How to care for the fontanelle of a newborn?

The fontanelle is extremely important for newborns. It can be said to be the window of the newborn's frontal skull. Because the bones of the newborn have not yet completed closure, the baby's fontanelle is still relatively soft at this time. If you observe carefully, you will find that the surface of the fontanelle will jump with the baby's breathing. Experts say that the fontanelle of a newborn is relatively fragile and must be cared for specially. It can be cleaned regularly, but not casually and the movements must be gentle. Do not scratch it randomly like adults do when washing their hair. The water temperature must also be appropriate, not too hot or too cold, and do not use soap with too strong an alkaline content.

1. What is the halogen door

The fontanelle is correctly called the fontanelle or the forehead fontanelle. Some people also call it the top of the head. The fontanelle is equivalent to the window of the newborn's skull. It is located in the middle of the top of the baby's head. The bones of a newborn baby have not yet closed and are usually soft. If you observe carefully, you can see the fontanelle beating with weak breathing. Therefore, the fontanelle is very weak at this time and is particularly vulnerable to injury.

2. Special care for the fontanelle of newborns

Because the fontanelle of a newborn is relatively soft and has no skull to protect it, it requires special protection during care to avoid brain damage. Newborns can be washed after a period of time, but not casually. The movements must be slow and gentle, and you cannot scratch and scratch like adults when washing their hair.

When washing your hair, do not use water that is too hot; warm water is enough. Your baby's skin is delicate, so do not use irritating soaps. Some babies may have some yellow-brown greasy scales on the front of their scalp. You should first apply some vegetable oil on them with sterilized cotton and then wipe them off after they soften. Be gentle during the whole process.

3. The impact of fontanelle closure on the baby

Generally, whether the fontanelle is closed or how early it closes is a reflection of the development of the newborn's skull. If the fontanelle closes too early or too late, it can be regarded as an abnormality in the newborn's growth and development. However, these two situations need to be treated separately. The baby's fontanelle can usually be closed 12-18 months after birth. If it is closed before 6 months, the baby sometimes has incomplete brain development; if it does not close after 18 months, it is easy to cause rickets, hydrocephalus or cretinism. If this happens, be sure to go to the hospital for examination as soon as possible.