Is it normal for 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.
When should I worry about a sunken fontanelle?
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. This condition requires immediate medical attention.
What helps a sunken fontanelle?
What can I do about my baby’s 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.
Does sunken soft spot always mean dehydration?
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.
How does a sunken fontanelle look like?
The diamond shaped space on the top of the skull and the smaller space further to the back are often referred to as the soft spot in young infants. 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.
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.
How do I know if my baby’s fontanel is sunken?
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 happens if you accidentally touched baby’s soft spot?
Can I hurt my baby’s brain if I touch the 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.
When does baby’s skull Harden?
It can take 9-18 months before a baby’s skull is fully formed. During this time some babies develop positional plagiocephaly. This means that there is a flat area on the back or side of the head. Positional plagiocephaly does not affect brain growth or development; it is purely a shape issue.
Can crying hysterically hurt my baby?
Having an occasional crying spell isn’t likely to harm your unborn baby. More severe depression during pregnancy, however, could possibly have a negative impact on your pregnancy.
Is it normal for a fontanelle to be sunken?
If the skin is broken, bacteria and/or viruses can potentially access the brain. A normal fontanelle is flat or very slightly sunken and can easily be felt with the fingertips. Many new mothers are likely to panic when they feel it bulging when the baby cries (as you can see below) – this is normal.
What is Fontanelle closure and what causes it?
Fontanelle closure, if not affected by the above-mentioned disorders, is relatively predictable. Up to the time the soft spots have disappeared by way of a process called intramembranous ossification, these areas of the skull are susceptible to damage. If the skin is broken, bacteria and/or viruses can potentially access the brain.
What is a fontanelle on a baby?
A fontanelle, fontanel, or soft spot is an anatomical feature of a baby’s skull. A baby has six fontanelles that consist of membranous tissue in the areas where certain adult skull sutures are found.
Is it normal for a fontanelle to bulge?
A normal fontanelle is flat or very slightly sunken and can easily be felt with the fingertips. Many new mothers are likely to panic when they feel it bulging when the baby cries (as you can see below) – this is normal. When the baby stops crying, the bulge disappears. The fontanelles can bulge when a baby cries