Baby’s Soft Spot – The Fontanelle

Sometimes scary, the fontanels are a reminder just how ‘new’ baby is! Find out what you need to know right here.

What’s a tad bit softer than a baby’s behind? ; The top of a baby’s head. Nothing is more kissable and at the same time strikes more trepidation in the heart of a new mother. New moms are often fearful of touching the top of their baby’s head. They fear they may harm him or her. Newborns are born with a soft spot on the very top of their heads. The soft spot which are surrounded by bone is the fontanel.

The fontanels, while soft to the touch, are made of very fibrous material. This fibrous material lies between the top of your baby’s head and his brain. There are two fontanels which are located, one at the back and lower part of the head, and one at the top. They are the posterior and anterior fontanels. Though you are well advised to be careful of the soft spot, it is sturdier than one might think. The purpose of the fontanels is to protect the baby’s brain.

Your baby’s head is comprised of several bones. When your baby arrives the bones are not yet fused. His little head is designed in this way to make it easier on him and his mom during birth. The soft spots allow the baby to easily move through the birth canal, and to be delivered without too much trauma to mom. If it were not for the soft spot on top of your baby’s head, your hips would have to be much wider to accommodate birth (thank-you fontanels).
A baby’s center of gravity is in their heads. You will notice as a toddler learns to walk he often leads with his head. In other words, a toddler is somewhat top heavy. He will fall on his head from time to time. The fontanels protect babies from the little mishaps that may occur (little mishaps). A fully developed skull would otherwise sustain fractures. Eventually, the skull bones in a healthy baby will fuse together. This usually happens between 12 and 18 months.

The size of a baby’s fontanels varies. However, an excessively large fontanel may be indicative of an undesired medical condition. Your child’s pediatrician will examine your baby’s skull during his first visit. Every baby’s head is measured. So, when the health professional measures the circumference of your baby’s head, this is not cause for alarm.

Your healthcare professional will make the determination as to whether the fontanel is too large. If this is the case, you will be asked to answer a series of questions, which include health history. The pediatrician will also ask about any observable symptoms. If there is reason for concern, the doctor will possibly order blood tests, a CT scan or an ultrasound of the baby’s scull. If your baby has a medical condition which should be addressed, it will more than likely be found early.

What is abnormal is; if the baby’s fontanel is sunken or bulging. A sunken fontanel indicates possible dehydration. A fontanel which is bulging may signify the possibility of pressure on the baby’s brain. Your baby’s nurse, and or her pediatrician are your best resource for determining the health and wellness of your baby. Your child’s health professional is equipped to answer any of your health concerns.