How To Tell If Toddler Has Concussion: Early Signs to Look For

After your toddler hits their head, the first step is to stay calm and check on them right away. Look for any obvious cuts or bumps. See how they are acting. Do they cry right away? Are they alert? Are they acting normal after a minute or two? What you should do next depends on these early signs. If they seem okay after a brief cry, you can often just watch them closely. But if they show signs of being unwell, or the hit was hard, you need to know what to look for. This article will help you spot the signs of head injury in young child and tell you when it’s time to get help.

How To Tell If Toddler Has Concussion
Image Source: www.luriechildrens.org

Grasping What a Concussion Is

A concussion is a mild type of brain injury. It happens when the head gets a bump or jolt. This shaking makes the brain move inside the skull. This movement can stretch and damage brain cells. Think of the brain like soft jelly in a hard bowl. If the bowl shakes fast, the jelly bumps against the sides. This is a very simple way to think about it.

Concussions are called ‘mild’ brain injuries. But this does not mean they are not serious. They can still cause problems. These problems can affect how a child thinks, feels, and acts.

Toddlers are still learning and growing fast. Their brains are still developing. This means a head bump can affect them differently than older kids or adults. Their signs might be harder to see. They cannot always tell you how they feel. This is why parents need to know how to spot toddler concussion symptoms.

Spotting Early Toddler Concussion Symptoms

Right after a head bump, some signs might show up fast. These are often the first clues that something might be wrong. It is important to know what to look for.

Here are some early signs to watch for:

Crying a lot: Most toddlers cry after hitting their head. But is the crying going on for a long time? Does it seem more than just from the pain of the bump? Unstopabble crying might be a sign.
Brief loss of being awake: Did your child stop being awake for a few seconds? Even a very short time of not being awake is a big sign.
Not acting normal: Do they seem dazed or confused? Do they look blank? Are they not reacting to you the way they usually do?
Throwing up: Throwing up right after a head bump can be a sign. It is often a sign of a concussion. Throwing up more than once is more concerning.
Looking pale: Their face might look much paler than usual.
Floppy or limp body: Do they seem weak or not able to move their body well?
Trouble keeping balance: If they were walking, do they fall down right away? Can they not stand up?
Eyes looking strange: Do their eyes move in a weird way? Are the black parts (pupils) of their eyes different sizes? This is an important sign to look for.
Feeling sleepy: Do they seem much sleepier than they should be? Do they want to just lie down and rest right away?
A bump or bruise: Is there a large bump, especially on the front or back of the head? A big bump does not always mean a concussion, but it is a sign of a hard hit.
A cut that is deep: A cut that will not stop bleeding or looks very deep needs care.

These are some of the first things you might see. Watch your child very closely in the minutes and hours right after they hit their head. These early signs of head injury in young child are your first alert.

When to Worry About Toddler Hitting Head

Many head bumps are not serious. Toddlers fall a lot. Their heads are tough. But there are times when a head bump is more worrying. Knowing when to worry about toddler hitting head is key for parents.

You should worry and seek medical help if:

The bump was from high up, like falling from a changing table or stairs.
They were hit by something moving fast or heavy.
They lost being awake, even for a very short time.
They throw up more than once.
They have a seizure (shaking they cannot control).
They have trouble waking up.
They complain of bad head pain (if they can talk).
They cannot stop crying or are very hard to calm down.
They are walking or moving in a way that is not normal for them.
You see strange eye movements or pupils that are different sizes.
There is clear fluid or blood coming from their nose or ears.
There is a soft spot that looks pushed in on their skull.
They have a big bump or bruise on the side of their head, near the ear. This area is thinner.

These are signs that the head injury might be more than just a simple bump. They could be signs of a concussion or a more serious injury.

Recognizing Toddler Head Bump Symptoms Over Time

Sometimes, the signs of a concussion do not show up right away. They can appear hours or even a day or two later. These are called delayed concussion symptoms toddler. This is why watching your child closely after a head bump is very important. You need to keep watching them for at least 48 hours.

Here are some delayed concussion symptoms toddler might show:

Changes in how they sleep: Do they sleep much more than usual? Or do they have trouble sleeping? Do they wake up often crying?
Changes in how they eat: Are they not hungry? Do they refuse to eat?
Being more upset or moody: Are they more fussy or easy to get angry? Do they cry more than usual for no clear reason?
Less interested in playing: Do they not want to play with their favorite toys? Are they not active like they usually are?
Changes in walking or moving: Are they unsteady when they walk? Do they seem clumsy?
Trouble with skills they had: Have they stopped doing things they could do before, like talking certain words or stacking blocks?
Sensitivity to light or sound: Do they seem bothered by bright lights or loud noises? Do they want to be in a dark, quiet room?
Headaches (if they can tell you): Older toddlers might point to their head or say “owie.”
Being very tired: More tired than normal tiredness from playing. This is different from the sleepiness right after the bump.

These signs can be subtle. They can also be signs of other things, like being sick or tired. But if they happen after a head bump, you should think about a concussion.

Looking for these delayed signs is a key part of watching your child after an injury. Do not stop watching just because they seemed okay at first.

Interpreting Signs of Severe Head Injury Toddler

While most head bumps are not severe, it is very important to know the signs of a serious problem. These signs mean you need medical help right away. Do not wait. Call 911 or go to the closest ER fast. These are pediatric head trauma signs that need urgent care.

Here are signs of severe head injury toddler:

Losing being awake for more than a few seconds.
Not being able to wake them up. If they are sleeping, and you cannot wake them up like you normally can, this is a major warning sign.
Having a seizure. The body shakes in a way the child cannot control.
Having trouble breathing.
Bleeding or clear fluid coming from the ears or nose.
A lot of bleeding from a cut on the head.
A spot on the head that feels soft or looks pushed in.
Eyes that do not look right. One pupil (black part) is much bigger than the other. Eyes rolling back. Eyes not moving together.
Weakness or not being able to move one side of the body.
Bad headache that does not get better (in older toddlers).
Throwing up many times.

These are signs of severe pediatric head trauma signs. They mean there might be bleeding inside the skull or a more serious injury than a concussion. You need to act fast if you see any of these.

Concussion in Babies Symptoms: What to Know

Babies are different from toddlers. They cannot walk or talk. Their heads are softer in spots (fontanelles). Head bumps in babies need very careful watching. Concussion in babies symptoms can be even harder to spot.

Signs of head injury in babies can include:

A bulging soft spot (fontanelle) on the top of the head. This is a very serious sign.
Crying that does not stop or seems very high-pitched.
Throwing up.
Eating much less than usual.
Sleeping much more than usual or trouble waking up.
Being much more fussy or easy to get angry.
Not smiling or looking at you like they normally do.
Body seeming limp or floppy.
Seizures (shaking).
Bruises or swelling, especially if large.

If a baby hits their head, even a small bump, it is often best to call their doctor or nurse line right away for advice. Babies are more fragile.

What to Do After Toddler Hits Head: Steps to Take

Okay, your toddler just bumped their head. You checked for early signs. Now what?

Here are steps for what to do after toddler hits head:

Stay Calm: This is the first and most important step. Your calm helps your child feel safe.
Check Them Over: Look for cuts, bumps, or bruises. See how they are acting right now. Did they cry right away? Are they awake and alert?
Clean and Cover Cuts: If there is a small cut, clean it gently with soap and water. Put a clean cloth or bandage on it. If the cut is deep or bleeding a lot, you might need stitches. Put pressure on it and get medical help.
Apply Cold: For a bump or bruise without a cut, gently put a cold pack wrapped in a cloth on it for 10-15 minutes. This helps reduce swelling. Do not put ice right on the skin.
Watch Them Closely: Even if they seem fine at first, you must watch them. Watch for any of the early or delayed symptoms listed above. Keep watching for at least 48 hours.
Let Them Rest: Do not let them do rough play or activities that could lead to another head bump right away. Let them rest quietly.
Wake Them If Sleeping: It is okay to let them sleep after a bump, but you need to be able to wake them up easily. Wake them every 2-3 hours for the first 24 hours. Check that they wake up and seem aware for a moment before falling back asleep. If you cannot wake them easily, this is a sign to get help fast.
Avoid Medicine: Do not give pain medicine like Tylenol or Ibuprofen right away unless a doctor tells you to. It can hide signs of a problem.
Know When to Seek Help: Use the lists of signs above. Know when to call the doctor, go to urgent care, or go to the ER.

Watching them is key. Do not leave them with someone else who does not know about the head bump during the first 48 hours. You need to be the one keeping a close eye on them.

Summarizing Toddler Head Bump Symptoms and Concerns

Let’s put together the typical toddler head bump symptoms and what they might mean.

A small bump or bruise, crying briefly, then acting totally normal: This is the most common result of a head bump. Usually, this means no serious injury. Just keep watching them for a day or two.
A bigger bump, crying more, maybe tired or a little fussy: Could be just the bump and the scare. But watch very closely for concussion signs.
Any amount of not being awake, throwing up more than once, looking dazed, strange eye movements, very hard to comfort: These are worrying signs. Likely need medical check-up. These are signs of head injury in young child that cannot be ignored.
Not waking up easily, seizures, weakness on one side, fluid from ears/nose, large dent in skull, severe headache (if they can say): These are signs of severe head injury toddler. Go to the ER fast.

Think of it like a scale. A small bump with a quick recovery is low on the scale. Losing being awake or having a seizure is high on the scale. The higher the bump is on the scale, the faster you need medical help.

When to Go to ER Toddler Head Injury

Knowing exactly when to rush to the emergency room can be hard. It is better to go and be told everything is fine than to wait when it is serious.

Go to the ER toddler head injury if you see any of these signs:

Your child lost being awake, even for a moment.
They cannot be woken up easily.
They have a seizure.
They are confused, not acting like themselves in a major way, or cannot walk or move normally after the initial crying stops.
They throw up many times.
You see blood or clear fluid coming from their ears or nose.
Their pupils (black centers of eyes) are different sizes.
There is a soft spot or dent on their skull.
They have weakness or cannot move an arm or leg.
They have a bad headache that won’t go away (if they can tell you).
They have trouble breathing.
The injury was very strong (like falling from a high place, being hit by a car).

These are the critical pediatric head trauma signs that need emergency care. Trust your gut feeling too. If something feels very wrong to you as a parent, get help.

What Happens at the Doctor or ER?

If you take your child to the doctor or ER for a head injury, the doctors will ask you questions. They will want to know:

How did the injury happen? (How high was the fall? What hit them? How hard was it?)
What happened right after the hit? (Did they cry? Lose being awake? Throw up?)
What signs have you seen since then? (Changes in how they act, sleep, eat? Any of the delayed signs?)
Do they have any other health problems?

The doctor will also check your child. They will look at how alert they are, how their eyes look and move, how they move their arms and legs, and how they respond to you. They might gently feel the head.

Sometimes, doctors might order tests.

CT scan: This is a special X-ray that takes pictures of the brain. It can show if there is bleeding or swelling inside the skull or a broken bone. CT scans are used when doctors are worried about severe injury. They are not always needed for a simple concussion diagnosis. Doctors try to avoid CT scans in kids if possible because of the radiation, but they are needed for serious concerns.
X-rays: Less common for the head itself unless a skull fracture is suspected, but might be used for other parts of the body if the child fell hard.

Most of the time, if the signs are mild and there are no serious warning signs, the doctor will talk to you about watching your child at home. They will tell you what signs mean you need to come back or go to the ER. They will give you clear instructions on watching for delayed concussion symptoms toddler.

Recovering After a Concussion

If your toddler is diagnosed with a concussion, recovery takes time. The main treatment is rest. This means resting the body and the brain.

Body Rest: No rough play, running, jumping, or sports until cleared by a doctor. Quiet play is okay.
Brain Rest: Limit screen time (TV, tablets, phones). Too much looking at screens can make symptoms worse. Encourage quiet activities like reading, drawing, or building with soft blocks.
Sleep: Make sure they get plenty of sleep. Sleep helps the brain heal. Stick to their normal sleep schedule as much as possible.
Going Back to Activities: Your doctor will tell you when it is okay for them to slowly go back to their usual activities. This is often a slow process. It is important not to rush it. Going back too fast can make symptoms last longer.

Your child’s doctor will guide you through the recovery steps. They will want to see your child again to check how they are healing.

Avoiding Head Bumps

It is impossible to stop all head bumps when you have a toddler. They are exploring and learning. But you can take steps to make severe head injuries less likely.

Use Safety Gates: At the top and bottom of stairs.
Secure Furniture: Use straps to keep tall furniture like dressers and bookshelves from tipping over.
Supervise Play: Watch your child closely on playgrounds, especially on climbing structures. Make sure the ground surface is soft (like mulch or sand).
Check Playground Equipment: Make sure it is in good shape and the ground surface is thick enough.
Car Seats: Always use the correct car seat for their size and age. Make sure it is installed correctly.
Helmets: Use helmets for activities like riding tricycles, bikes, scooters, or using balance bikes. Make sure the helmet fits right.
Keep Areas Clear: Make sure play areas at home are free of hard furniture with sharp corners. Put soft mats down if needed.

Even with all these steps, bumps will happen. The most important thing is knowing how to react and what signs to look for when they do.

Deciphering Long-Term Effects (Rare but Possible)

For most toddlers, a single concussion heals fully with no long-term problems. The brain is amazing at healing, especially in young children.

However, in very rare cases, or if a child has many concussions close together, there could be longer-term effects. These are much less common with just one mild injury.

Possible long-term effects (again, these are rare from a single concussion):

Problems with focus or attention.
Memory issues.
Changes in behavior or mood.
Headaches that keep coming back.

This is another reason why following the doctor’s advice after a concussion is so important. Proper rest helps the brain heal well.

Knowing About Second Impact Syndrome (Very Rare)

Second Impact Syndrome is a very rare but very serious problem. It happens when a child gets a second head injury before the first concussion has fully healed. Even a light second bump can cause rapid and severe brain swelling. This can be life-threatening.

This is why doctors are very careful about telling parents to keep kids from activities where they could hit their head again while recovering. It is why rest is so important. This syndrome is mostly seen in sports, but it is a good reason to be cautious with all physical play after a head injury.

Do not let your child go back to active play until the doctor says it is safe.

Pediatric Head Trauma Signs: A Quick Review

Let’s quickly review the main pediatric head trauma signs to look out for, especially the ones that mean urgent help is needed.

Needs ER Right Away:

Not being awake or trouble waking up.
Seizures.
Throwing up many times.
Fluid or blood from ears or nose.
Different sized pupils.
Weakness on one side of body.
Dent or soft spot on skull.
Very bad headache that won’t stop.
Bad fall or strong hit.

Needs Doctor Check-up Soon (within 24 hours) or Urgent Care:

Throwing up once.
Acting confused or dazed for more than a few minutes.
Trouble with balance or walking.
Big personality changes (very fussy, very tired, not interested in anything).
Signs that appear hours or a day later (delayed concussion symptoms toddler).

Can Watch at Home (but watch closely for 48 hours):

Crying for a few minutes then acting totally normal.
Small bump or bruise with no other symptoms.

This quick list helps you decide what level of care is needed based on the signs you see. Remember, when in doubt, call your doctor or seek medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can a toddler get a concussion from shaking their head hard?
A: While very forceful shaking (like in child abuse) can cause severe brain injury, a toddler shaking their head normally during play or a tantrum is very unlikely to cause a concussion. Concussions usually come from a bump or jolt to the head or body that makes the brain move rapidly inside the skull.

Q: Is it okay for my toddler to sleep after hitting their head?
A: Yes, it is okay for them to sleep. Sleep helps the brain rest and heal. However, you must be able to wake them up easily. Wake them every 2-3 hours for the first 24 hours to check that they can wake up and are aware for a moment before going back to sleep. If you cannot wake them up, get help right away.

Q: How long do toddler concussion symptoms last?
A: Most toddler concussion symptoms get better within 2-4 weeks. Some symptoms can last longer in some children. Following the doctor’s advice for rest helps speed up recovery. If symptoms last longer, your doctor might suggest seeing a specialist.

Q: Does a bump on the head that doesn’t swell mean it’s not serious?
A: Not necessarily. A bump or bruise is a sign of where the head was hit, but it does not always show how hard the brain inside was shaken. You need to watch for how the child acts, not just how the outside of the head looks. You still need to watch for toddler concussion symptoms even if there is no visible bump.

Q: What is the difference between a concussion and a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI)?
A: A concussion is actually a type of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The terms are often used to mean the same thing when talking about this kind of injury.

Q: Can toddlers hide concussion symptoms?
A: Toddlers cannot tell you how they feel, which makes it harder. They do not hide symptoms on purpose, but their signs (like fussiness or tiredness) can be unclear. This is why watching for changes in their normal behavior is so important. Looking for toddler head bump symptoms like changes in sleep, eating, play, or balance is key because they cannot tell you “my head hurts” or “I feel dizzy.”

Knowing the signs of head injury in young child, especially toddler concussion symptoms and when to worry about toddler hitting head, gives parents power. Most bumps are minor, but being ready to spot the few that are serious is what keeps your little one safe. Always talk to your doctor if you are worried.