Few things are more unsettling for a parent than witnessing their baby in unexplained pain. When your little one is crying inconsolably, rubbing their face, or refusing to be comforted, it’s natural for the mind to jump to the most complex possibilities. One concern that frequently surfaces in late-night internet searches is: Can babies get headaches?
This is a deeply compassionate and important question. Since infants cannot verbalize how they feel, we are left to interpret their behavioral cues—a task that can feel overwhelming even for the most seasoned caregiver. While a baby cannot articulate the specific throbbing sensation we associate with an adult headache, they absolutely feel pain and discomfort in their head and face.
The key for parents, especially here in February 2026, is moving past the fear and focusing on understanding what physical distress looks like in a very young child, and crucially, knowing when that distress requires a professional evaluation.
This guide, written from the perspective of an experienced parenting editor, aims to provide clarity, reassurance, and practical, safety-first steps for interpreting your baby’s cues and offering them comfort. We will explore how infant pain is expressed, what conditions often mimic head pain, and when the best course of action is always to call your pediatrician.
Can Babies Truly Experience Head Pain?
The short answer is yes. Babies have fully developed pain receptors. They feel pain just as intensely as adults do, sometimes even more so because their nervous systems are immature and less capable of modulating pain signals.
However, differentiating a “headache” from general head discomfort or systemic illness is nearly impossible. When an adult gets a tension headache, it is often due to muscle contraction, stress, or minor dehydration. While a baby can experience the underlying physiological triggers (muscle tension, dehydration, or illness), the resulting behavior is often generalized fussiness, irritability, or refusal to eat, rather than the specific symptom of a pulsating head.
For infants, head discomfort is typically a symptom of something else happening in their body. This underlying cause is what we need to safely identify and address.
The Challenge of Diagnosing Pain in Infants
Infants communicate discomfort primarily through changes in behavior and vocalization. This requires parents and caregivers to become expert detectives. If a baby is pulling on their ear, we suspect an ear infection. If they are arching their back, we might consider reflux. But if they are just crying intensely, focusing on their head, or showing light sensitivity, it becomes difficult to pinpoint the source.
What a parent perceives as a “headache” might actually be:
- Pressure from congestion (sinusitis or common cold).
- Pain radiating from the neck or jaw (perhaps from sleeping in an unusual position or tension).
- An elevated temperature associated with an early illness.
- General pain from a developing infection, such as an ear or throat infection.
Common Causes of Head-Related Distress in Infants
Before jumping to rare or serious conclusions, it is important to first rule out the most common, manageable causes of discomfort that frequently lead parents to ask about headaches.
1. Fever and Illness
The most frequent reason for a baby to seem generally uncomfortable, irritable, and perhaps sensitive to light or sound is a developing illness. As the body fights off a virus or infection, fever often develops. Fever frequently causes a generalized feeling of ache and unwellness, which can easily manifest as fussiness related to the head or face.
Safety Check: Always check your baby’s temperature. A fever, especially in a newborn under three months of age, requires immediate medical consultation.
2. Dehydration
Mild to moderate dehydration is a common cause of headaches in older children and adults, and it can certainly cause general distress and irritability in infants. Babies, particularly those who are ill, experiencing excessive heat in the summer months of 2026, or who have recently had vomiting or diarrhea, can become dehydrated quickly.
Monitoring for Dehydration: Watch for a sunken soft spot (fontanel), fewer wet diapers than usual (less than six in a 24-hour period), lethargy, and dry lips or mouth.
3. Tension and Overstimulation
Just like adults, babies can hold tension. Extended periods of crying, being held rigidly, or intense sensory input (loud music, bright lights, a busy shopping center) can lead to muscle tension in the head, neck, and shoulders. While not a classic headache, this physical tension can cause significant discomfort and fussiness.
4. Digestive Issues
Although seemingly unrelated, intense discomfort from gas, colic, or severe reflux can be so overwhelming that the baby’s entire body seems affected. An infant dealing with intense abdominal pain may tense up and cry so hard that they appear to be in head pain. In these situations, addressing the gut discomfort often relieves the generalized distress.
5. Teething
Many parents misinterpret the signs of teething as head pain. The intense pressure and throbbing sensation around the emerging tooth can radiate up into the jaw, cheek, and even the ear canal. This discomfort is often accompanied by increased drooling, chewing on hands, and irritability that is often worse at night.
Key Behavioral Signs of Distress in Infants
If you suspect your baby is uncomfortable, look for clusters of these behaviors rather than just one isolated symptom. These are the infant’s way of saying, “Something is wrong.”
- Inconsolable Crying: Crying that is distinct from their usual hunger or tired cry. It may be high-pitched, piercing, or continuous despite attempts to comfort.
- Lethargy or Extreme Sleepiness: A baby who is unusually difficult to wake, doesn’t react to stimulation, or struggles to stay awake to feed.
- Increased Irritability: Extreme fussiness when handled, or startling easily.
- Light or Sound Sensitivity: Turning their face away from bright lights or jumping severely at normal household noises.
- Changes in Eating or Sleep Patterns: Refusing the breast or bottle, or waking much more frequently than usual.
- Head Holding or Rubbing: While not definitive, older babies who can sit may attempt to clutch or rub their head area when in discomfort.
Recognizing Potential Red Flags: When to Seek Immediate Help
The vast majority of infant fussiness, even intense episodes, is related to common, non-serious issues like gas, hunger, or a minor cold. However, the true purpose of worrying about a “headache” is to ensure we do not miss the rare but critical underlying causes that require immediate medical attention.
If your baby exhibits any of the following symptoms, please contact your pediatrician or emergency services immediately. These signs suggest a systemic illness, neurological issue, or injury that requires professional medical assessment.
1. Acute Onset of Severe Vomiting
This is vomiting that is sudden, forceful (projectile), and persistent, often occurring without typical diarrhea or prior signs of illness.
2. High or Persistent Fever
Any fever (temperature of 100.4°F or higher) in an infant under 3 months old warrants an immediate call to the doctor. In older infants, a fever that is very high (above 104°F) or lasts longer than 72 hours should be medically evaluated.
3. Changes in Consciousness or Fontanel
A bulging soft spot (fontanel) that persists when the baby is sitting upright and is not crying may be a sign of increased pressure. Conversely, a significantly sunken fontanel is a sign of severe dehydration.
4. Stiff Neck or Extreme Pain When Moving
If you notice resistance or crying when attempting to move your baby’s head, or if they hold their neck rigidly, this is a serious symptom that requires immediate medical evaluation.
5. Recent Head Trauma
If the fussiness or irritability began after a fall, even a seemingly minor one, the baby should be seen by a healthcare provider to rule out concussion or internal injury.
Remember: When in doubt, call. Healthcare providers, especially pediatricians, are accustomed to parents calling about sudden changes in infant behavior in 2026. Trusting your gut as a parent is one of the most important tools you have.
Safe and Practical Comfort Measures for Infant Distress
If your baby is fussy, irritable, and you have ruled out the red flag symptoms mentioned above, these non-medical, editorial strategies may help soothe them and address the more common causes of discomfort.
Check the Basics First
- Temperature Check: Is the baby too hot or too cold? Adjust their clothing.
- Feeding Check: When was the last feed? Babies often mistake discomfort for hunger.
- Diaper Check: Is the diaper wet or soiled?
- Teething Check: If the baby is drooling and chewing, offer a safe, chilled teething toy.
The Comforting Techniques
Providing physical closeness and modulating the environment can sometimes resolve the discomfort:
- Carry and Movement: Rhythmic movement, such as gentle rocking, bouncing on a yoga ball, or a walk in the stroller, can be incredibly soothing. The motion may help relieve gas and certainly provides distraction and reassurance.
- Reduce Sensory Input: If the baby seems sensitive to light or sound, move them to a quiet, dimly lit room. Hold them close and speak in a low, even tone.
- A Warm Bath: A gentle, warm bath can help relax tense muscles in the neck and shoulders.
- Gentle Massage: Use light, circular motions to massage their temples, forehead, and especially the back of their neck and shoulders. If the issue is rooted in tension, this gentle touch often helps release it.
When Medications are Discussed
If you consult your healthcare provider and they determine that the fussiness is related to pain (such as from teething or a minor fever), they may recommend appropriate infant-safe pain relievers, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen (for babies six months and older). Crucially, never administer any medication, even over-the-counter options, without explicit dosing instructions from your pediatrician. Dosage is based strictly on weight, not age, and professional guidance is essential for infant safety.
Final Thoughts on Infant Health and Well-being
Parenting in 2026 involves navigating a vast sea of information, and it is easy to fall into the trap of medicalizing every cry or moment of fussiness. When considering whether your baby “has a headache,” remember that their discomfort is real, but the specific label (headache) is less important than identifying the core physiological issue—is it hunger, gas, tension, or a sign of illness?
Maintain a running mental log of what is normal for your child, and be prepared to communicate specific changes in behavior, feeding, and temperature when consulting your pediatrician. Your attention to these subtle changes is the best diagnostic tool available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it common for babies to rub their eyes and heads when fussy?
Yes, rubbing the face, eyes, and head is a very common signal of generalized distress, fatigue, or overstimulation in infants. It often indicates they are tired and struggling to self-soothe, rather than pinpointing severe head pain. Try reducing sensory input and beginning your wind-down routine.
Can tension or stress from the caregiver cause a baby to have discomfort?
While a baby won’t get a headache from your stress, they are highly attuned to their caregiver’s emotional state. Increased parental stress or anxiety can lead to a baby feeling less secure, which may result in increased fussiness, tension, and crying. Calm, consistent handling is always beneficial.
Do babies experience migraines?
Diagnosing classic migraines in non-verbal infants is challenging, but some children who later develop migraines show a phenomenon called “cyclic vomiting syndrome” (CVS) in infancy. CVS involves recurring, severe episodes of vomiting often accompanied by severe pallor, which is thought to be related to the same neurological pathways as migraines. If you see recurring, intense vomiting episodes, discuss them with your provider.
What if my baby cries after feeding? Could that be related to head pressure?
Crying immediately after or during a feed is typically related to digestive issues, such as painful gas, colic, or silent reflux (GERD). While reflux can sometimes cause pain that radiates into the head or face area, it is primarily a digestive tract issue. Keeping the baby upright after feeding may help manage this discomfort.
Can allergies cause head pain in babies?
Allergies can cause sinus congestion and inflammation, which lead to pressure around the face and head, potentially resulting in discomfort. If your baby has persistent nasal symptoms, coughing, or skin rashes alongside fussiness, discuss the possibility of allergies or sensitivities (such as to cow’s milk protein) with your pediatrician.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. If you have concerns about your baby’s health, sudden behavioral changes, or development, please consult your pediatrician or a licensed healthcare provider immediately. Always prioritize professional medical guidance for infant care.