Caring For Your Child After A Head Injury

This information is based on the Starship advice sheet for parents and whānau covering how to care for your child after a minor head injury. This information only applies after your child has seen a doctor and has been cleared to go home. 

Key points about caring for your child after a head injury 

• head injuries are common in tamariki and rarely cause any serious problems
• if your child has had a bump to their head take them to see a doctor
• let your child rest so their brain can rest and recover
• keep a close eye on your child after their head injury and seek help if they have concerning symptoms 
• most tamariki will recover quickly from a mild head injury 
• if your child has ongoing symptoms or their symptoms are worsening, take them to see a doctor

What is a head injury?

A head injury can be an injury to the scalp, skull or brain. How a head injury affects your child depends on the type of injury and how serious it is.

What happens after a head injury?

First 24 hours after a head injury

Once the doctor has cleared your child to go home, it is important to monitor their health closely. There is a very small change of a serious complication happening during this time.

From 24 to 48 hours after a head injury 

Let your child rest so their brain has time to rest and recover.

During this time stop them from watching TV for long periods. 

Stop them from using mobile phones and electronic devices.

From 48 hours onwards

Most tamariki will return to normal from 3 to 4 days after their head injury.

If they have ongoing symptoms take them back to the doctor for review.

What should I watch out for after my child has had a head injury?

After your child has been seen by the doctor and cleared to go home, it is important to continue monitoring their health. 

Call an ambulance

Call 111 for an ambulance immediately if:

• you CANNOT WAKE your child
• your child has jerking movements of their arms, legs or face
• you are very worried about your child 

See a doctor today

It is important for your child to see the doctor today if they have any of the following:

• drowsiness or difficulty waking
• vomiting more than once (after they’ve seen the doctor)
• severe headache that isn’t getting better with pain relief
• confusion 
• strange behaviour
• irritability
• slurred speech
• blurred vision
• a change in the way they walk or use their arms or legs

Even though your child has already seen a doctor, if they have any of the above signs or symptoms, take them back to see the doctor again. 

Call Healthline free on 0800 611 116

If you have any questions about your child after their head injury, you can call Healthline free on 0800 611 116. 

How can I care for my child at home after a head injury?

Once the doctor is happy for your child to go home, it is important that you continue to monitor them closely. Here are some things you can do to help them while they recover at home. 

Sleep

Your child may want to sleep more than usual after a head injury, this is normal. 

Let your child rest when they are tired. 

If taking your child home from the doctor's clinic at night, you can let them sleep. 

If you take your child home from the doctors during the day and they want to sleep, wake your child after 2 hours.

Young tamariki may need extra rest periods for a few days after a head injury

Discomfort

The doctor will advise you on pain relief for your child if they have a headache.

Pain relief can help keep your child comfortable as head injuries can be painful.

Paracetamol and Ibuprofen are safe for headaches and will not hide serious symptoms. 

Paracetamol

If your child has pain, you can give paracetamol to make them more comfortable. You must follow the dosage instructions on the bottle. It is dangerous to give more than the recommended dose.

Other medicine

If your doctor gives your child ibuprofen (such as Nurofen or Fenpaed), follow the dosage instructions carefully. It is dangerous to give more than the recommended dose.

Never give your child aspirin as this may increase the risk of Reye syndrome, which is a rare and serious illness.

Play and activity

Until your child is fully recovered, they should avoid rough sports or any activities that could lead to them hitting their head. 

Your child should rest from exercise and very active play for 2 days after a head injury.

They can gradually increase their activity levels if it doesn’t worsen their symptoms.

Your child may find it hard to focus for the first few days after a head injury, this is normal.

Younger tamariki need to be watched more carefully as they can be unsteady on their feet and are at risk of falling over. 

Childcare 

Your child should have 1 to 2 days off school or pre-school after their head injury.

Once they return, let their teachers and caregivers know about the injury.

What can I expect in the days after my child’s head injury?

For a few days after a head injury, some tamariki may have symptoms of concussion.

These symptoms include:

• feeling unsteady or dizzy
• getting tired quicker than usual
• not feeling like playing for long
• not feeling like doing schoolwork or homework
• irritability and grumpiness
• needing more sleep than usual
• mild headache (that should improve with Paracetamol)
• not liking loud noises

These symptoms should reduce and improve over a few days.

Will my child get concussion?

If your child has some of the above symptoms and they do not improve after a few days, they may have a concussion. Concussion is a type of brain injury that can take longer to recover. 

If your child’s symptoms get worse, or they last for more than 1 week, take your child to see the doctor for review. 

See the KidsHealth section on brain injury for more information.