Does my Toddler have Headache?

Asking "Does my toddler have headache? is reasonable as unlike older children who will just tell you, toddlers may not be able to articulate what is happening to them. You need to be a bit of a detective and look at your toddler's behavior.

Signs of a headache in a young child include:

• furrowed brow
• grimace
• squinting the eyes
• holding the head
• not liking to be in bright lights
• not liking loud noises
• feeling miserable
• she says "my head hurts"

Sometimes toddlers can just be listless and not themselves. If this continues for any length of time it is best to have a medical review as this may mean that your child is ill.

As mentioned on the pain page, there are many causes of headache in children - read more.

In toddlers, I always like to be sure that there is not a serious cause, so if you think your infant or toddler has a headache, please see your doctor.

Serious causes of headache in toddlers include:

• meningitis, which is an infection of the covering of the brain (read more) that usually causes your child to become ill quite suddenly
• brain tumours - these can come on over time with the symptoms becoming worse with time. See your doctor if your toddler
  • has a headache and is vomiting particularly first thing in the morning or waking with a headache at night
  • has symptoms such as personality change between headaches
  • has headaches that are becoming more frequent and severe
  • headaches that start after coughing, laughing or straining

However, be reassured that even if the answer to the question "does my toddler have headache?" is "yes", it is more likely to be benign rather than a serious cause.

See your doctor urgently

See your doctor urgently if you are concerned your infant or toddler has a headache and there are any of the following:

• she has vomiting, especially in the morning
• the headache wakes her at night
• she is unsteady on her feet
• she can no longer perform tasks she had previously mastered
• she looks unwell
• she has a stiff neck
• she seems drowsy and less alert than normal when she is awake
• the headaches are becoming more severe or begin after coughing or straining
• you are worried your child isn't well

Parents are very good at knowing there is something wrong with their child so trust your instincts.