Is it normal for the baby’s fontanelle to close at three months old?

The top of the baby's head is not smooth and appears to have some gaps. At this time, the baby's head is very fragile. Parents must do a good job of protecting it to avoid collisions with the baby's head. When washing the baby's hair, the force must be very gentle. As the baby grows up, the fontanelle on the head will slowly close, and then the baby's head will become smooth. Some babies' fontanelles are closed when they are three months old. Is this normal?

Is it normal for the baby’s fontanelle to close at three months old?

After the baby is born, careful mothers will always find that the baby's fontanelle has not yet closed completely. At this time, you cannot use heavy objects to hit the baby's fontanelle, otherwise it will have a great impact on the baby's intellectual development and growth. Some babies have closed fontanelles at three months old. Is it normal for a three-month-old baby to have closed fontanelles?

Is it normal for a three-month-old baby’s fontanelle to close?

When a baby is born, the skull is not fully developed, so there are gaps between the bones, and two areas not covered by bones are formed on the top of the head and behind the occipital bone, which are called the anterior fontanelle and posterior fontanelle respectively.

When a normal baby is born, the size of the anterior fontanelle is about 1.5×2cm. Generally speaking, the anterior fontanelle is basically closed when the baby is 1 to 1 year and 3 months old. The posterior fontanelle is generally not noticeable and usually closes 2-3 months after birth.

What are the reasons for premature or late closure of the fontanelle?

1. The early or late closure of the fontanelle is the main factor to measure the development of the skull. Closure that is too early or too late is a manifestation of abnormal growth and development. In traditional Chinese medicine, a protruding fontanelle is called "fontanelle filling", a sunken fontanelle is called "fontanelle depression", and a delayed closure of the fontanelle is called "cranioclonus". Late closure of the fontanelle is often seen in infants with rickets, hydrocephalus, cretinism and rapid growth.

2. The fontanelle on the top of the infant's head usually closes at 12-18 months. The closure of the fontanelle is a window that reflects the development of the brain. If it closes before 6 months, it means that the child may have microcephaly or brain underdevelopment.

3. If the fontanelle has not closed after 18 months, it is too late. Such children may have hydrocephalus, rickets and cretinism; a bulging fontanelle indicates increased intracranial pressure, and such children may have meningitis, encephalitis and vitamin A poisoning; a child with a sunken fontanelle may be suffering from dehydration and malnutrition.

4. If the fontanelle closes early, there is no need to worry as long as the head circumference is still growing. If you find that the fontanelle is closed abnormally, you should take your child to the hospital immediately for further examination.

If the baby's fontanelle closes abnormally, parents should take the child to the hospital for examination as soon as possible. If the fontanelle closes too early or too late, it will be detrimental to the baby's growth. The above is the introduction about "Is it normal for a three-month-old baby's fontanelle to close?" Mothers must pay attention to this issue while taking care of their babies.