Babysitting: Dealing With Nosebleeds
Nosebleeds mostly happen in the winter when the air is dry, though kids sometimes get nosebleeds after an injury or because of a medication. Nosebleeds can be scary, but kids get them a lot. Most will stop on their own and usually aren’t serious.
What to Do
If a child has a nosebleed:
- Sit the child up with the head tilted slightly forward. Do not have the child lean back (this may cause gagging, coughing, or vomiting).
- Pinch the soft part of the nose just below the bony part. Pinch for 10 minutes at a time.
Call the doctor if a child has a nosebleed that:
- will not stop bleeding after pinching the child’s nose twice for a full 10 minutes each time
- makes the child dizzy or pale
- is caused by something put inside the child’s nose
Call 911 if:
- a child has a nosebleed after a serious fall or head injury
Contact the child’s parents after you’ve called for help.
To help prevent nosebleeds:
- Tell kids to not pick their noses.
- Ask the parent(s) about using a humidifier during naps and bedtime.
- Ask the parent(s) if the child has nosebleeds often and what triggers them.
Reviewed by: Kate M. Cronan, MD
Date reviewed: April 2013
