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Parentpedia
Soft Spot
What Experts Say*
If there's one part of a newborn baby's body that makes first-time parents nervous, it's probably that soft spot on his head. How can those maternity-ward nurses handle him with such nonchalance, when you feel as though your baby's soft spot makes him all the more vulnerable to injury? Relax: A baby's soft spot, or fontanel, is actually an ingenious means for him to survive the trauma of birth.
This might surprise you, but the skull is not one single piece of bone; rather, it is composed of seven bones that eventually fuse together in a process called ossification. Fontanels are spots where your baby's skull bones have not yet fused together, which helps the head manage the trip down the birth canal.
According to pediatrician Dr. Allan Greene, babies are born with six fontanels, though only two are usually noticeable. The one at the top of the head is called the anterior fontanel; the one at the back is the posterior. Fontanels also ensure that there's room for your baby's brain to grow in her first year or two.
Your baby's fontanels are not simply covered with thin skin, but with a tough, protective, fibrous membrane. In fact, notes Dr. Greene, fontanels actually cushion the baby's head in the event of a fall (which can happen to even the most careful parents). Says pediatrician and author Dr. William Sears, the posterior fontanel usually closes by about 3 months of age, while the anterior fontanel takes its time, closing in most babies by 12-18 months.
You'll probably notice your pediatrician checking the soft spots at each office visit. He wants to see that the fontanels are not closing too early -- a rare condition called craniosynostosis. In some cases, this early fusing merely leads to a funny-shaped head. But in severe cases, craniosynostosis can literally squelch brain growth, causing mental retardation, seizures, or blindness. This is, again, very rare -- and can be treated when caught early. Your pediatrician will also check that the soft spot is firm and flat, not sunken, as a sunken fontanel is a sign of dehydration.
* IMPORTANT NOTICE: Parentpedia contains the opinions and views of other users and not of Disney or its affiliated companies. Given the interactive nature of Parentpedia, we cannot endorse, guarantee or be responsible for the accuracy, efficacy or veracity of any content on this site, including the content generated by users, article authors or article reviewers.The contents of Parentpedia are intended for informational purposes only. Such contents provide general information that is not specific to any individual. The contents are not intended to, and do not, substitute for or constitute medical or healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment, and may not be used for such purposes. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before acting on information obtained from this site. Never disregard professional medical or healthcare advice or delay in seeking it because of something you read on this site. Parentpedia does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on this site. Reliance on information presented on Parentpedia is at your own risk.
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