When is a soft spot a concern?

When does the soft spot go away? Since the back soft spot is smaller, it usually closes around three months old. The larger spot on the top-front of their skull won't close until around 18 months old.

Is it normal for soft spot to be slightly sunken?

Less often, it can appear to be concave, or sunken. It's okay if it curves inward slightly to the touch. But if the soft spot is significantly sunken, it's usually a sign that your baby is dehydrated and needs fluids immediately.

Are fontanelles something you should worry about?

A bulging or swollen fontanelle may be a sign of a number of serious but rare conditions including meningitis or encephalitis (infections in the brain), cerebral haemorrhage (bleeding in the brain), hydrocephalus, an abscess or another cause of increased pressure in the brain.

What is a soft spot supposed to look like?

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.

What happens if baby soft spot gets hit?

What Should You Do If Your Baby Hits His Soft Spot? Contact your baby's healthcare provider if your baby hits his soft spot. If you notice swelling/bulging of the soft spot and/or bruising around her eyes or behind her ears, it may be due to a concussion. Call 911 immediately.

Skull fontanelles

How do I know if baby is OK after hitting head?

How fragile are babies soft spots?

When do fontanelles close? Your baby's soft spots won't stick around forever. Eventually, the bones in her skull will build up enough minerals to completely fuse together, and those gaps will close. The smaller back fontanelle typically closes by the time a baby is around 3 months old, but is sometimes closed at birth.

What is considered a bulging soft spot?

A bulging fontanelle is an outward curving of an infant's soft spot (fontanelle). The sutures or anatomical lines where the bony plates of the skull join together can be easily felt in the newborn infant.

How do I know if my baby's soft spot is swollen?

Parents should watch for soft spots that are curved outward on their baby's head and feel very firm. This is known as a bulging fontanel and may be a sign of brain swelling or fluid buildup in the brain.

What does a large soft spot mean?

Fontanelles that are abnormally large may indicate a medical condition. A wide fontanelle occurs when the fontanelle is larger in size than expected for the age of the baby. Slow or incomplete ossification of the skull bones is most often the cause of a wide fontanelle.

What three questions should you ask to figure out why the fontanelle is depressed?

How do you check a fontanelle?

Assessment of the Newborn

When assessing the fontanelles, use the flat pads of your fingers to palpate (gently feel) the surface of the head. Ensure you make note of any retraction or bulging, as the normal fontanelle feels firm and flat (not sunken or bulging).

How big should fontanelle be at 3 months?

The mean with 2 standard deviation of anterior fontanel size for newborns was 2.55±1.92 cm (range 0.55 to 4.6 cm), for 3 months of age 3.37±2.48 (range 0.8 to 6.9 cm) that is the largest fontanel size in our children.

Why is my 2 month old soft spot sunken?

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.

Does sunken soft spot always mean dehydration?

A sunken fontanel, when accompanied by other symptoms, can be a sign of dehydration or malnutrition. Some baby's fontanels always appear slightly sunken even when they are well. Sometimes, a baby is dehydrated but does not have a sunken fontanel.

Why is my baby soft spot sunken in when sitting up?

You might notice a sunken fontanelle, or that your baby's soft spot is more noticeable when he's sitting up rather than lying down. This is normal and simply due to gravity.

When should I worry about a bulging fontanelle?

It is just as likely that an infection or trauma caused the crying or vomiting, as well as the swelling. Anyone who notices a bulging fontanel on their baby should take them to the hospital or call 911.

What are the symptoms of meningitis in babies?

Why is my baby's soft spot pulsing?

Why Is the Soft Spot Pulsating? At times, you may notice that your baby's soft spot is pulsating. While this may seem unsettling at first, it is completely normal. The pulsations correlate with your baby's heartbeat and the pulsing of blood through their body.

What does a sunken fontanel look like?

You may never be able to feel or see this one. The one on the top of the head remains present until your baby is between 7 and 19 months old. 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.

What percentage of babies fall off the bed?

But, first know that even though this is a scary experience, you're not the only parent going through this. In fact, did you know that in children under age 1, falls account for over 50 percent of nonfatal injuries? (source). It happened to me and my hubby with our first child and our twins.

Can a baby hitting their head cause brain damage?

It happens when someone shakes a baby or hits the baby against something hard. Most cases happen when a parent or caregiver is angry, tired, or upset because a baby won't stop crying or the child can't do something they expect, like toilet train. These injuries can cause permanent brain damage or death.

When can babies start laughing?

Most babies will begin laughing around month three or four. However, don't be concerned if your baby isn't laughing at four months. Each baby is different. Some babies will laugh earlier than others.

How do I know if my baby has brain damage?

The baby may exhibit tremors or muscle spasms or even develop paralysis in certain parts of the body. Extreme fatigue can also be a sign of brain damage. As a baby grows, brain damage may cause delayed physical development. A baby may be slow to crawl, sit up, stand up, and walk.

Can baby nap after bumping head?

If the child seemed well after the bump to the head, it is OK to let them go to sleep. But if they seem unusually sleepy, or they seem dazed when they wake, they should be seen by a doctor straight away.