22 Month Old Complaining of a Headache

Updated on May 19, 2009
C.L. asks from Dublin, OH
10 answers

My daughter woke up crying last night and I just couldn't console her, which isn't normal. She said "it hurts". When I asked her to show mommy what hurts, she patted her head, so I'm assuming she had a headache. For it to be bad enough to wake her up, is this something I should be concerned about?

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J.H.

answers from Cincinnati on

My husband started getting migraines at age 2. That said, your daughter could just be a little dehydrated...the first thing pediatricians tell you to do is give them a bunch water or even gatorade and see if that helps.

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B.B.

answers from Indianapolis on

I agree with Dana in that it could be a sinus headache. There are sinus cavaties in the forhead and around the eyes and noes. If you lightly tap there, and it hurts, it's a sinus headache.

Tylenol and/or Motrin along with maybe some sudafed and/or benadryl should help too.

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K.G.

answers from Terre Haute on

it was about this time that my daughter too started having headaches. We discovered that her headaches where if fact ear infections. she couldn't feel that her ear hurt .... something due to a middle ear defect. you might have the doc d\check her ears out. With my Kris it was usually caused by the ear not equalizing the pressure right,

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J.B.

answers from Indianapolis on

I have always heard that children under the age of 5 are not susceptible to headaches (at least that's what my pediatrician told me). If she is still complaining of her head hurting, unless she has hit her head on something, I would have it checked out.

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D.T.

answers from Muncie on

Well, the weather's been horrible recently, it could have been a sinus headache. I suggest you keep an eye on her, if it happens again in reaction to cruddy weather then I would say the easiest thing to do is keep Tylenol around for her. You can try giving her a little before bed when storms are rolling in.

If it happens more often then just weather related then I suggest calling up your doctor.

Good luck.

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S.L.

answers from Columbus on

I don't mean to scare you, but it would be best to call the pediatrician's office right away to describe your daughter's symptoms. It's true that children under the age of 4 or 5 should not be getting headaches. It could be an ear infection, which, when bad enough can cause the whole side of your head to ache terribly. Whatever the problem is, no one should have to feel pain if it can be avoided. ;-)

Just call the doctor and find out if they want to see your daughter, whether the pain is still there or not.

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J.E.

answers from Indianapolis on

At this age, little ones aren't able to always exactly identify the location of pain, just the general area. It may be her ears, teeth, throat or head. Definitely worth a trip to the dr to be checked out!

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C.B.

answers from Cincinnati on

I agree that it could be an ear infection. I babysit my 2 nephews and about 2 months ago 1 of them was complaining about a headache. He is 2. He laid around all day and cried most of the day. He never showed any other signs of an earache like tugging at his ears. My brother-in-law ended up taking him to the emergency room (it was the weekend) and it was a severe ear infection deep in the canal. The doctor had to lay him down on the table to be able to see down far enough inside his ear. I hope your little one is feeling better soon.

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D.K.

answers from Indianapolis on

There are a multitude of reasons why people get headaches. 1. Chemicals & perservatives (including DYES) - anything new in the diet?
2. Dehydration - VERY SIMPLE, yet people take meds rather than address the hydration issue - RULE IT OUT
3. Mis-alignment - when your cervical spine & head are NOT properly aligned, this too may cause headaches. I know "exercises" to do to help this. I show these to clients ALL THE TIME and encourage them to take a minute or so out of their day rather than hit the meds. Your body just functions better AND you feel better too.
4. New pillow? Sometimes if a pillow is too high and the head isn't properly ALIGNED (there's that word again) while sleeping, this is why people "wake up" with headaches, sometimes. This is how I FIGURED OUT why I was waking up with one continually - now about 20 years ago. Funny thing, it wasn't new. Just that over time it pushed my head & neck out of position enough to cause a headache every morning. A simple fix......

Just things to consider. Once you've ruled these out, if it continues, THEN spend the $$ & go to the doctor to find out. "Do your homework" FIRST. They will HOPEFULLY address some of these SAME things.......AND charge you for it!

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K.W.

answers from Columbus on

Run to children's hospital er!!!! Now!!!
Not to your Ped Dr. They may dismiss your concerns.
It's well worth the extra $25 to the ER.
Let us knowhow it turns out. Many prayers to your little one.

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