There is also lots of information on nappies, giving your baby a bath and teeth development. Excessive crying could be a sign that your baby has colic. Everyone agrees that colic exists but no one knows what causes it. Some doctors think it's a kind of stomach cramp. Read more on healthdirect website. Colic is a pattern of unexplained, excessive crying in an otherwise healthy and well-fed baby and happens to 1 in 5 Australian babies.
Read more on myDr website. New parents often worry that they don't know what to do. However, there are practical ways to deal with the challenges so you can enjoy your baby more. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is not responsible for the content and advertising on the external website you are now entering. Video call. This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.
The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional. For more information, please visit the links below:. You are welcome to continue browsing this site with this browser. Some features, tools or interaction may not work correctly. There is a total of 5 error s on this form, details are below. Please enter your name Please enter your email Your email is invalid.
Medically Reviewed by Micah Resnick, M. Medical Review Policy All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. These fragile-seeming gaps on your little one's head allow her brain to grow and grow, but they won't stay open forever. Back to Top. In This Article. Continue Reading Below. Read This Next. View Sources. Mayo Clinic, Dehydration, September First Year. First Year Groups.
Go to Your Baby's Age. These spaces allow the bones to overlap as the baby moves through the pelvis in late pregnancy and during labor. Learn why fontanelles are important, how to care for them, when they close, and what to look for if you are concerned about them. Although they may seem like undeveloped areas of your baby's head, fontanelles are actually a critical part of normal infant development.
They serve two important roles for your child. A newborn has two fontanelles:. The skull bones do not completely close during childhood because the brain still needs room to grow. However, once the bones grow to the point that they fill in the open spaces, the fontanelles are considered closed. Fontanelles close in this order:. The list above is a range of average closure times. A fontanelle can close earlier or later and still be normal.
Here are some of the things you should know. Although the soft spot is a space between the skull bones, a tough membrane over the opening protects the soft tissue and the brain inside. So you can:. As with all other aspects of caring for your infant , always make sure to handle your baby gently.
With practice, you'll develop more confidence. As long as you do not put pressure on your baby's soft spot, you don't need to worry that you're hurting them. Here are what some changes in their fontanelles could mean. It is normal for the fontanelle to have a slight inward curve. Your child can become dehydrated if they:. Other signs of dehydration include not producing enough urine, excessive sleepiness, irritability, dry mouth, and crying without tears. Dehydration in newborns and young children is considered a medical emergency.
As mentioned above, it is normal for a baby's fontanelle to be slightly raised when they are crying or vomiting. Both of these actions briefly increase the pressure inside the skull. A bulging fontanelle could mean there is a buildup of fluid or swelling in the brain.
These are dangerous conditions that require immediate medical treatment. A soft spot that is abnormally large or does not close within the expected time frame can be a sign of certain medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, Down syndrome , or rickets a condition caused by vitamin D deficiency. If you are concerned that your baby's soft spot has not closed after about 1 year of age, talk to your pediatrician.
Your pediatrician will be monitoring your baby's fontanelles in every checkup from birth until they are closed. If you are worried about their size or appearance, be sure to voice your concerns.
It is possible, although rare, for the fontanelles to close too early. Sometimes the soft spots cannot be felt easily and may seem closed, but they are still open.
Premature fusing of the skull bones is a condition called craniosynostosis. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC report that very mild cases of craniosynostosis may not need treatment, in many cases surgery is required to relieve the pressure and allow the brain to grow normally.
0コメント