Babies are born with several soft spots on their bodies, and soft spots on the baby’s head are one of them. Most parents are unaware of the fact that babies can have soft spots on the top of their heads. Especially new parents who can’t recognize the diamond or kite-shaped soft spots on the head called anterior fontanel. And another is on the back side of the head in a triangular position, called posterior fontanel.
In this article, we will discuss the soft spots on babies, their causes, and other concerns. So, new parents can safely handle their babies without any harm.
In This Article
- What Are the Soft Spots on Baby’s Head and Where Do They Occur?
- Reasons For Soft Spots on Baby’s Head
- When Do Soft Spots on Baby’s Head Close or Go Away?
- What Happens if You Touch The Soft Spots on Baby’s Head?
- What Does it Mean When Soft Spot on Baby’s Head is Pulsating?
- Top 5 Causes of Sunken Soft Spot on Baby’s Head
- What Should be Done If Your Baby Hits His Soft Spot?
- When Should You be Concerned the Soft Spots on Baby’s Head?
- FAQ’s
What Are the Soft Spots on Baby’s Head and Where Do They Occur?
Babies are born with two soft spots or fontanel:
- One big spot in the front section is called anterior fontanel.
- Another is on the back side called posterior fontanel.
Immature skull bones in these areas cause soft spots. When the skull has not completely closed at birth, it causes this condition.
Reasons For Soft Spots on Baby’s Head
The Soft spots on the baby’s head are a vital factor in the baby’s wellbeing.
The gap in the skull makes the baby’s birth canal development journey much easier allowing the head to change its shape. You may have seen babies with cone-shaped heads. But the soft spot in the skull makes it return to its normal state after birth.
Secondly, these soft spots in the baby’s head enable brain growth and development during the first year of the baby’s life. It’s the initial year when the baby’s brain grows fast and requires room to grow better. So, once the soft spot closes, the skull cannot expand or stretch.
[Read : Cone Shaped Head In Newborn Babies]
When Do Soft Spots on Baby’s Head Close or Go Away?
The fronter soft spot or anterior fontanel generally remains two inches wide. It can, however, stay to some degree until your baby is near about eighteen months of age. On the other side, the back soft spot portion or posterior fontanel is basically around half an inch wide. It soon closes away when your baby is between six to twelve weeks of age.
What Happens if You Touch the Soft Spots on Baby’s Head?
Since the portion of the soft spot is extremely sensitive, and there is no skull growing to protect the baby’s brain, you have to be very careful about it. You must ensure that older siblings don’t push the area down while playing with the baby.
Besides, many people get overly worried about the baby’s soft spot. In fact, they avoid touching the area because of the fear of damage. But the fact is, that delicate spot in the baby’s head protects the baby from most common injuries in general.
The area is basically soft membrane cushions in the brain – it saves the baby from falls and potential risks. Though the fontanel seems feeble, it’s made of a rugged fibrous membrane. So, when you touch the baby gently, such as holding the baby, bathing him, or washing his hair – you don’t have to fear hurting him.
What Does it Mean When Soft Spot on Baby’s Head is Pulsating?
You may often notice that the soft spot of your baby is pulsating. Don’t worry! It’s a natural event. The blood is pulsing through the entire body of your baby and through the brain too. Hence, a movement occurs often, visible in the soft area. So, you don’t need to worry if you see your baby’s soft spot is pulsating.
Top 5 Causes of a Sunken Soft Spot on Baby’s Head
Behind a sunken soft spot, there can be various hidden causes. It can signify the hydration state in a baby. So, let’s look at the causes behind the sunken soft spot.
1. Dehydration
Dehydration appears when your little joy’s body discharges more excessive fluid than usual. It’s a common cause of sunken soft spots on a baby’s head. This can happen from extreme sweat, urination, etc. and not enough fluid intake. If the condition worsens with time, consider calling for emergency medical help.
[Read : Dehydration in Babies]
2. Kwashiorkor
It’s another common cause behind a sunken soft spot in babies’ heads. Kwashiorkor a severe form of malnutrition due to the absence of enough protein.
3. Diabetes Insipidus
DI or Diabetes insipidus may seem like a type of diabetes, but that’s not. It’s a rare condition in newborns when their kidneys cannot function and conserve water in a proper manner.
4. Failure to Thrive
When infants don’t meet the acknowledged standard for growth, they are said to have a failure to thrive. It can cause sunken soft spots in the infant’s head as well.
5. Toxic Megacolon
It’s a rare and life-risking condition in babies that widens the large intestine. It creates a more complex condition in babies like IBD or inflammatory bowel disease.
These are really medical emergency situations. So, parents should not delay seeking medical assistance in such cases.
What Should be Done if Your Baby Hits His Soft Spot?
If your baby hits the soft spot on his own, you must call immediate medical attention. Especially if you notice the feeble area in the head is bulging or swelling around the ears and eyes, you must call a doctor.
Also, ensure to detect other trauma or injuries with signs, including
- Vomiting
- Non-stop crying
- Seizures
- Unwillingness toward foods
- Difficulty in waking up
- Blood discharge from the nose or ears
[Read : Epilepsy In Babies]
When Should You be Concerned About the Soft Spots on Baby’s Head?
There is usually nothing to worry about in the baby’s soft spot. However, you can consult your doctor or ask for medical assistance immediately if you notice a visible depression in the baby’s head. It’s a “sunken in” soft spot, a sign of dehydration.
Another factor to worry about is when you notice a tense or bulging fontanel. It’s a sign of adverse illness, reflecting stress in or on the brain. Also, the baby’s soft spot can get more oversized due to some underlying medical concerns, including:
- Premature birth
- Down syndrome
- Intrauterine growth retardation
- Hydrocephalus
Besides, Craniosynostosis can be another severe reason behind concern, which arrives in rare cases. Often the baby’s skull fuses together too quickly when the baby is born. It certainly impacts the baby’s brain development process. It affects the head shape, making it abnormal.
Soft spots on the baby’s head are a common feature in newborns. There is no need to worry or take over concerns regarding that. However, if you notice something unusual or wrong with the baby’s fontanel, call the doctor right away!
FAQ’s
1. At What Age Does the Baby’s Fontanel Close?
The baby’s back fontanel may close during 2 or 3 months old. And the front fontanel closes when the baby is around 18 months old.
2. Should I be Concerned About Soft Spots on My Baby’s Head?
A soft spot is a natural event, and you shouldn’t be worried about it. However, if you notice a swollen spot for an extended period, that can be concerning. Hence, you must call for medical help.
3. How Do I Know if My Baby’s Soft Spot is Normal?
The soft spot on the baby’s head looks like a diamond or kite-shaped fontanel. If it’s flat, it’s normal. If it seems bulging or sunken down in your baby’s skull, that’s not normal. And you should consult a doctor.
Read Also: Flat Head Syndrome In Babies
