How do I know if my baby’s fontanelle is normal?
Your baby’s fontanelles should look flat against their head. They should not look swollen and bulging or sunken down into your child’s skull. When you gently run your fingers over the top of your child’s head, the soft spot should feel soft and flat with a slight downward curve.
Is it normal for a fontanelle to be flat?
A fontanelle will feel firm but pliable. It is sometimes flat, but it is also normal for the fontanelle to be slightly concave. A pulse can also be felt if slight pressure is applied to the fontanelle. This is because of the blood flow in your baby’s head.
What is a fontanel (soft spot)?
A fontanel, also called fontanelle, is more commonly known as a soft spot. When a baby’s born, they typically have several fontanels where bones of their skull haven’t fused yet.
Is it normal for the fontanelle to be concave?
It is sometimes flat, but it is also normal for the fontanelle to be slightly concave. A pulse can also be felt if slight pressure is applied to the fontanelle. This is because of the blood flow in your baby’s head. This pulsation is consistent with your baby’s heartbeat and is not usually a cause for concern.
What does a normal fontanel feel like?
Your baby's fontanelle should feel soft and flat. If you softly touch a fontanelle, you may at times feel a slight pulsation — this is normal.
How would you describe a normal fontanelle?
Assessment of the Newborn Ensure you make note of any retraction or bulging, as the normal fontanelle feels firm and flat (not sunken or bulging). You may also notice visible pulsations in the anterior fontanelle (Wheeler, 2015), which is normal.
How do I know if my baby's soft spot is sunken in?
A baby's soft spots should be relatively firm and curve ever so slightly inward. A soft spot with a noticeable inward curve is known as a sunken fontanel.
When should I worry about my fontanelle?
If you notice a bulging fontanelle along with a fever or excessive drowsiness, seek medical attention right away. A fontanelle that doesn't seem to be closing. Talk with your doctor if your baby's soft spots haven't started getting smaller by her first birthday.
How can I tell if my baby's fontanel is bulging?
The fontanelles should feel firm and very slightly curved inward to the touch. A tense or bulging fontanelle occurs when fluid builds up in the brain or the brain swells, causing increased pressure inside the skull. When the infant is crying, lying down, or vomiting, the fontanelles may look like they are bulging.
How sunken should fontanelle be?
The anterior fontanelle normally appears flat and firm. Sometimes it can bulge slightly (such as when your baby cries) or even pulse along with his heartbeat. Less often, it can appear to be concave, or sunken. It's okay if it curves inward slightly to the touch.
Is it normal for babies fontanelle to be slightly sunken?
It is normal for a fontanel to form an inward curve in infants while their skull is still hardening. But in some cases, it may become sunken, and the cause may need medical treatment. A sunken fontanel, when accompanied by other symptoms, can be a sign of dehydration or malnutrition.
Is a slightly sunken fontanelle normal?
The fontanelles should feel firm and very slightly concave to the touch. A noticeably sunken fontanelle is a sign that the infant does not have enough fluid in its body. The sutures or anatomical lines where the bony plates of the skull join together can be easily felt in the newborn infant.
What does a bulging fontanel look like?
A bulging fontanel means that the soft spot looks bigger than usual. The normally soft area may swell up taller than the rest of the skull. The baby's head may appear to change shape, or the soft spot might look misshapen. Sometimes, the baby's whole head looks bigger.
What happens if fontanelle is pressed?
A baby's soft spots are called fontanelles. They allow your baby's brain to grow larger at a fast rate over their first year of life. It's important to avoid pressing into their soft spots, as it could cause damage to their skull or brain.
What does a bulging fontanelle indicate?
This is known as a bulging fontanel and may be a sign of brain swelling or fluid buildup in the brain. A bulging fontanel is an emergency. It can be a sign of pressure rising inside the skull which may result in damage to the baby's developing brain.
What happens if you accidentally push on a baby's soft spot?
Many parents worry that their baby will be injured if the soft spot is touched or brushed over. The fontanel is covered by a thick, tough membrane which protects the brain. There is absolutely no danger of damaging your baby with normal handling. Don't be afraid to touch, brush over, or wash over the soft spot.
Why are fontanelles important?
The spaces between the skull bones are important as they allow the bones to move, and even overlap, when the baby passes through the birth canal. These spaces also allow room for the baby’s brain to grow.
Why is my fontanelle not regrowing?
A bulging fontanelle that does not return to normal may be a sign of a serious condition, such as an infection or swelling in the brain. See your doctor immediately, especially if your baby has a fever or is unusually sleepy. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
What happens if a baby's fontanelle is sunken?
However, while a sunken fontanelle can occur when your baby is severely dehydrated there are many other signs of dehydration that happen before a fontanelle becomes sunken, such as fewer wet nappies and being less alert and responsive.
What does it mean when your fontanelle is sunk?
Many parents will worry about the fontanelle being ‘sunken’ (drawn in) and that this is a sign of being dehydrated (does not have enough fluid in their body).
What does it mean when your baby's head is soft?
About the fontanelle. If you run your fingers gently over your newborn’s head, you may feel a couple of soft spots instead of bone. These soft spots, where your baby’s skull bones haven’t fused together, are called fontanelles. They are a part of normal development. However, changes in the fontanelle can sometimes indicate a health issue.
Why does my baby's fontanelle look raised?
Bulging fontanelle. Your baby’s fontanelle may bulge or look raised when they cry but return to flat or slightly curved in when your baby is not crying and is in a head-up position. This is not a cause for concern.
Where is the fontanelle on a baby's head?
These spaces also allow room for the baby’s brain to grow. You may notice one such space, or fontanelle, at the front on top of the head and another smaller fontanelle at the back of the head. Over time, the fontanelles harden and close.
When do the fontanelles close?
As the baby grows, the fontanelles close. The anterior fontanelles usually close at around 18 months on average, but some close as early as nine months. The posterior fontanelle closes after six to eight weeks. Fontanelles close as the sutures fuse and the cranial bones mature and turn into the hard, calcified, skeletal material that makes up the skull. The timing of the closure is important because delayed closure may be indicative of certain illnesses.
What does a baby's head feel like?
A soft spot on your baby’s head is normal. It usually feels flat and soft, but may sometimes have a slightly concave appearance. Fontanelles are important landmarks and can provide clues about your baby’s health. You should watch out for signs of an abnormal fontanelle and immediately bring your baby for a medical evaluation. It is also important to know the signs of dehydration that accompany a sunken fontanelle. You can hydrate your baby at home if they have fluid losses, but take them to your doctor for thorough care if the condition persists or worsens.
What does a fontanel look like?
It’s important for new parents to understand what a fontanel looks and feels like. A baby’s soft spot should feel relatively soft and curve inward very slightly. Changes in texture or appearance can be a sign of serious health issues.
How to tell if a baby has a bulging fontanel?
To determine whether your infant actually has a bulging fontanel, first try to calm them down, and then position them so their head is upright.
What does it mean when your baby's fontanel is bulging?
This is known as a bulging fontanel and may be a sign of brain swelling or fluid buildup in the brain. A bulging fontanel is an emergency. It can be a sign of pressure rising inside the skull which may result in damage to the baby’s developing brain. If your child is experiencing this symptom, seek medical attention immediately.
Why is my fontanel bulging?
Other Causes. A bulging fontanel may be attributed to additional conditions, along with numerous others, as possible causes: a brain tumor or abscess. Lyme disease, which is a bacterial infection you get from an infected tick.
What is a bulging fontanel?
A bulging fontanel is a medical emergency that requires a hospital visit. Once there, your doctor can determine the potential causes as well as appropriate treatment measures. While a bulging fontanel has specific characteristics, call your child’s pediatrician if you have any doubts.
What is a soft spot in a baby's head?
A fontanel, also called fontanelle, is more commonly known as a soft spot. When a baby’s born, they typically have several fontanels where bones of their skull haven’t fused yet. A newborn has fontanels on the top, back, and sides of their head. Usually, only the anterior fontanel, which is on the top of the head toward the front, ...
Can a tumor cause a fontanel to bulge?
Also, it would be very uncommon, if not rare, for any of these — except brain tumor or abscess — to cause a bulging fontanel, either because the condition is rare in infancy or because the condition happens in infancy, but rarely causes a bulging fontanel.
How to care for baby fontanelles?
How to care for your baby's fontanelle. Try not to worry too much about your baby's fontanelles. You don't have to take any particular precautions when touching their head, washing their hair, or dressing them. Just be gentle when going over these areas. Your baby's fontanelles should look flat against their head.
Why is my fontanelle bulging?
A bulging fontanelle is a medical emergency. This bulging can be caused by fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus); inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain (meningitis, usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection); inflammation of the brain (encephalitis, mainly caused by viral infection); and shaken baby syndrome ...
Why do babies' fontanelles look flat?
Your baby's fontanelles should look flat against their head. They shouldn't be bulging or sunken. There are times when your baby's fontanelles may appear swollen. This can occur when you lay your baby flat on their back, when they are vomiting, or if they are crying.
How many fontanelles are there in a baby?
Babies are usually born with six fontanelles. They are in different places around the skull and close at different times throughout childhood. The posterior fontanelle usually closes first, followed by the sphenoidal fontanelles, mastoid fontanelles, and anterior fontanelle.
How many sphenoid fontanelles are there?
Sphenoid fontanelle. There are two sphenoid fontanelles on either side of the baby's head near their temple. These fontanelles typically close by the time your baby is six months old.
What to do if baby has a bulging fontanelle?
If your baby has a bulging or sunken fontanelle, you need to contact their doctor immediately. This could be a sign of a medical emergency. Soft spots are a natural part of child development. They will eventually close by the time your child is about around two years old, but every child is different.
What causes a sunken fontanelle?
A noticeable inward curve is known as a sunken fontanelle. Several conditions can cause a sunken fontanelle, including dehydration, failure to thrive, a severe form of malnutrition called Kwashiorkor, toxic megacolon (a rare complication of inflammatory bowel syndrome), and diabetes insipidus (when the kidneys can't conserve water when filtering blood).
How to tell if baby's fontanelle is sunken?
Signs of a sunken fontanelle or sunken soft spot. If baby’s fontanelle on the top of his head isn’t flat but rather dips inward, it means his fontanelle is sunken. Continue Reading Below.
How long does it take for a fontanelle to fuse?
The top (or anterior) fontanelle starts to close at 6 months and will usually be completely fused together between 19 and 24 months.
Where are the soft spots on a baby's head?
What is a fontanelle or soft spot? Your baby has two soft spots, or fontanelles, on his head. The larger of the two is located on the very top of the head. The second, smaller one is located toward the back of baby’s head. If you gently touch these areas, you’ll notice that they aren’t hard like the rest of baby’s head (or skull).
Can you nurse a baby with a sunken soft spot?
No need to worry if your baby’s fontanelle seems slightly indented. But if your baby has a noticeably sunken soft spot, it’s important that you give him additional fluids as soon as possible. If you’re breastfeeding, nurse more often. If you’re bottle-feeding, add in an additional few bottles.
