Bruises

Bruises are more obvious on babies and younger children because their skin is thinner. They also tend to show up more on fair-skinned children. Some children simply bruise more easily than others.

My baby has several bruises. What could have caused them?

• If your baby is a new arrival, those bruises may be a result of his recent journey. Bruises are usually nothing to worry about and heal very quickly on their own.
• If your baby is older – and especially if he's active – he's probably been banging into things or taking an occasional tumble. Minor injuries routinely happen while babies explore the world. Almost all babies, especially those who are learning to crawl or walk, wind up with a few bruises now and then.
• If your baby's in a playgroup or daycare center with other children, or you have older children at home, he may have developed bruises from being accidentally hit with a tossed toy or an errant elbow. Watch carefully the next time your baby is around other children to make sure he isn't in the line of fire too often.
• If he's in daycare and you think the bruises are excessive, talk to your provider about them. You'll never be able to prevent every bump or blow, but if there's a little bully in your baby's crowd, you can take steps to keep that child away from yours.

Of course, if your baby is in daycare or with a sitter and you have any suspicions that he's not safe, act on those concerns and don't bring your baby back until you've had them addressed. You might find our article on what to do if you suspect abuse helpful in this situation.

What's the best way to treat my baby's bruise?

Most bruises aren't painful and heal on their own within one or two weeks. There's no need to bandage a bruise if the skin isn't broken.

You can help reduce any swelling by applying an ice pack for 15-minute periods several times a day during the first 48 hours. A resealable plastic bag filled with ice cubes and water or a partially thawed package of frozen peas or corn will work if you don't have an ice pack handy.

Wrap whatever you decide to use as an ice pack in a washcloth or paper towel before you put it on your baby's skin, and try holding it in place while you feed or cuddle him or look at a book together.

If you think the bruise is painful (your baby cries out when it's touched, for example), ask your baby's doctor about giving your baby the proper dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Keep in mind that while these remedies can help with the pain and swelling, there's not much you can do for the bruising itself – except, of course, giving hugs and kisses.

When should I call the doctor?

If your baby's bruise is the result of a fall from the couch or bed or any other traumatic accident (a tumble out of the car seat, for example), call your baby's doctor. She may want to examine him for less obvious injuries.

You should also call the doctor if your baby:

• Banged his head and has a bruise behind the ear or other signs of a skull fracture
• Has a bruise that doesn't fade or go away in 14 days
• Is in pain for more than 24 hours
• Has a bruise on a large joint (knee, ankle, elbow, wrist) and is reluctant to use the joint or has difficulty moving his arm or leg
• Has a cut or abrasion and shows signs of infection, such as pus, fever, or increased pain and swelling

It would be unusual, but if your baby gets a significant bruise as a result of an injury to his lower back, talk with his doctor. She'll want to test his urine for blood, which could indicate an injury to your baby's kidneys or other organs.

Finally, frequent unexplained black-and-blue spots may mean that your child has a tendency to bleed easily. Talk with your doctor about unexplained bruises, and be sure to mention it if they're accompanied by nosebleeds or bleeding gums, which could indicate a serious medical problem.

Find out more about children’s skin conditions in our visual guide.