At a glance
- Children can have migraine or tension-type headaches. Migraine may affect both sides and include nausea or sensitivity to light and sound. A diary helps explain the pattern but cannot rule out a serious cause.
- Keep regular sleep, meals, fluids and physical activity. During an episode, a quiet dark room may help. Use only an agreed pain-treatment plan; record medicine days because frequent use can worsen headaches. Discuss recurring or disabling headaches with the clinician.
- Sudden severe headache, weakness, confusion, seizure, or fever with stiff neck needs emergency care. Progressive headaches, waking from sleep, recurrent morning vomiting or new headache after injury need prompt assessment rather than diary-only follow-up.
- Note the pattern below and bring your questions and current medicines to the visit. This record does not diagnose or choose treatment.
- This guide organizes warning signs; it cannot rule out illness. Follow the child’s clinician and local guidance.
What this can mean
Children can have migraine or tension-type headaches. Migraine may affect both sides and include nausea or sensitivity to light and sound. A diary helps explain the pattern but cannot rule out a serious cause.
Practical next steps
Keep regular sleep, meals, fluids and physical activity. During an episode, a quiet dark room may help. Use only an agreed pain-treatment plan; record medicine days because frequent use can worsen headaches. Discuss recurring or disabling headaches with the clinician.
Notice, act, reassess
- Onset, duration, location, associated symptoms, missed activities and medicine days
- Keep regular sleep, meals, fluids and physical activity. During an episode, a quiet dark room may help. Use only an agreed pain-treatment plan; record medicine days because frequent use can worsen headaches. Discuss recurring or disabling headaches with the clinician.
- Sudden severe headache, weakness, confusion, seizure, or fever with stiff neck needs emergency care. Progressive headaches, waking from sleep, recurrent morning vomiting or new headache after injury need prompt assessment rather than diary-only follow-up.
When to seek help
Sudden severe headache, weakness, confusion, seizure, or fever with stiff neck needs emergency care. Progressive headaches, waking from sleep, recurrent morning vomiting or new headache after injury need prompt assessment rather than diary-only follow-up.
Call local emergency services for severe breathing difficulty, blue/gray lips, collapse, a seizure with failure to recover, or a child who is very difficult to wake. Do not delay to complete this tool.
A baby younger than 3 months with a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher needs urgent medical assessment, even if they look well. Do not delay assessment to try medicine or complete a diary.
Prepare for the visit
Note the pattern below and bring your questions and current medicines to the visit. This record does not diagnose or choose treatment.
- Onset, duration, location, associated symptoms, missed activities and medicine days
Common questions
What does this pattern mean?
Children can have migraine or tension-type headaches. Migraine may affect both sides and include nausea or sensitivity to light and sound. A diary helps explain the pattern but cannot rule out a serious cause.
What can families do next?
Keep regular sleep, meals, fluids and physical activity. During an episode, a quiet dark room may help. Use only an agreed pain-treatment plan; record medicine days because frequent use can worsen headaches. Discuss recurring or disabling headaches with the clinician.
When should we seek medical help?
Sudden severe headache, weakness, confusion, seizure, or fever with stiff neck needs emergency care. Progressive headaches, waking from sleep, recurrent morning vomiting or new headache after injury need prompt assessment rather than diary-only follow-up.
What should I write down?
Onset, duration, location, associated symptoms, missed activities and medicine days
Sources
Written for Pedemy in our own words from the sources above; checked October 2026. For education only, not medical advice. Pedemy is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by the organizations cited.