Ask the Pediatrician: What to do if your infant or toddler hits their head

Just like older kids, babies and toddlers can get concussions. In fact, little ones face some extra risks. But it can sometimes be harder to recognize the signs of concussion, a type of mild traumatic brain injury, in infants and toddlers. They may not have the language skills yet to tell you how they feel.

The impact from a bump, blow or jolt to the head or a hit to the body causes the head to move quickly back and forth. This sudden, back-and-forth impact causes the brain to twist inside the skull and stretch the brain cells. Chemical changes happen that temporarily disrupt normal brain function.