2 1/2 Yr Old Hit Head :(

Updated on December 13, 2012
J.S. asks from Orlando, FL
6 answers

He was playing tag with a friend in a big open room with concrete floors when his friend just grabbed him from behind and pulled him backwards. He flipped to his tummy before he hit the floor and just face planted, making a loud thud. Ugggh! He got up immediately, looked like he was in pain, and came to sit by me. He didn't cry at all and just sat there looking kind of sad. I don't know if it's because I stopped the playing or what. He then laid down for about 2 minutes. This is not like him. He didn't fall asleep or anything, just put his head down. We had planned to go to the park afterward and did and he acted perfectly fine after that. Now I'm obsessing that maybe he had or has a concussion? Does it sound like it? I guess I was in shock and he seemed perfectly fine after a good 5 minutes or so? Thanks for any input. Hate head bonks!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thank you, everyone! I talked to his pediatrician about it and he said that it probably sounded much worse than what it was and he would be very irritable and sleepy afterwards if it were a concussion. Although he was a tad drowsy he wasn't irritable at all and enjoyed playing more at the playground after a bit. THe pediatrician didn't seem too concerned. Me, on the other hand, can't stop thinking about it and don't want to let him play with other kids ever again! Just kidding, but I am a bit traumatized by it.

More Answers

J.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

my daughter got a concussion at 2 and 1/2 had all symptoms (passed out, vomited, then fell asleep) and still there was nothing that could be done except pain meds and watching her for the next 48 hours like a hawk and then making sure she took it easy (thats a laughable attempt at 2) for 2 weeks.

SO i guess what i'm saying is your kid seems completely fine and I doubt something is wrong BUT if you're going to freak out anyway J. make sure his pupils dialate with light and then J. keep an eye on him for a bit. even if he had a concussion (unless there is obviously MAJOR issues) there is nothing they can do anyway

1 mom found this helpful

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

Does not sound like a concussion.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

❤.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Poor baby. Always put a call into the advice nurse to ensure ruling out
a concussion.
I don't think it's good if they fall asleep afterwards and to not let them.
Maybe just call the advice nurse and next time it happens, put a call into
them right then.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from Redding on

I think your little one sounds fine.

I chaperoned a field trip with my daughter's class and a little girl fell off a swing on the playground. She hit her head really hard and within minutes started vomitting. She was disoriented, unable to focus or hold herself up, she was drowsy and couldn't keep her eyes open. We immediately raced back to the school where her mom was waiting to take her to the ER.

It was very scary, but I knew the signs immediately. I knew she had to be kept awake.

She definitely had a concussion and spent most of the night in the hospital. Her parents had to monitor her and keep her alert as much as possible for a couple of days after that, getting her up to go to the bathroom, etc.

Head bonks ARE frightening, but I really think your son is okay. He doesn't seem to have shown any of the classic symptoms of concussion.

Just my opinion and best wishes.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.P.

answers from Portland on

He's fine. If he'd lost consciousness, had a headache, been nauseous, dizzy, been confused, then you have reason for concern. Lying down for a few minutes is a usual way to act after having a surprising incident. His "shock" used up energy. He also needed a few minutes to process what happened.

Here is a description of concussion. http://www.aftertheinjury.org/head-injury

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

I have a 2 1/2 year old right now too. She has hit her head enough times for me to consider a helmet (just joking... sort of) a few of them had me worried enough to call the nurses hotline and get talked through all the signs/symptoms to watch for after a head injury.

One time she hit her head on concrete and threw up immediately after (I guess it was from crying, she was fine, but still scary!)
Another time she got one of those gigantic purple goose eggs on the back of her head (which are supposedly harmless but still scary)
And once she fell down the stairs and immediately seemed to need a nap afterward (just happened to be naptime, but still scary)

... and those are just the ones I called the nurses about. Anyway, here's what I've learned: when I am worried about a head injury I don't let my child fall asleep right away because then you can't monitor symptons (until bedtime, when I know I haven't seen any symptoms by then). Watch for bruising under the eyes, behind the ears. A bump is fine, a dent is NOT fine. pupils different sizes is not good. listelessless, not self, can't stay awake is not good. Throwing up more than once is not good. Incoherent speech is not good.

I'd say if your son is back to his normal self he is probably fine.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions