Me: “You know what worries me? When I hold him like this [snuggle-buggled with him clinging like a monkey to my shoulder], sometimes he pushes up with his legs and I have to move my chin real quick ’cause of his soft spot.”
Brian: “Yeah, but he’s tough.”
Me: “What do you mean?”
Brian: “He’s tough.”
Me: “Oooooooookayyyy. But we’re not talking about ‘tough’ like muscles. We’re talking about his brain. There’s no bone there yet.”
Brian: “Yeah, but he’s tough.”
Me: “What do you mean?”
Brian: “Skin is tough. See?”
At this point, Brian proceeded to poke his arm and his chest to prove to me – in case I wasn’t aware – that forcefully touching skin does not in fact cause it to separate, spilling the contents within.
Brian: “See? It’s elastic.”
Point taken. Thanks for the anatomy lesson, Brian.
Me: “Exactly. And it’s going to give way to my chin.”
Not sure if you knew this yet, but men and women don’t think the same… Or at least Brian and I don’t.
I’m sure you’ve read numerous texts on soft spots, believe me, but here is a relatively simple one Brian may want to consult. It does give consideration to not having undue fear but being reasonable about pressure. Just scroll down.
Your baby’s soft spot likely won’t close until he is eighteen to twenty-four months old, although it can sometimes close as early as nine months.
Until then, it is fine to gently touch them when you wash your baby’s head or caress your baby. The soft spots are actually covered by a thick membrane. So although there is no bone in that area yet, you won’t do any harm if you are gentle. You shouldn’t go out of your way to put direct pressure of push on your baby’s soft spot though.
There are actually two soft spots. The larger one in the front of the babies head, the anterior fontanel, that most parents are familiar with, and a much smaller posterior fontanel. This smaller soft spot is near the back of your child’s head and closes by the time your baby is six to eight weeks old.
Your pediatrician will check your baby’s fontanels at his well child checkups, but if your are considered that they are staying open longer than they are supposed to or are closing too early, then be sure to ask about it.
Until they close, your baby’s soft spot should appear flat and not sunken or bulging. A sunken soft spot can be a sign of dehydration, especially if your baby also has other symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and poor feeding, while a bulging soft spot can be a sign of meningitis or hydrocephalus.
Didn’t realize this has some mistakes in spelling and grammar. Sorry. I can’t take it back now! Dislike sending it though! Should have proofed!!!!
You’re a good Momma, and he’s a good Daddy … you guys are gonna balance each other out very well. š
LOL, even after 8 kids, I still get a bit squiggy when I see (and feel!) the pulse in the soft spot! I’m with you–even though I know theoretically (well, and practically by this point, LOL), that babies really ARE pretty tough!
I think mom may have already mentioned this but watch out for your chin b/c when that soft spot becomes hard it’s gonna hurt. May accidentally bite your tongue a time or two also. Dodge, turn, bob and weave. LOL. Wait until he sees mommy’s shiny earrings and such.