Baby Fontanelles Sunken

A baby is born with several fontanels.

Baby fontanelles sunken. Signs of a sunken fontanelle or sunken soft spot if baby s fontanelle on the top of his head isn t flat but rather dips inward it means his fontanelle is sunken. They are located mainly at the top back and sides of the head. Your baby s fontanelles can appear to pulsate with their heartbeat.

For instance delayed fontanelle closure or an enlarged fontanelle can be associated with a range of medical conditions. Fontanelles allow the bones of the skull to move so the baby s head can change shape during delivery the birth canal is narrow and the movement of the bones helps the baby s head to get through. If your baby has a bulging or sunken fontanelle you need to contact their doctor immediately.

A sunken fontanel when accompanied by other symptoms can be a sign of dehydration or malnutrition. These are more commonly known as soft spots. A newborn s head is small but it grows quickly over the first two years of life.

If your baby is not eating or drinking well make sure you offer fluids often. If your baby s fontanelle is sunken bulging or enlarged it is best to contact a doctor so they can be treated. When to see a doctor.

Preventing your baby from getting dehydrated helps prevent a sunken fontanelle. Make sure you feed your baby whenever they are hungry which is called on demand feeding if your baby gets sick feed them small sips of fluids often. Some baby s fontanels always appear slightly sunken even when they are well.

But if the soft spot is significantly sunken it s usually a sign that your baby is dehydrated and needs to be given fluids immediately. There are normally several fontanelles on a newborn s skull. They provide the skull with the flexibility needed to pass through the birth canal.