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Understand your baby’s soft spot, what’s normal, signs to watch and when to seek help. Clear guidance for new parents, without the panic.
What is a Newborn’s Soft Spot?
Where is the Soft Spot and What Does It Feel Like?
What is Normal for a Baby’s Soft Spot?
When Should You Worry About Your Baby’s Soft Spot?
When Does the Soft Spot Close?
Can You Touch Your Baby’s Soft Spot Safely?
How to Care for Your Baby’s Head and Soft Spot?
FAQs around baby’s soft spot
Noticing that soft spot on your baby’s head for the first time can be scary, but please be assured that it's perfectly normal and is actually a very important part of your newborn's development.
In the medical world these soft spots are called fontanelles and are designed to be there.
When you first see them, they can look and feel a little bit odd. It's really not that uncommon for new parents to start googling what they are supposed to look and feel like.
This guide is here to help you understand what’s normal, what to keep an eye out for, and when you should get medical advice.
A soft spot, or fontanelle, is a space between the bones of your baby’s skull. Babies are actually born with several fontanelles however we usually only notice the one on the top of the head as that’s the largest.
These soft spots are a crucial part of your newborn's development for two main reasons: During birth, these soft spots allow the bones of the skull to overlap to fit through the birth canal safely. Your baby's brain grows quite quickly in their first year of life and these soft spots allow enough space for that to happen safely.
The largest soft spot (the one that we notice) is called the anterior fontanelle . It is shaped like a diamond and is situated near the top front of your baby’s head.
If you place a finger gently on it, you may feel it pulsating. This is totally normal. There are lots of little blood vessels just underneath it and what you are feeling is the blood flowing through them.
Parents often worry that they may accidentally cause harm to the soft spot. Please be assured that the soft spot is covered over and protected by a very strong, durable membrane. Normal activities like washing or gently brushing your baby’s hair will not cause any harm to it.
A healthy soft spot should look flat or have a very slight dip when your baby is relaxed and calm. However, it is important to know that your baby’s fontanelle can look different depending on what they are actually doing. For example, it may look a little bit different when they are upright versus when they are lying down. If your baby is dehydrated it can look sunken (slight dip). When babies cry or get upset it can look raised or bulging.
A slight dip in the soft spot is common and is usually due to your baby’s position. However, if you find that your baby has a noticeably sunken fontanelle, this is often a sign of dehydration and may need medical attention. If your baby’s sunken fontanelle is accompanied by; fewer wet nappies than usual, dry mouth or absence of tears when crying, lethargy or unusual sleepiness or cold hands and feet, you should seek medical advice.
Dehydration is almost always the cause of a sunken fontanelle. There are many everyday situations which can cause this. Hot weather can increase sweating and cause mild fluid loss. Feeding issues such as difficulty latching or not getting enough milk during a feed can leave the baby dehydrated.
Illnesses such as diarrhoea and vomiting will cause the body to lose fluids and in turn this will lead to dehydration. Checking for these everyday causes can be helpful in reducing unnecessary alarm.
A baby’s soft spot can look slightly raised when they are crying, straining to open their bowels, or lying down. This is usually normal and happens because of temporary changes in pressure inside the baby’s head.
What matters is whether the soft spot stays raised. If it remains visibly bulging when your baby is calm, quiet, and sitting upright, this could be a sign of a medical problem, such as meningitis or hydrocephalus, which is a build-up of fluid. Seek medical advice urgently if you notice this.
You should seek immediate medical advice if you notice; a soft spot that looks significantly sunken and is accompanied by signs of dehydration, a soft spot that is persistently raised or bulging even when your baby calm and relaxed, any worrying changes in the soft spot especially if they are accompanied by a fever, vomiting, high pitched crying, sleepiness or difficulty waking up.
The main soft spot (anterior fontanelle) usually closes over anytime between 12 and 18 months. The smaller soft spot at the back of the head (posterior fontanelle) tends to close much earlier, typically within the first few months. However, it is important to remember that each baby is unique and will develop at their own pace.
Absolutely, yes! Gentle stroking and washing of your baby’s head are perfectly safe. The membrane which protects the fontanelle is tough and durable enough to withstand the everyday care of a newborn.
You can use mild soap to wash your baby's hair and head. It's important to be gentle but you do not have to avoid the soft spot. Remember to support your baby’s head and neck, especially when lifting them or holding them upright. If you are using hats or headbands just make sure that they aren't too tight.
The soft spot on your baby’s head is a normal and important feature of their early development.
Even though it may look strange, please be assured that most changes you see; pulsation, a slight dip when they sit up, or a soft spot that's raised temporarily during a fussy episode are harmless.
Always trust your gut. Only you know your baby best. If something feels off make sure to seek medical advice.
The pulsing is blood moving through the blood vessels just underneath the skin. It is a sign of a well baby.
The anterior fontanelle is the large, diamond shaped soft spot situated on the top of the head. The posterior fontanelle is the smaller, triangle shaped soft spot located near the back of the head.
The posterior fontanelle closes first, typically by 2 to 3 months. The anterior fontanelle closes later, usually between 12 and 18 months.
You should worry if the soft spot is persistently bulging or raised when your baby is calm and relaxed. A soft spot that is raised temporarily when the baby is crying or fussing is normal.
Not always. A slightly sunken fontanelle can be normal, especially when the baby is upright. However, a noticeably sunken fontanelle is a major sign of dehydration, especially when accompanied by other symptoms like significant sleepiness or significantly fewer wet nappies.
