If your baby has a seizure, was knocked out for more than a minute, is hard to wake up, is not moving their neck, arms, or legs normally, or has bleeding you can't stop, call 911 now. For other signs that need a doctor or the emergency department, jump to the warning signs.

Updated September 2026: Warning signs and home-care steps revised to follow current guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and its HealthyChildren.org symptom checker.

Bumps to the head are common in babies, and most are minor. Below we walk through what to do right after a bump, which signs mean you need help right away, and how to care for your baby at home.

Steps to Take Right After Your Baby Bumps Their Head

Remain Calm and Tend to Your Little One

The first thing you want to do is take a deep breath. Your baby looks to you for reassurance, and staying calm helps you comfort them and notice how they are acting.

Check How Your Baby Is Acting

Right after the bump, notice whether your baby is awake, alert, and responding to you. Many babies cry from pain or fright and settle once you comfort them. If your baby cannot be consoled, was knocked out even briefly, or is hard to wake, get help right away (see the warning signs below).

Check for Immediate Injuries

Look at the area where your baby bumped their head. You might find a red mark, bump, or swelling. Lumps and bruising are common even with minor bumps, and the swelling can take about a week to go away. A lump larger than 1 inch (2.5 cm), or a dent in the skull, is a reason to call your doctor now.

If there is bleeding, press on it with a gauze pad or clean cloth for 10 minutes. If a cut is gaping or may need stitches, or bleeding won't stop after 10 minutes of pressure, call your doctor or seek care now. A large, deep cut needs the emergency department, and bleeding you can't stop needs 911.

Comfort Your Baby

Your touch and voice are immensely comforting. Pick your baby up and gently rock them or pat their back. Softly singing or talking can also help soothe them. If your baby was knocked out or is not moving their neck normally, do not move their head or neck; call 911.

Apply a Cold Pack

If you notice swelling or a bump, use a cold pack or ice wrapped in a wet cloth. Hold it on the swelling for 20 minutes, and repeat in 1 hour, then as needed. Never put ice directly on your baby's skin.

Know the Warning Signs

Most bumps to the head are minor, but you should know the signs of a more serious injury and what to do for each.

Call 911 now if your baby:

  • Has a seizure
  • Was knocked out (unconscious) for more than 1 minute
  • Is hard to wake up or cannot be woken
  • Is not moving their neck normally (do not move their head or neck while you wait)
  • Is not moving their arms or legs normally, or a walking toddler is suddenly unsteady
  • Is confused or has slurred speech right now (toddlers)
  • Has bleeding that won't stop with pressure
  • Is having trouble breathing or breathing unusually
  • Seems to be in a life-threatening emergency

Go to the emergency department right away if your baby (per AAP and HealthyChildren.org guidance):

  • Will not stop crying and cannot be consoled
  • Will not nurse or eat
  • Vomits repeatedly (two or more times)
  • Looks very drowsy
  • Has one pupil larger than the other
  • Is acting unusually or not like their usual self
  • Lost consciousness, even briefly
  • Had confused talking, slurred speech, unsteady walking, or weakness in the arms or legs that has since gone away
  • Has blood or clear, watery fluid coming from the nose or ears
  • Has a large, deep cut that will need many stitches

Call your doctor right away or seek care now if:

  • Your baby is under 1 year old, even without other symptoms. The pediatric symptom checker on the AAP's HealthyChildren.org site (Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines) lists this age alone as a reason to call after any head injury.
  • There is large swelling (larger than 1 inch or 2.5 cm) or a large dent in the skull
  • Your baby fell from a dangerous height
  • A cut may need stitches, or bleeding won't stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure

Monitor Your Baby

Watch your baby closely for the first 2 hours after the bump, keep them close by, and sleep in the same room the first night. Signs of a more serious injury can show up right away or in the days that follow, so keep watching for a few days.

Pay attention to how your baby is eating, sleeping, and acting. Babies can keep breastfeeding or taking formula as usual. Watch for irritability, unusual sleepiness, vomiting, or anything that is different from their usual behavior, and check it against the warning signs above.

Seek Medical Advice

You know your baby better than anyone. If your baby is under 1 year old, call your pediatrician after any head bump. At any age, if your gut feeling tells you something isn't right, it is always better to err on the side of caution and call.

If your baby has any of the warning signs above, don't wait until the next day. Act on the step listed for that sign: call 911, go to the emergency department, or call your doctor right away.

Common Questions

What if my baby falls asleep after bumping their head?

It is a common misconception that a baby shouldn't sleep after hitting their head. The AAP says there is no need to keep waking a child with a concussion unless their doctor tells you to, and that sleep can help the brain heal. If your baby was knocked out or has any warning sign, get them checked by a doctor before letting them sleep. Keep your baby close, sleeping in the same room the first night (in their own crib or bassinet, not your bed). Ask your pediatrician whether you should wake your baby to check on them. If you cannot wake your baby, call 911.

Is it normal for my baby to vomit after hitting their head?

Children often vomit once after a head injury, and this may not be a problem, but call your pediatrician for advice. Vomiting two or more times is a reason to go to the emergency department.

Can I give my baby medicine after a head injury?

Ask your pediatrician before giving any pain medicine to a baby after a head injury. The AAP says acetaminophen should not be given to children under 2 years old without a doctor's guidance, and ibuprofen should not be used in babies under 6 months unless your doctor says so. Even with your doctor's okay, don't give pain medicine until 2 hours have passed since the injury with no vomiting. Never give aspirin to children.

How can I prevent future head injuries?

Being proactive helps reduce future bumps. In the crib, lower the mattress to its lowest position before your baby learns to stand, and keep the crib bare: no toys, pillows, or bumpers. Our guide on preventing your baby from hitting their head on the crib covers this in detail.

Around the house, baby-proofing other areas of your home matters too. Furniture like coffee tables sits right at your baby's height, so cover sharp corners with corner protectors, and anchor dressers and bookcases to the wall to prevent tip-overs. You can also lock cabinets so doors can't be pulled open and climbed.

When There Is No Need to Worry

Most minor bumps to the head do not cause serious injury. If your baby is under 1 year old, call your pediatrician the same day, even if they seem fine. For an older baby or toddler who calms down quickly, acts like themselves, and shows none of the warning signs over the next few days, you can start to relax. Call your pediatrician any time you are unsure.

Don't Panic If Your Baby Bumps Their Head

Yes, it is alarming to see your baby bump their head. It is also common, since babies are still learning to move. Knowing what to do right after a bump, and which warning signs mean you need help, will help you stay calm and act quickly if you need to.

Baby-proofing your home, including covering the corners of your furniture, can help reduce head bumps. Bumps may still happen from time to time, and each time, you will know what to look for.

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Sources

This article is for general information and is not a substitute for advice from your pediatrician.

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