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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU not taking him to A&E

43 replies

MummaHud · 19/08/2025 19:18

My little boy 18 months old, bashed the front of his head today and got a huge egg… he cried for about 2 minutes and then cracked on with his day, he’s eaten me out of house and home still, he’s giggling, laughing, completely his normal self.. it just looks horrible ( but it’s started to go down )

it’s been 5 hours and he’s been completely fine?

but my friend says it’s unreasonable I haven’t got him seen.

I was under the impression, as long as they’re ok, not sick, not drowsy, not inconsolable etc etc then it’s just a matter of monitoring?? I went by the NHS website…

OP posts:
Original poster
MummaHud · 19/08/2025 20:01

Bsmirched · 19/08/2025 19:43

My son had an accident with his then childminder which resulted in a fractured skull that caused a huge bump. He was never sick or drowsy and was his usual smiley self throughout.

Can I ask how you knew? I’m under the impression they wouldn’t even scan with a CAT scan with no other symptoms due to the radiation risk. The nhs website says they just observe for 4-6 hours to see if any symptoms occur and then send home for home observation for 24-48 hours and then clear?

we’ve been 6.5 hours, with no other symptoms? So what would a&e do? Put a child unnecessarily through radiation risk when his ‘egg’ is already going down?

OP posts:
Overthebow · 19/08/2025 19:52

I’m torn because I know someone whose dd had a head bump which led to her rapidly deteriorating after being fine, and she almost died. She looked fine until she wasn’t. At that age I’d now always be more cautious now just in case.

gamerchick · 19/08/2025 19:50

I wouldn't go to A&E going on what you're saying tbh OP. You know your own bairn. I'd monitor as you have been doing.

Fergie51 · 19/08/2025 19:47

At 18 months old I would definitely take your toddler to A&E. You will be seen quickly by the Paediatric team.

Bsmirched · 19/08/2025 19:43

My son had an accident with his then childminder which resulted in a fractured skull that caused a huge bump. He was never sick or drowsy and was his usual smiley self throughout.

thismumneedssun · 19/08/2025 19:42

I wouldn't go for that, they would likely just tell you to monitor for symptoms anyway. If he'd been sick, drowsy, unusually upset or quiet that would be different but you know your own child op, I'd probably just keep a close eye over the next couple of days.

BendingSpoons · 19/08/2025 19:35

Generally swelling that goes OUT is good because it's not gone in, towards the brain. I wouldn't go to A&E for this. In the absence of other symptoms, I doubt they would do much anyway.

ConfusedSloth · 19/08/2025 19:35

I have a DS with dyspraxia and a DD who'll undoubtedly play international rugby. If I took them to A&E for every head-egg then I'd live there.

Nothing you've described would really concern me. Not drowsy, not sick, didn't cry for long, usual behaviour... Heads swell - sometimes worse bumps even swell less! I think you've made the right call but, if anything changes and you are worried, head on in (no pun intended).

MiloMinderbinder925 · 19/08/2025 19:33

Take him to A&E, he may seem fine but there could be something else going on. Sometimes head injuries are slow to progress.

Gettingbysomehow · 19/08/2025 19:30

Please ring 111 for advise, I've seen the results of a slow bleed where a child has collapsed a couple of days later. I was a nurse for years. Better safe than sorry.

Original poster
MummaHud · 19/08/2025 19:29

Bsmirched · 19/08/2025 19:26

How did he bash it? There's obviously a difference between face planting concrete and bumping heads with another child.

He hit his head running in the garden, he fell against the umbrella post, which is close to concrete tbh.. but anything at impact is as bad as each other, head or concrete… I was always under the impression a head injury is more about symptoms

OP posts:
Glitterballofdreams · 19/08/2025 19:28

I’d say if it happened hours ago, and he’s been fine, there wouldn’t be much need of attending A&E. Has the bump gone down?

Bearbookagainandagain · 19/08/2025 19:27

I would also go by the NHS recommendation. I would just keep an eye on him and call if any symptoms - which I'm sure you're doing already.

verycloakanddaggers · 19/08/2025 19:27

How did it happen?

Bsmirched · 19/08/2025 19:26

How did he bash it? There's obviously a difference between face planting concrete and bumping heads with another child.

Original poster
MummaHud · 19/08/2025 19:23

ToKittyornottoKitty · 19/08/2025 19:23

Nobody on here can advise without seeing it. Have you tried 111?

No I haven’t, but again.. he has acted like nothing ever happened, just his complete self so I’ve not been concerned

OP posts:
Maddy70 · 19/08/2025 19:23

He wil be fine. If he seems happy as usual then he is. Also eggs are good. It means the head is doing its protective job

ToKittyornottoKitty · 19/08/2025 19:23

Nobody on here can advise without seeing it. Have you tried 111?