When should my babies soft spot close??

Question

Just wondering if any parents can give me an idea of when my 7 mo. old soft spot should close and I know that io should ask the doctor, but personal experience is good too.

Answer 1

From babycenter.com, a good resource for pregnant or new moms:

Question: What are these soft spots on my baby's head?

Answer: They're called fontanels. Most babies have two of them, one on the top of the head and one a little further back. You can sometimes see or feel a pulse beneath them. These areas are where the bones of your child's skull have not yet grown together. This flexible arrangement allows the skull to compress during labor and to continue to grow during the early years of life. The rear fontanel usually closes within four months, while the front one does not close until the child is at least a year old. Don't be afraid to touch these spots gently; they're covered with a tough membrane to protect the delicate contents underneath.

Answer 2

The soft spot is caused by the bones in the head not being fused together yet. It should close around the babies first birthday. If it closes too early it can cause serious problems.

That is part of the reason they want the baby to remain in a lay down backwards facing car seat until they are at least 1 year of age. It is to help protect the head in case of an auto accident.

The only reason I know this is because I have a 2 year old granddaughter who was 10 pounds at birth and had out grown her infant car seat at 7 months.

Answer 3

Well first off, a baby has two soft spots. One on the top of there little head and one in the back of there head. A lot of people don't even know about the one in the back of there head. The one on top tends to close before the other. IT should be closed by the time there 12 months. It stays open until then.
If your still questioning when it should happen, just call your pediatrician and ask over the phone and they will be able to tell you.

Answer 4

I would have to agree with the others who say it varies, every child is different and not every child's soft spot will go away by 12 months. I honestly can't remember when my daughters went away but I think it was around 12 months. My first born had a huge head and his didn't go away until he was 18-19 months. My doctor never thought there was a problem nor did I. I think it was because he had a large head and therefore it took longer, but that's just a guess - my daughters soft spot was not as large as my son's and I figure smaller head smaller spot.

It will happen when it happens, you probably won't notice right away, one day you with rub his/her head and it won't be there anymore. Enjoy your child they are so sweet at that age and the time just seems to scream by.

Answer 5

Well my son is 1 year and his soft spot is very very tiny but from what I understand your soft spot isnt complety gone until your 20's. I think that is when the bones completly fuse together. You probibly shouldnt feel it anymore after they are around 2ish. My sons is smaller than my thumb to the first knuckle.

Answer 6

Anywhere between the ages of 1-2. My daughter recently had her 18 month check where they said it was pretty much closed, so, there you go. It's going to vary from child to child.

Answer 7

It takes about 1 year.

Answer 8

My son's pediatrician said it should close up around one year. Basically, the plates in the baby's head have to grow together over time as they develop.

Answer 9

the soft spot should close by twelve months...although my sons is still open a little bit.. so I would say that it should be mostly closed around twelve months of age...

Answer 10

Sometimes it takes over a year. It all depends on the baby.