You may be worried about the baby’s soft spot, and a proper understanding is essential for you. The soft spot gets to normal condition with age as it facilitates the brain’s growth. Some parents wonder when to worry about their baby’s soft spot. This blog will explain the baby’s soft spot, its types, what is normal, and what to worry about the baby’s soft spot. This guide is helpful for your children’s health.
What Is a Baby’s Soft Spot?
The baby’s soft spot is the area of skull bone that is made up of immature bone. The soft spot helps the head to pass through the birth canal. This is a soft and sensitive area of a baby. That is why many people wonder when to worry about the baby’s soft spot. This area is soft and flexible when you touch it gently. The baby’s soft spot plays an important role in the early life of your infant.
Why Babies Have Soft Spots
The soft spot of the baby helps in brain growth during the developmental age. The brains of babies grow rapidly, and the soft spot facilitates growth and development. The flexible skull bones make room for the brain. The flexibility of the skull bone also helps the head to pass through the birth canal during delivery.
Types of Baby Soft Spots
Infants are born with two soft spots on their heads. New parents wonder when to worry about the baby’s soft spots. You should know, about the soft spots and their locations on the head.
Anterior Fontanelle (Front Soft Spot)
This soft spot is located on the top of the baby’s head in a diamond shape. It is a larger baby’s soft spot. This soft spot is visible and noticeable. This soft spot closes between the ages of 1 to 1.5 years.
Posterior Fontanelle (Back Soft Spot)
This soft spot lies at the backside of the baby’s head. The back soft spot is smaller than the front soft spot. You should know that the back soft spot has a triangular shape. This soft spot closes in 2 to 3 months. The large size of the back soft spots needs a medical examination.
What Is Normal for a Baby’s Soft Spot?
The normal conditions of the baby’s soft spot depend on many factors. You can notice the size, shape, and closure of your baby’s soft spot. Understanding is essential to prevent complications. The details are given below:
Normal Size and Shape
The front soft spot is big, and the back soft spot is small in size. The front soft spot has a diamond shape, and the back soft spot of the baby is almost a triangular shape. The areas and corners of soft spots are smooth. The soft spots are smooth and flat. Minor uneven texture is ignorable.
Normal Pulsation and Movement
You may notice pulsation or movement in the soft spot, which is due to the blood flow to the brain. The movement in the soft spot can be caused by crying and breathing. The pulsations and movements are normal and do not mean a disease.
When Soft Spots Usually Close
The back soft spot normally closes sooner than the front soft spot. The back soft spot closes in 2 to 3 months, while the front soft spot closes between the ages of 1 to 1.5 years. Some healthier babies close their soft spots earlier or later.
What Changes in a Baby’s Soft Spot Should Parents Watch For?
Some conditions related to the soft spot of the baby can cause worry, as understanding is necessary. Many people wonder when to worry about the baby’s soft spot, as it is important. The explanation of these conditions is given below:
Sunken Soft Spot
This is a sign of dehydration in your infant. It is a warning sign as the fluid may be removed due to fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. A mild sunken soft spot is normal after crying. The sunken soft spot at rest needs careful medical attention.
Bulging Soft Spot
The bulge soft spot is an indication of pressure inside the skull. This situation can be serious for some babies. The causes of a bulge soft spot are inflammation, infection, and fluid buildup in the brain. Crying may cause a temporary bulging of the soft spot, which is normal.
Very Large or Very Small Soft Spot
Hormonal imbalance can cause a very large or very small soft spot in your baby. You can consult a doctor in certain conditions, as early diagnosis helps to prevent further complications. You should know that a very small soft spot indicates the bone fusion.
Soft Spot That Closes Too Early
The early closure of the soft spot disrupts brain’s growth, and it is known as craniosynostosis. Early diagnosis allows proper treatment of craniosynostosis. You can examine the soft spot in your infant to prevent further complications.
Soft Spot That Does Not Close on Time
Sometimes the soft spot does not close on the dime due to nutrition deficiency and genetic problems. These types of cases are mostly harmless, as proper treatment helps to close the soft spot safely.
Conclusion
Soft spots are normally safe, but some problems related to soft spots cause health problems. This is why many people wonder when to worry about the baby’s soft spot. Certain conditions can cause worry for the parents. These conditions are sunken soft spot, a bulge soft spot, a large or small soft spot, and a soft spot that closes too early or not. You can follow Healthvore for more professional health tips.
FAQ’s
What is a baby’s soft spot and why does it feel soft?
A soft spot is the area on the head of a baby that is made with immature skull bones. It feels very soft and smooth as the skull bone is not formed properly.
When should parents worry about a baby’s soft spot?
The warning signs of a baby’s soft spot are severe inflammation, prolonged bulging or sinking, a very large or tiny soft spot, a soft spot that does not close, and early closure as well.
Why does a baby’s soft spot look sunken sometimes?
The sunken soft spot is the warning sign of dehydration, which can be caused by poor feeding or fever. The mild sinking of the soft spot is normal after crying, which requires rest.
How can parents tell if a bulging soft spot is serious?
You should know that temporary bulging is normal, as it can be caused by crying and blood flow to the brain. Bulging for a long time is serious, as it may be caused by fluid buildup and inflammation in the brain.
