wound.
Covering
- Use a bandage for cuts that may get dirty.
- Watch babies closely with bandages, which are a choking hazard if pulled off.
- Petroleum jelly can keep wounds moist and help healing.
From the author
From First Breath to First Birthday is my month-by-month guide to your baby’s first year, written as a NICU and postpartum nurse. My book covers common first-year illnesses and the warning signs that mean it’s time to call the doctor, explained the way I’d explain them at the bedside.
When a Cut Needs Medical Care
- Bleeding doesn’t stop after 10 minutes of pressure.
- The cut is deep, gaping, or longer than about half an inch.
- The cut is on the face, lips, eyelids, or a joint.
- There’s something stuck in the wound.
- It was caused by an animal or human bite.
- It was caused by a dirty or rusty object, especially if vaccines aren’t up to date.
Stitches or skin glue work best when done within several hours.
Signs of Infection
- Increasing redness, swelling, or warmth.
- Pus.
- Red streaks spreading.
- Fever.
Call 911 for: bleeding that won’t stop, spurting blood, or a baby who becomes pale, sleepy, or unresponsive.
Mouth Injuries
Cuts inside the mouth bleed a lot but often heal quickly. Apply pressure with gauze. Call your doctor if bleeding doesn’t stop or a tooth is damaged.
The Bottom Line
Press, rinse, and cover minor cuts. Get care for deep, gaping, or facial cuts and any signs of infection.
Want more support for your baby’s first year? My book, From First Breath to First Birthday, is available on Amazon.
Related Articles
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- Baby Nail Care: Trimming Tiny Nails Without Tears
- Sore Nipples: What’s Normal, What Isn’t, and How to Heal
Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Cuts and scrapes: how to care for them. HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org
- American Academy of Dermatology. How to treat minor cuts. https://www.aad.org
- National Library of Medicine. Cuts and puncture wounds. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.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.
