Everything There Is To Know About A Baby’s Fontanel

The baby’s fontanelle, that soft spot on the skull also known as the soft spot, often worries many parents. And, in truth, that gap in the bones of the cranial cavity has a lot to say. Stay with us so that you know its peculiarities.

Fontanelles

Fontanelles, also called sutures, are the soft, membrane-covered junctions between the seven bones that make up the skull.

Although there are usually several fontanelles, the ones best known by parents are the posterior and, above all, the anterior; Hence, when one speaks of fontanelle, the name of mollera immediately springs to mind.

Lambdoid fontanelle

The posterior fontanelle (lambdoid fontanelle) is the suture at the back of the skull.

It usually finishes closing shortly after the baby is born, around week 8; but there are many cases in which the child is born with it already closed. Adults sometimes do not even know of its existence.

Bregmatic fontanel

The mollera (bregmatic fontanelle) is the one that causes the most topic of conversation in the family and the parents know the most.

The anterior fontanelle is the one that is found in the upper part of the skull a little in front of the center of the head, and that does not finish closing, on several occasions, until about 2 years of age.

What good are fontanelles?

These holes are essential for the moment of birth. Once the baby exits the birth canal, the fontanelles allow the bones to overlap so that the brain is not damaged.

After birth, they continue to fulfill various functions, including the fundamental one: allowing the head to grow as the brain also increases in size.

In the pediatrician’s check-ups, the doctor palpates the anterior fontanelle of children to have a better assessment of its development and thus rule out some appearances such as craniosynostosis (early closure of the fontanels that prevents normal skull-brain growth).

On the other hand, a bulging or very open nozzle is a symptom of increased intracranial pressure and increased fluid (hydrocephalus); and one that is too depressed shows signs of dehydration.

Is there a concern when the baby’s fontanel is sunken or bulging?

Of course you have to worry. Everything related to the baby should be a reason for attention; however, the anterior fontanel must be observed. Not because you see it bulging at a certain moment, this is an indication that there is a problem.

The head, sometimes, is seen to beat in unison with the heartbeat, it bulges when the child vomits, cries, or strains; and it sinks when we keep it upright and quiet. In neither of these cases should you worry.

Now, if you notice that the anterior fontanelle remains, for example, bulging all the time, you should take your child to his pediatrician because he will be the one who best determines if it is a disorder or condition.

How to remove the scab from the baby’s nap?

Although the baby has good hygiene, the anterior fontanelle tends to fill with dandruff and that is one of the main concerns that this peculiar area causes to the parents.

The yellowish and greasy crust that forms is impossible to remove just with the rubbing of the fingertips. Usually when it needs to be cleaned another form of grooming is needed to remove what is also known as cradle cap.

Therefore, when you notice that your baby has dandruff in his head, proceed as follows:

Use a cotton ball and soak it in baby oil. Gently run it over your child’s head and make the skull thoroughly wet with oil.

Wait a few minutes for the dandruff to soften. She takes her soft bristle comb and begins to gently brush it all over that area. To make it easier for you to lift the dirt, always make short movements from back to front.

When you finish removing the scab, wash your child’s head as you normally do, always, without exerting too much pressure.