If you answered yes to any of these questions, it is best to call your little one's pediatrician.

Call 911 IMMEDIATELY if your child is:

After a head injury, it is best to have your little one relax. Therefore, if it is naptime (or bedtime) you can let them take their nap. However, you should periodically monitor them and check to see if their limbs are twitching. You should also check to make sure they are breathing normally and do not have any abnormal color. If they do, or if your instincts are telling you that something is not right, call your little one's pediatrician. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Another thing you can do for your little one's minor head injury is to put ice on it. This will help with the swelling and pain. Putting an ice pack on the bump (the longer the ice stays on there the better) may be easier said than done. Little ones sometimes wiggle and squirm because they do not like having something on an area that is hurting. What may help is putting crushed ice in his/her favorite towel or shirt.

You can also make some color ice packs BEFORE a minor head injury occurs. Your little one may like a color ice pack better than a clear one. Just add a few of drops of food coloring to any one of the recipes below.

Here are some ways you can make your own reusable ice pack. I found these ideas at ehow.com

Flexible Gel Ice Pack
Make a flexible gel ice pack by pouring a small bottle of dishwashing liquid into a plastic, re-sealable bag. Place that bag inside a second bag to guard against leaks. Double zip and then check both seals, and place in the freezer for at least two hours. The dishwashing liquid will not solidify, but form an icy gel. You can wrap this type of ice pack around knees or elbows and secure it into place when wrapped with a cotton bandage. This is a cost-effective method. You can use the dishwashing liquid (and wash and re-use the bag) once you no longer need an ice pack. Make sure to clearly label the packet: "DO NOT EAT!" and place it out of reach of your little one.

I Need It Now Ice Pack
Grab the nearest bag of frozen fruit or vegetables for an "spur-of-the-moment" ice pack. Any type will work, but look for food with smaller pieces. For example, a bag of peas works better than a bag of broccoli. The smaller pieces make the bag more flexible and form a closer bond to the skin. Once the contents of the bag become "mushy", simply re-freeze. Store in the freezer until you need another ice pack (or a good side dish).

Disposable Diaper Ice Pack
Create a firm, custom-molded reusable ice pack by drenching a new disposable diaper with plain water. Fold and double bag the wet diaper, and then freeze it overnight. When it emerges, the ice pack will be stiff. Knead it well, and the gel granules inside the diaper will loosen enough to mold into a custom fit. If you don't have diapers, sometimes you can find single disposable diapers in vending machines.

Rubbing Alcohol Ice Pack
Construct a liquid ice pack using a 1:2 mixture of rubbing alcohol and tap water, then double-bag the mixture in resealable bags. The alcohol helps maintain the cold temperature and keeps the concoction from freezing solid. Clearly label the packet: "DO NOT EAT!" and place it out of reach of your little one. Rubbing alcohol is toxic when ingested.

Rice Ice Pack
Use rice to create a mild ice pack. Insert 1 1/2 cups of rice into a sandwich sized, plastic zip seal bag. (Any type of rice will do.) Freeze the rice for two hours. The result is a simple ice pack that feels quite cool, yet not ice cold, to the skin. This is an excellent form of cold therapy for patients who find ice pack temperatures too uncomfortable to withstand. To make a larger version, use 4 cups of rice and a gallon-sized plastic bag.

Tips

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