Baby Has a Cut or Bleeding Wound
The short answer
Minor cuts and scrapes are a normal part of childhood. For most small cuts: apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth for 5-10 minutes to stop the bleeding, clean the wound with lukewarm water, apply antibiotic ointment, and cover with a bandage. Most minor cuts heal well without stitches. A cut may need stitches (or skin glue) if it is deeper than 1/4 inch, will not stop bleeding after 10 minutes of pressure, is gaping open, is on the face, or was caused by a dirty or rusty object. If stitches are needed, they work best when placed within 6-8 hours of the injury.
By Age
What to expect by age
Baby skin is delicate and can be cut by sharp nails (their own or a sibling's), toys, or household items. For minor cuts: clean gently with lukewarm water, apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment (like bacitracin), and cover with a bandage if the baby will not pull it off. Watch for signs of infection over the next few days: increasing redness, swelling, warmth, pus, or red streaks. Any cut on a baby under 3 months or any deep cut on a baby should be seen by a doctor promptly.
Toddlers get cuts from falls, sharp furniture edges, kitchen items, and outdoor play. Most cuts can be managed at home with basic first aid. For cuts that are bleeding: apply firm, direct pressure with a clean cloth for 10 minutes without peeking. Once bleeding stops, clean with water (not hydrogen peroxide, which damages healing tissue), apply antibiotic ointment, and bandage. Change the bandage daily. A cut may need medical attention if it is deep, gaping, on the face (where scarring matters), was caused by an animal bite, or if your child's tetanus vaccination is not up to date.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- A small superficial cut or scrape that stops bleeding within 5-10 minutes
- Mild redness around a healing cut for the first 1-2 days
- A scab forming and healing naturally over 1-2 weeks
- A cut that needed home first aid and you want to confirm it is healing properly
- You are unsure if a cut needs stitches
- Your child has not had their tetanus vaccination and gets a cut from a dirty or rusty object
- A cut is not healing well after a week
- Bleeding that does not stop after 10-15 minutes of firm, direct pressure
- A deep cut that is gaping open (likely needs stitches or skin glue)
- A cut on the face that may need repair for cosmetic reasons
- Signs of wound infection: increasing redness, swelling, warmth, pus, red streaks, or fever
- A cut from an animal or human bite
- A puncture wound from a nail or sharp object
Sources
Related Resources
Related Medical Concerns
Baby Has a Bruise That Won't Go Away
Most bruises in toddlers are completely normal and result from the bumps and tumbles of learning to walk and play. A typical bruise goes through a color cycle (red to blue/purple to green/yellow) and resolves within 2-3 weeks. Bruises on the shins, knees, and forehead are very common in active toddlers. However, bruises in unusual locations (torso, back, ears, neck), bruises in pre-mobile babies, or easy/excessive bruising may need medical evaluation to rule out bleeding disorders or other concerns.
Baby or Toddler Fell Down the Stairs
Falls down stairs are a common injury in babies and toddlers. Most stair falls, especially from just a few steps, do not result in serious injury. However, any fall down stairs warrants careful observation. After a fall, check your child from head to toe for signs of injury. If your child cried immediately, is consolable, is moving all limbs normally, and has no visible signs of serious injury, observe them closely for 24-48 hours. Any fall from a significant height, loss of consciousness, persistent vomiting, excessive sleepiness, or signs of a broken bone require immediate medical evaluation.
Essential First Aid Kit for Baby and Toddler
Every family with a baby or toddler should have a well-stocked first aid kit. Essential items include: a digital rectal thermometer (most accurate for babies), infant acetaminophen (Tylenol), infant ibuprofen (for 6 months+), saline nasal drops, a nasal aspirator/NoseFrida, antibiotic ointment (bacitracin), petroleum jelly, hydrocortisone cream (1%), adhesive bandages, gauze and medical tape, a dosing syringe (not a kitchen spoon), Poison Control number (1-800-222-1222), and your pediatrician's after-hours number. Keep medications locked away from children and check expiration dates regularly.
Baby or Toddler Bitten by an Animal
Animal bites in children should always be taken seriously because of the risk of infection and, in some cases, rabies. Dog bites are the most common animal bite in children, followed by cat bites. For any animal bite: wash the wound immediately with soap and running water for at least 5 minutes, then seek medical attention. Cat bites are more likely to become infected than dog bites because cat teeth are thin and create deep puncture wounds. Your pediatrician will determine if antibiotics, a tetanus booster, or rabies prophylaxis is needed based on the type of animal and circumstances of the bite.
My Baby's Head Shape Looks Abnormal
Many babies develop temporary head shape irregularities that are completely normal. A cone-shaped head from vaginal delivery reshapes within days. Mild positional flattening (plagiocephaly) from sleeping on the back is very common and usually improves with repositioning and tummy time. However, head shape changes involving ridges, a persistently bulging fontanelle, or rapid head growth changes should be evaluated to rule out craniosynostosis.
I'm Worried About Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)
Amblyopia (lazy eye) is the most common cause of vision loss in children, affecting about 2-3% of kids. It occurs when one eye develops weaker vision because the brain favors the other eye. The tricky part is that amblyopia often has no obvious outward signs - the eye usually looks normal. Early detection through routine vision screening is critical because treatment is most effective in the first few years of life.