How to Take Care of Your Baby’s Fontanelles?

How to Take Care of Your Baby’s Fontanelles?

7 Oct 2021 | 3 min Read

Dr Amruta Shirodkar

Author | 1 Articles

Do you know about the baby’s fontanelles? They are one of the most important things to look after in a newborn baby.

If you deeply observe the head of your baby, you’ll find some spots that are softer than the rest of the head. These soft spots are called fontanelles. Based on the positioning of these fontanelles, these are two types – anterior and posterior.

Fontanelles ensure safe and easy childbirth. They allow the baby to squeeze its head to pass easily through the birth canal. As the baby grows, these fontanelles disappear because the skull bones take shape and join each other.
Where Can You Find Fontanelles?
Parents can find the soft spots on the front as well as the back of the head. The top and soft frontal area are the Anterior Fontanelle that hardens when the baby grows a year old. In contrast, the posterior Fontanelle lies at the back of the head, which closes after 6 to 7 weeks of childbirth.

 

Here is all you need to know about these soft spots of the head, what we call Fontanelle.

The Pulsing of Soft Spots

You may observe that the Anterior Fontanelle is pulsating. It may give you the feeling that it is beating like a pulse. But don’t worry, this is normal and syncs with the heartbeat of your child.

The Closing of the Fontanelles

The closing process of these Fontanelles is gradual and takes time. These soft areas in the head will get hard as the baby grows older.

How To Care For The Fontanelle?

Proper care and attention are required while handling the baby’s head.

1. Be gentle and soft when you put oil in your baby’s head. Do not rub or give pressure to these areas.
2. Visit the doctor if you see that anterior fontanelle is taking extra time to get hard.
3. An abnormally deep or high pulsating fontanelle requires immediate attention.
4. Must consult with your doctor in case of bulging fontanelle. It may be a sign of a problem.
5. If the anterior fontanelle looks more profound, it can also be a sign of dehydration. Ask your child to drink more water in a day.
6. When the weather is too cold, cover your baby’s head with a warm cap, or you may also gently massage its head to keep its head warm.
7. Delay in the closure of fontanelle can be a sign of Dwarfism or Down syndrome. You should consult with your doctor immediately.
8. Premature closure of fontanelle is also not a good sign. It may lead to any skull development issues.
9. Take proper care to avoid any head injuries.

#babycareandhygiene

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