When you first hold your little one in your arms, and you stroke their head lovingly, you notice a soft, cloud-like spot on top of their head, right? Some new parents are a little scared when they see this. "What is this? Is something wrong with the baby? Will my hand get too tight?" They think. But don't worry. This soft spot on a baby's head is often very normal and necessary. Let's talk about it all in detail today.
What is this 'soft spot' or fontanelle?
Simply put, when a baby is born, the bones in their skull are not all fused together. There are small gaps between those bones. These gaps are what we call 'soft spots' or, in medical terms , fontanelles .
There are two main reasons for this:
1. Make birth easier: When the baby comes into this world, these gaps help it to come out easily through the mother's birth canal. This slightly changes the shape of the skull, making it easier for the birth to occur without causing much harm to the mother or the baby.
2. Allow for brain development: A baby's brain develops very rapidly during the first year of life. These gaps are very important to provide the necessary space for this rapid growth.
There are usually two main soft spots like this on a baby's head.
- The large one at the top of the front: This is the largest and most prominent fontanel that most people see.
- The little one at the back of the head : This is relatively small, so you may not even feel it.
The most important thing is to avoid touching or pressing these soft areas too hard. Because underneath is the baby's sensitive brain. There's no need to be afraid of stroking their head, bathing them, or combing their hair as usual.
What does this usually look like? When does it close?
When you see this beautiful place, you can observe small things. They are normal.
- When the baby cries or coughs, this area may look a little swollen . When the baby calms down, it returns to normal.
- Sometimes it may seem like the baby's heartbeat is going up and down a little, like a pulse. This is also completely normal.
- You can also see it move according to the rhythm of the baby's sucking when he or she is breastfeeding.
When do these close?
These gaps are not permanent. As the baby grows, the skull bones grow and these gaps close.
- The little one on the back: This usually falls off after about 3 months .
- The big one in the front: This one takes a while to close. It usually closes completely around 18 months (1 1/2 years) .
When you take your baby to the clinic, the doctor will always check this fontanel. That way, you can tell if it is closing properly and appropriately for the baby's age.
What are the dangerous symptoms we should be on the lookout for?
While this is normal in most cases, it can sometimes be a sign of a serious health problem, so it's important to keep an eye out for it.
| Feature to pay attention to | What it could mean and what you should do |
|---|---|
| Sunken Fontanelle | This can be a major sign of dehydration in your baby. Be especially careful if your baby has diarrhea or vomiting. Pay attention to how much milk your baby is drinking. See your doctor immediately. |
| Bulging fontanelle | If the fontanel continues to swell and bulge even when the baby is calm and not crying, it could be a sign of increased pressure or swelling in the brain. This can happen due to a head injury or infection. This is an emergency. See a doctor immediately or go to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU). |
Additionally, some medical conditions can cause the fontanelle to be larger than normal. For example:
- Down syndrome
- Hydrocephalus (accumulation of fluid in the brain)
- Premature birth
Your doctor will recognize these types of situations and provide the necessary advice.
Rare condition: Craniosynostosis
This is a bit of a complicated term. Simply put, craniosynostosis is when the gaps between the bones of a baby's skull close prematurely, causing the bones to fuse together. This can lead to a lack of space for the brain to develop. It can also cause the baby's head to be abnormally shaped.
There are several types of this condition.
| Type | How does the shape of the head change? |
|---|---|
| Sagittal synostosis | The central gap running from front to back closes early. The head takes on an elongated and narrow shape. |
| Coronal synostosis | The gap on one side, running from the ear to the top of the head, closes. That side of the forehead takes on a flat shape. |
| Bicoronal synostosis | Both gaps that run from the ears to the top of the head close. The skull takes on a wide and short shape. |
| Lambdoid synostosis | The gap that runs across the back of the head closes. The back of the head takes on a flat shape. |
| Metopic synostosis | The gap in the middle of the forehead, which runs from the nose to the crown of the head, closes. The forehead takes on a triangular shape. |
Although this is a rare condition, if you have any doubts about the shape of your baby's head, it's best to talk to your doctor about it.
Take-Home Message
- The soft spot on your baby's head, or fontanelle, is completely normal and necessary . Don't worry about it unnecessarily.
- When handling the baby's head , do not press hard, but be gentle .
- If the fontanel appears sunken (dehydration) or continues to swell even when the baby is calm (pressure on the brain) , it is a warning sign.
- If you have any doubts or concerns , do not speculate and see your pediatrician immediately. Seeking advice early is always the safest thing to do.
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