A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. It disrupts normal brain function, even without a visible wound or loss of consciousness.
About 80 percent of concussions will have the person appear as if they are alright. But when it comes to your child, it’s important to observe their behavior for any signs that show their injury is more serious.
Many parents ask: should a parent wake up a child after a concussion? You may be in a panic and not want your child to sleep after a concussion. But the fact is, your child needs to sleep to heal and feel better. Your next question may be: how often do you wake up a child with a concussion? Village Emergency Centers is here to answer that question and more.
Normal Symptoms After A Concussion
Children’s brains are still developing. This makes them more vulnerable to the effects of a head injury than adults.
The following are common symptoms found in patients after a concussion. These are normal and should subside within a few weeks.
- Sensitive to light and noise
- Dizziness, trouble balancing
- Lack of energy
- Headaches
- Nausea (in the beginning)
- Trouble seeing clearly
- Trouble concentrating
- Sleep irregularities
- Irritability
- Memory loss
Keep in mind that symptoms don’t always appear right away. Some may develop hours or even up to 48 hours after the initial injury. This is why monitoring your child closely during this window is so important.
What to Do After a Concussion Diagnosis
The first 24 to 48 hours after a concussion are critical.
It’s important for your child to get as much rest as possible for the first 24 hours after a concussion. You don’t have to wake your child up every couple of hours unless you are otherwise instructed by your doctor.
It is also important to note that your child needs rest from anything that might be harmful to their recovery, such as noise, light, and other things that will affect their vision.
However, it is perfectly okay to check on them while they’re sleeping throughout the night. You should check that their breathing is normal, not too fast, not too slow. Also watch for moaning and vomiting. Any of these symptoms signal that your child may be experiencing something more serious than a concussion.
Managing Screen Time and Stimulation
Limit their reading, time spent watching television, and playing video games. Also avoid exposing your child to bright lights, loud noises, and crowds. All of these can worsen post-concussion symptoms.
Screen time, including smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles, places extra cognitive demand on a healing brain. Keep all screen use minimal during the first 48 to 72 hours.
A concussion comes with symptoms that take time to disappear. You wouldn’t want to do anything that makes them persist. But there is no need to panic as long as you keep a watchful eye on your child’s recovery process.
Rest Does Not Mean Total Isolation
Complete bed rest in a dark room is no longer the standard recommendation. Light, calm activities, like quiet conversation, coloring, or gentle walks, are generally fine after the first day or two.
The goal is to avoid anything that strains the brain or body. Allow your child to ease back into their routine gradually and only as symptoms improve.
Managing School Return
Most children can return to school within a few days. They don’t need to be fully symptom-free to go back. However, they should be able to tolerate light activity for 30 to 40 minutes before needing a break.
Talk to your child’s school about temporary accommodations, reduced workload, extra time on tasks, or quiet spaces to rest when needed.
Warning Signs a Concussion is Not Improving
These are telltale signs that your child’s concussion may not be improving. Seek medical attention immediately if your child:
- Is less alert, has trouble waking up, or doesn’t wake up
- Has no appetite
- Has blood present in the nose or ears
- Has bruising around the eyes
- Has slurred speech or trouble speaking
- Experiences vision loss, blurry, or double vision
- Vomits more than twice
- Has a seizure
- Loses a previously mastered skill (such as wetting the bed)
- Shows weakness on one side of the body
These warning signs may point to a more serious brain injury, such as a cerebral hemorrhage or intracranial swelling. Do not wait to seek care if any of these appear. Call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room right away.
How to Prevent Another Concussion
Patients that experienced a concussion are more likely to have another one in the near future. It is critical to avoid another concussion as much as possible as it could result in serious damage.
It is also important to note that a second concussion during the healing process could cause serious brain trauma. This is called Second Impact Syndrome, and it can be life-threatening.
This is the time to keep your child’s routine as simple as possible. The best ways to prevent another concussion from happening:
Sports and Physical Activities
- Ensure that the sports teams your child is part of have rules that restrict the amount of tackling or unnecessary contact of the head with the ball, such as in soccer.
- Have your child wear a properly fitted helmet for any high-risk physical activities, such as skiing, biking, skateboarding, or rollerblading.
- Helmets reduce the force of impact significantly. Make sure they fit well and are in good condition.
Low-Risk Activities During Recovery
- Your child should engage in low-risk activities such as drawing, playing with toys, and reading, if there are no troubling vision symptoms.
- Avoid rough play, contact sports, and any activity where a fall or collision is possible until your doctor gives full medical clearance.
When to Return to Sports
Return-to-sport decisions should always involve your child’s healthcare provider. A general return-to-play protocol involves a gradual stepwise process, each stage taking at least 24 hours. If symptoms return at any stage, stop and rest before trying again.
Never let your child return to sports on the same day as their head injury. No game is more important than your child’s brain.
Frequently Ask Questions
If You Need to Stop By an ER
Stop at any of our two locations if your child is not feeling well after a concussion.
At Village Emergency Centers, we understand there is much more to the treatment of concussions, and our team is here to help.
If you are asking yourself, “How often should I wake my child after a concussion?” or need expert care, visit us for ER service for concussion at one of our convenient locations in Jersey Village or League City.
Not sure if it’s an emergency? It’s always better to be safe. Head injuries in children, even mild ones, deserve professional evaluation. Our qualified team is more than happy to answer any questions you may have and provide the care your child needs.
Contact Village Emergency Centers today, we’re here 24/7.