New parents always have this question in mind about babies head structure, when do babies soft spots close? Being new parents, every experience with your infant is unique, so are these babies’ soft spots. Medically, these soft spots are called fontanels. There are two kinds of fontanels
- Anterior Fontanelle. It is located on the top of the head.
- Posterior Fontanelle. It is located near the back of the head.
In normal conditions, the Posterior fontanels usually close between 1 to 2 months from birth. However, the anterior fontanelle takes time and reaches up to 14-18 months to close.
These Fontanels are spaces between the bones of the skull, helping them to get mold during birth. So, naturally, parents are curious about the appearance of these soft spots. So, when babies’ soft spots close is usually their primary concern.
Always keep in mind that there are two soft spots on the baby’s head. The first and a little smaller spot is on the back of the skull, and the other major spot is in the middle of the skull. As a baby’s brain grows, these spots are eventually closed. The small spot fills in before the middle one. The smaller gap closes itself at the age of three months, and you won’t even specifically notice that.
The big spot on the middle of the skull will close when your baby is 18 months old. During this one & a half years’ time period of your baby’s growth, you will notice a change in this larger spot. It will get smaller each passing month and will ultimately close.
Does a baby’s soft spot go in and out?
A baby’s soft spot usually doesn’t go in and out on its own. A feeling of pulsating may be observed, but that is not frequent. Moreover, the continuous movement is actually due to the pulsating of blood, corresponding to your baby’s heartbeat. So this up and down of the fontanel is nothing to worry about.
Another form of going up and down of soft spots is sinking the area due to dehydration. In that case, you need a medical checkup for your baby.
The permanent change in the soft spot is its gradual demise with the growing age of your baby. When the growth of the brain is completed, the soft spot fills in, and the skull equally becomes hard.
How fragile are babies’ soft spots?
We all should know that babies have soft spots by birth on their skulls. To know how fragile babies’ soft spots are, you can examine them by yourself. As we name them, “soft,”; obviously, the spots are fragile. But the critical information is that they are protected well by a solid membrane.
So, no need to get worried about the fragility of these soft spots. With time, when the growth of your baby’s brain is complete, the spots will fill in too. Then, when your baby is around 18 months old, the spots close up, and the skull becomes hard.
During the process of your baby’s brain growth, these spots need your attention, but without getting nervous. Although the soft spots look fragile, you can feel that too by touching them softly.
New parents are usually confused with small actions; they wonder if they can touch fontanels or not? Does touching the spots mean touching the baby’s brain and so on? It is natural to think like this, but you will be surprised to know that there is no harm in a slight touch.
How should a baby’s soft spot feel? and When Do Babies Soft Spots Close?
With a newborn in your arms, naturally, you examine every body part of your baby. Infants are a whole little new world to explore.
A healthy baby born with fontanels on his head, the spots you aren’t familiar with.
So, sometimes you wonder, are the spots fine or healthy? How should a baby’s soft spot feel, etc.?
To get answers to your queries, you can touch these soft spots. While gently touching your baby’s soft spot, you will feel fragility along with a minute curve downward, but the spot looks flat. That is what a normal, healthy soft spot may feel like.
Sometimes, the baby’s soft spot feels pulsating. However, it usually seems like you see your baby’s heartbeat, which is a regular movement.
You may also feel that your baby’s fontanels are sunken sometimes. It is something to take seriously if you feel an unusual deepness in the spot. You should consult your family doctor.
The sunken spot is generally due to dehydration in the baby’s body, so a visit to the doctor is a must.
What happens if you accidentally hit the baby’s soft spots?
Nurturing a baby is not an easy job; you’ll see lots of unforeseen happenings. As parents, you need to act responsibly during the whole period. Especially the first three years of a child’s growth is more sensitive. With all other essentials, you need to be careful about your baby’s soft spots.
Even though you are conscious but still if you accidentally hit a baby’s soft spot, check them after.
If you observe any swelling or bulging over the skull, you need to rush to a child’s specialist. The visible changes that appear on the baby’s skull are helpful to decide the cure. If you don’t see one, it is still recommended to see the doctor.
How should a baby’s soft spot appear to be?
The Baby’s soft spots look like a flat surface on the top front of the skull. The front and back spots look alike. A healthy baby’s soft spots are flat and slightly curved downward. If you see any swelling or sinking, this is not normal, and you should visit the doctor.
Can I touch my baby’s soft spots?
Yes, indeed. There is no danger of touching your baby’s soft spots gently and carefully. Just don’t press unnecessarily because these are the most fragile and tender spots of a baby’s body after birth. Touching them, in general, is not harmful because they are protected with a sturdy and thick layer of the membrane.
What is a baby’s soft spot called medically?
Medically, the soft spots of a baby’s skull are called fontanels. One on the top of the skull is anterior, and the second one on the back is posterior.