Table of Contents
Touching the Soft Spots on Baby’s Head When you touch your baby’s soft spots, known as the fontanels, you’re not touching his brain. So what are you touching? A thick, very protective membrane. The soft spots exist so your baby can safely negotiate the narrow birth canal.
Is it okay to touch a baby’s soft spot?
After birth, they stay open long enough to accommodate your baby’s growing brain. Fontanelles may look and feel fragile, but the good news is that they’re well-protected by a sturdy membrane. That means it’s okay to touch them gently.
What if I accidentally hit my baby’s 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.
Why would a baby’s soft spot be swollen?
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.
When do babies recognize their own name?
When to expect it: Most babies understand and respond to their own names by 5 to 6 months of age.
How should a baby’s soft spot feel?
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. When your child is crying, vomiting, or lying down, the anterior fontanelle may look raised or like it’s bulging.
Is it normal for baby’s soft spot to move?
In some instances, the soft spot on the top of your baby’s head may seem to be pulsating. There is no need to worry—this movement is quite normal and simply reflects the visible pulsing of blood that corresponds to your baby’s heartbeat.
Should I wash my baby’s face everyday?
You don’t need to bathe your baby every day, but you should wash their face, neck, hands and bottom carefully every day. This is often called ‘topping and tailing’. Choose a time when your baby is awake and content. Make sure the room is warm.
Why are soft surfaces bad for baby?
The American Academy of Pediatrics says parents should keep the soft objects and loose bedding away from infants because they can inadvertently lead to suffocation. Furthermore, bedding has been associated with sudden infant death syndrome, the leading cause of death for infants 1 month to 1 year old.
At what age do babies laugh?
Laughing may occur as early as 12 weeks of age and increase in frequency and intensity in the first year. At around 5 months, babies may laugh and enjoy making others laugh.
Can you use baby wipes on baby face?
Yes. While specifically designed for diaper change cleanup, parents can be assured that Pampers baby wipes are safe for use on other body parts—including the face—and can be used at every diaper change. Pampers baby wipes have been clinically tested to ensure they do not cause allergies or skin irritation.
Can I put lotion on newborn face?
Dry Skin. Many newborns have some areas of dry skin that go away on their own. During the newborn stage, babies usually do not need additional lotion on their skin.
How do you shape a baby head?
Try these remedies to help your baby’s head shape even out: Put your baby on their back to go to sleep. Once they’re asleep, gently turn their head so that they are lying on a non-flat side and not on the back of their head. Do not use any cushions or clothing to keep your baby’s head in place.
How do I know if my baby is dehydrated?
Parched, dry mouth. Fewer tears when crying. Sunken soft spot of the head in an infant or toddler. Stools will be loose if dehydration is caused by diarrhea; if dehydration is due to other fluid loss (vomiting, lack of fluid intake), there will be decreased bowel movements.
At what age can a baby see?
By around 8 weeks of age, most babies can easily focus on their parents’ faces. Around 3 months, your baby’s eyes should be following things around. If you waggle a brightly colored toy near your baby, you should be able to see their eyes tracking its movements and their hands reaching to grab it.
When does a baby’s skull fuse?
Around two years of age, a child’s skull bones begin to join together because the sutures become bone. When this occurs, the suture is said to “close.” In a baby with craniosynostosis, one or more of the sutures closes too early. This can limit or slow the growth of the baby’s brain.
What does it mean when a baby’s soft spot sinks in?
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 be concerned about my baby’s soft spot?
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. This condition requires immediate medical attention.
How often should babies bathe?
AAP recommends bathing your baby no more than three days per week. 2 Of course, even that is not a hard and fast rule. If you want to bathe your baby more often, that’s fine, and if you only bathe your baby one or two days per week (but spot clean any other messes and keep their diaper area clean), that’s fine too!
Why do babies smile in their sleep?
For example, many researchers note that babies may twitch or smile in their sleep during active sleep. When babies go through this type of sleep, their bodies can make involuntary movements. These involuntary movements might contribute to smiles and laughter from babies during this time.
How fragile is a baby’s head?
It’s on the back of the head, triangular in shape, and only about a half inch in diameter. While protecting your baby’s head (no bouncing or shaking) is wise, the good news is it’s much less fragile than it seems. Those soft spots are covered by strong membranes that do an excellent job of safeguarding the brain.
