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Baby's Soft Spots Or Fontanelles

Fontanelles are the soft spots nestling at the sites where the cranial or skull bones join. They are membrane-filled spaces and babies have four of these.

Fontanelle is a French word meaning ‘little fountain’, and was probably named this as one can see the pulsation of blood vessels in the largest one and because it is a good indicator of baby’s overall fluid levels.

 

More About Baby's Soft Spots

  • The biggest is the anterior fontanelle on top and slightly to the front of the head. The second biggest is the posterior fontanelle, situated on the midline of the curved rear surface of the skull.
  • There are two much smaller ones on the sides of the head but to most people these are not even detectable. Babies have fontanelles and the sutures that join them to enable the skull bones to mould over each other for an easier birth and to enable the brain to continue its rapid growth after birth without hindrance by a rigid bone structure.
  • The anterior fontanelle is also known as the bregma and measures 3x2cm. It closes between 6 and 18 months. Run the pads of your fingers gently over the anterior fontanelle to acquaint yourself with its size and how it feels normally.
  • The posterior fontanelle is also known as the lambda, and is more of a meeting point of sutures (seams) between the bones at the rear of baby’s skull. It closes by 6-8 weeks. Skull bones only fuse completely at about two years, although the fontanelles by then are only noticeable as slight irregularities on the skull.
  • Many parents are concerned about the soft spots on a baby’s head and wonder if they will not hurt their babies when washing hair or cleaning the head. Do not be scared, simply be gentle over this area. Do not press on the soft spot, especially the large anterior fontanelle, and all will be well.
  • To routinely clean baby’s head, simply wipe down with a warm, damp face flannel. If baby has a thick shock of hair or perspires freely on the scalp, you might need to do so once or twice daily, or wash baby’s hair with gentle shampoo at each bath time.
  • Together with the sutures between cranial bones, fontanelles help identify the position baby has in the womb, on internal examination once one is in labour. It is important to know if baby’s head is in the most optimal position for birth.
  • Hydration status can also be determined by observation of the anterior fontanelle in a small baby, as dehydration would cause it to be sunken. Intracranial pressure is always a serious sign in babies and might be present if the anterior fontanelle bulges outwards.
  • There are some homeopathic remedies that may be helpful too. If closure of the anterior fontanelle occurs on the slow side, your baby may need the tissue salt remedy.
  • Babies with extremely big heads with a large fontanelle and scrawny bodies often require the tissue salt remedy Silicea and this will help them gain head and neck control more easily.
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