what do u call the breathing soft spot on baby`s head?

Question

in my country old people are saying that my baby has got a big hole so i need to give him some black medicine. is it harmful if i dont do anything? serious answers only pliz. he is 7 months now and aboy

Answer 1

The "soft spot" on your baby's head is a fontanelle, an area of the skull where the bones have not yet fused together. Underneath the skin there is a VERY thick membrane and a substance like "almost" bone, so it is not actually as fragile as you might think. Actually, if you look closely, you should notice two spots like this- one near the front top of the head, and one slightly to the rear of the head. They appear to breath because there is a large vein and artery located nearby, what you see is the pulse moving the skin. This area is absolutely normal, and necessary to have because the baby's skull is still growing. If the hole closes too soon, it can cause permanent brain damage. Normally these spots close all on their own sometime during the second year of life- although they can close as early as 7-8 months. Doctors don't get concerned unless it closes earlier or later than about 26 months of age.
Do not give you baby any kind of old home remedy to close this spot. It likely won't have any effect at all, at least not on the skull bones themselves, but could be harmful otherwise.
Leaving it alone is the wisest thing to do. There is nothing wrong with your baby boy. These soft spots are supposed to be there. The only thing about the spot you need watch is to observe it if your son gets sick. If he gets dehydrated, for lack of fluids, the spot will noticeably sink below the surface of the other skin around it. If you ever notice this, the child needs emergency attention as soon as possible.
If the baby is bald, you may notice when he gets angry or cries, the spot will buldge slightly. This is also normal, due to increased blood pressure. It may turn red or blanch white, and that is also normal.
Tell the old people that your son is perfectly fine, "hole" and all. There is no need to worry, and no need to treat anything. If it bothers you, you can always put a cap on his head. But tell them to drink their nasty black medicine themselves and keep it away from your baby.

Answer 2

Check my source link, it'll explain all. Don't worry. It's totally normal and will sort itself out.
The skull hasn't finished forming (otherwise we'd all have tiny heads) and as your baby grows the skull will too and fuse over that hole eventually (around a year old, sometimes a little later). I'd recommend you ask your doctor if you are concerned about it and how to treat it (you must be very gentle with it, don't let it get knocked or anything). Don't listen to 'old people', listen to people with medical knowledge (like your doctor). No amount of 'black medicine' is going to change that hole. It's the way it is for a reason.
That hole is actually very useful too. I work in a neonatal intensive care unit and it helps with brain scans. While babies still have their's it's one of the best times to check the brain is functioning well cos it can be seen without the skull in the way.

Answer 3

Look up fontanelle on google or similar. It's total natural and is caused by the bones of the head leaving a gap at the top to allow growth of the brain. They will slowly fuse together and the gap will close at somewhere around the age of 1. What the hell are those people on about black medicine though??? What kind of country do you live in???

Answer 4

The fontanelle or soft spot and it is normal. The bones will fuse together by a year and every baby is different. My son's was closed by 6 months and my niece was coming on for a year old. The best you can do is to leave it alone.

Answer 5

Its a fontenelle (not sure of spelling)
No dont do anything, just leave it alone. Its caused by the bones of the skull being soft for birth. At 7 months he probably doesnt have it anymore.

Answer 6

Its called a fontinelle,just means that his skull hasnt fused together yet but dont worry as all babies are born this way,makes it easier for them to get out,it will close up by his first birthday and you dont need to do anything apart from be gentle near it,trust me,i have three of my own!

Answer 7

It's where your baby's skull isn't joined together yet - the bones are flexible so it's 'easy' for them to be born. Treat it gently and don't give him any 'black' medicine (whatever that is) - it's perfectly natural and will go in time. If you're really concerned see your health visitor.

Answer 8

don't worry it is just because the plates of his skull have not yet fused together. it is perfecetly normal and does not need treatment as they will set in time.

they are not yet fused because babies grow so fast it woudl be to much for the body to handle so it is fine as he is.

btw it is not a breathing soft spot but a palpating soft spot because it is the blood being pumped to his head that you can see bulging.

Answer 9

No a soft spot is normal, it gives the baby room to grow before it forms totally! don't give the kid anything he doesn't need and if you're at all concerned see a trained medical practitioner!

Answer 10

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