What purpose do a baby’s fontanelles on their head have?

Postnatal, Your questions

Updated article on October 16th, 2019.

I saw a soft hole on my baby’s head. I know it’s normal, but I wanted to see if it’s dangerous for my baby if we touch it. Is it? And why is it there?

Amélie


There are two fontanelles on a baby’s head. One is on the top, which is called the anterior and shaped like a diamond. The second is smaller and shaped like a triangle, and is called the posterior fontanelle because it’s normally on the back of the skull. These two openings are essential for skull mobility during childbirth and expansion as the baby’s brain develops. These portions of the skull are softer and more fragile, but won’t be harmed by regular daily movements, so don’t worry! For 96% of babies born at term, the larger fontanelle will close by 24 months, and the smaller around 4 months.


I hope this helps!
Talk soon,

Marie
The Baby Expert

Discover our videos

Subscribe to a monthly or quarterly package now to access full videos.

The Calming Dance

The Calming Dance

Your baby is inconsolable, and you’ve tried everything. Have you tried the calming dance? With simple movements, this dance can
Prenatal Yoga

Prenatal Yoga

Doing yoga during pregnancy is both possible and a great idea. In addition to soothing discomfort during pregnancy and feeling
The Bottle

The Bottle

Would you like to give your baby a bottle but don’t know where to start? Marie meets Sakouna Phouttama, a
Prematurity

Prematurity

In this video, I am accompanied by Dr. Véronique G. Dorval, a neonatologist and director of the Neonatal Clinic at