why do babys have the soft spot on the top of their head?

Answer 1

In human anatomy, a fontanelle (or fontanel) is one of two "soft spots" on a newborn human's skull. There are, however, two more fontanelles of interest, the mastoid fontanelle, and the sphenoidal fontanelle.

The skull of a newborn consists of five main bones: two frontal bones, two parietal bones, and one occipital bone. These are joined by fibrous sutures, which allow movement that facilitates childbirth and brain growth.

At birth, the skull features a small posterior fontanelle, an open area covered by a tough membrane, where the two parietal bones adjoin the occipital bone (at the lambda). This fontanelle usually closes during the first several months of an infant's life.

There is also a much larger, diamond-shaped anterior fontanelle where the two frontal and two parietal bones abut. This fontanelle remains open until the child is about two years of age. In cleidocranial dysostosis it is often late in closing or never closes.

The anterior fontanelle is useful clinically. Examination of an infant includes palpating the anterior fontanelle. A sunken fontanelle indicates dehydration, whereas a very tense or bulging anterior fontanelle indicates raised intracranial pressure.

Parents may worry that their infant may be more prone to injury at the fontanelles. In fact, although they may colloquially be called "soft-spots", the membrane covering the fontanelles is extremely tough and difficult to penetrate.

Answer 2

When a baby is born their skull is in multiple pieces so it can travel through the birthing canal easier. Eventually the bones will fuse together if you feel around on your head you will more than likely find a soft spot on your own skull if you were to receive a blow to this soft spot it would more than likely kill you because there is minimal protection between the blow and your brain.

Answer 3

When the baby comes through the birth canal, the plates in the head need to be able to shift in order to fit. The soft spot give the head the ability to flex a little to assist the baby on its way out.

Answer 4

Babies have 2 soft spots. One on the top of the head and one in the back of the head.
The plates in a baby's scull are not fused so they can shift as the baby's head passes through the birth canal.

Answer 5

Babies' soft spot or fontanelle is the point where three plates that form the skull overlap so they can pass easily through the birth canal. As babies grow, you will notice that the size of the soft spot changes. As the skull grows and hardens, the bones begin to fuse, then eventually the hole will close.

Answer 6

When babies are in the birth canal, their heads have to be soft enough to push their way threw and out into the world. I believe there are 3 soft spots that over a year or two will fuse together and become hard.

Here are some websites that can give you more information from a professional perspective. :-)

Hope this helps you.

Answer 7

When babies are born their bones are still soft. There are three bones in the skull that are mushed together during delivery (some newborns look like coneheads) so that the baby can fit through the birth canal. The gap between these bones is the soft spot. As the baby grows and his bones harden this will be filled in.

Answer 8

i'm particular he will be ok, did the child tutor any symptoms of discomfort or misery at the same time as this handed off? if no longer he's probable advantageous. verify for any marks and bruising and if he's delicate to the contact in the realm then next time he has a verify up in basic terms mension it or in case your apprehensive then take him to work out the nurse. in basic terms be sure you also clarify for your 5 year old that the hot infant ought to be dealt with gently and heavily because he can truly be damage. Did your 5 year old try this by technique of coincidence or replaced into it on purpose? If it wasnt an coincidence then perhaps it is an illustration that he feels slightly handed over because right this moment the hot infant is probable getting truly some interest. if it is the case, make the 5 year old sense like he helps you and your spouse to look after the child by technique of giving him little jobs as this may help him to bond with the hot infant. best of success and Congratulations on your infant boy! :D

Answer 9

bbaies have soft spots due to their skulls not forming completly to allow the head pass though the birth canel. itll take up to a year for the borns in the skull to completely form.

Answer 10

because their skulls have to compress to exit the womb, if they didnt have a soft spot their head would get crushed from the force.