12/03/2026
🤕 Why is crying after a bump to the head often reassuring?
Because it usually means your child is conscious, responsive and breathing normally. Crying is a natural reaction to pain, shock and fright, and can be a good sign right after a bump.
BUT keep watching them closely afterwards for at least 24 hours. If they display any of the following symptoms take them to A&E or call 999 immediately.
If your baby or child has:
- Lost consciousness (even briefly)
- Difficulty staying awake or keeping their eyes open
- A fit (seizure)
- Fallen from a height more than 1 metre or 5 stairs
- Problems with their vision or hearing
- A black eye without direct injury to the eye
- Clear fluid coming from their ears or nose
- Bleeding from their ears or bruising behind their ears
- Numbness or weakness in part of their body
- Problems with walking, balance, understanding, speaking or writing
- Hit their head at speed, such as in a car crash, being hit by a car or bike or a diving accident
- A head wound with something inside it or a dent to the head
- Been crying more than usual (especially in babies and young children)
- Vomited since the injury
- Had a change in behaviour, like being more irritable, losing interest in things or being easily distracted (especially in children under 5)
Crying can be reassuring in the moment, but it’s what happens next that really matters.
SAVE this post so you can refer back to it later.
[Source NHS]