Infants and Toddlers Experience Injury or Trauma

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This information page is for anyone involved in the life of an infant or toddler who has experienced a violent injury or traumatic event. This includes parents, health care providers, teachers, clergy or others who are in a position to help the infant or toddler and his or her family adjust after the event, or refer them for help if the need arises. When a child experiences a violent injury or trauma, it is not unusual for them to have reactions to the violent or traumatic event. Others such as those close to the child or close by when the event occurred can also react negatively to the event. These negative reactions do not always appear right after the event, but can take days or weeks to appear. Following are some tips on how you can help limit the negative impact of a violent injury or trauma for an infant or toddler. Symptoms to watch out for that might indicate that a child or others may need help in dealing with the experience are also listed on the back of this sheet. Finally, resources are presented that can be used to help deal with negative reactions to violent injury or trauma.

Things you can do to limit the negative impact:

  • Maintain normal routine.
  • Soothe the child's fears (holding, rocking, stroking, singing to child).
  • Avoid unnecessary separations.
  • Remain calm in child's presence.
  • Protect the child from reminders of trauma.
  • Expect child to revert back to old behaviors.
  • Talk with child about trauma (using simple terms for short periods of time).
  • Give child play props related to trauma (doctor's kit, toy ambulance, toy dog, etc.).

Symptoms to watch for: You may see signs and symptoms after an infant or child has experienced a traumatic event. These can be seen in his or her behavior, thinking, feelings, and physical sensations. Following are examples of these signs and symptoms:

Behaviors

  • Aggression (hitting, biting)
  • Whining
  • Clinging
  • Crying/fussiness/feeling sad or crying more often
  • Lack of usual responsiveness (quiet, withdrawn)
  • Easily startled
  • Hyper sense of alertness
  • Sleep disruption or increased sleep
  • Eating problems
  • Toileting accidents
  • Temper tantrums
  • Loss of acquired language and self-care skills
  • Rocking back and forth
  • Head banging

Feelings

  • Fearful
  • Anxious about separating from primary caregivers

    • Thoughts

    • Negative attitude

    Bodily Sensations

    • Sudden "freezing" of body motion
    • Avoids or reacts to sensory reminders of trauma

    Resources

  • Community centers
  • Community mental health centers
  • Social service agencies dealing with youth
  • Community organization dealing with violence prevention
  • School social workers, counselors, psychologists, nurses, educators
  • Family physician; hospital staff
  • Clergy

    • Reference

    Children and Trauma: A Guide for Parents and Professionals, 1993, by Cynthia Monahon. (Jossey-Bass Publishers: San Fransisco, CA)

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