The Baby’s Soft Spot – The Fontanel

February 26th, 2012 Posted in Babies
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New mothers have to understand their baby’s soft spot which is called the fontanel.  This is the soft spot that is seen and felt on top of a baby’s head. This part allows the bony plates that comprise the skull to be flexible so that the baby’s head may be able to get through the limited dimension of the birth canal. However, the soft spot or the fontanel closes when the baby is about 18 to 24 months old.

A new mother may be scared or hesitant to touch her baby’s soft spot or the fontanel. This part is made up of materials that are fibrous and it covers the brain of the baby just beneath the top of the head. Though it is soft to touch, it is able to protect the baby’s brain. The structure of the fontanel also protects the baby when he or she falls head down first. This is often the case as babies’ heads are quite bigger and heavier than the other parts of their body.

Although the sizes of the baby’ soft spot or fontanels vary, extra large ones may indicate some medical conditions. Further tests and medical examinations may be needed for babies that are found out to have some medical conditions. At times the condition of the fontanel may tell something more about the health of the baby. As such, when a mother observes her baby’s soft spot or fontanel to appear sunken, it may indicate that the baby is dehydrated.

When the fontanel is bulging, this may indicate that there is pressure building in the brain of the baby. However, mothers have to make sure so they need to bring their babies to their pediatricians or to medical doctors to determine what may be causing it. Though the fontanel may be the baby’s soft spot, it is safe for the new mother to touch it and to wash the hair on it at bath time.

Though the fontanel is expected to close at a certain time, premature closing may also happen. In some instances it may not close even if the baby has reached 27 months already. In any of the cases, mothers will have to bring their babies to their doctors for proper diagnosis and treatment if necessary. New mothers do not have to worry about the baby’s soft spot or the fontanel. In time, it will close and as their babies grow and develop.

 

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Baby Gas Problems

February 24th, 2012 Posted in Babies
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Mothers may often experience dealing with baby gas problems with their infants. Though it is but natural for babies to have gas, some of them have more than others. However, this could be an uncomfortable condition for babies especially when they feel its most common symptoms such as abdominal bloating, hard belly or burping frequently.  Sometimes babies may also have hiccups or spit-ups that may cause the baby to feel irritable and restless. Babies may also experience flatulence or the passing of gas.

Baby gas problems may be caused by various factors. Babies take in air in different ways and this may find its way to the digestive system. Gas may also be produced right there in the digestive tract because of breast milk or infant formula. Babies may have gas as lactose and proteins are digested. At times baby gas problems may have been passed on from mothers who may have eaten legumes or cruciferous vegetables or even citrus fruits that contain too much acid.  Mothers who may have included dairy products may also contribute to the gas problems of their babies especially when they breastfeed them.

Some experts believe that gas may have been passed from the breastfeeding mothers to their babies. It is also possible that breastfeeding mothers may be producing too much foremilk which has a higher content of water and lactose. When babies take foremilk that is more than what they need, they may experience stomach cramps. Babies have to get more of the hind milk which is richer in nutrients than that of the foremilk. Babies may also develop hyper-lactation syndrome when they get more of the foremilk instead of the hind milk. This condition may be observed through fast weight gain and more baby gas problems to deal with.

However, babies who are bottle-fed are not spared from baby gas problems. They may also take in air bubbles while sucking milk from their feeding bottles. Mothers are advised to burp their babies every five minutes while breastfeeding or bottle-feeding them. Those who choose to feed their babies with infant formula have to see to it that they make use of the right size of nipples to lessen the possibility of their babies’ gulping some air. Mothers should also see to it that their babies are not exposed to stress from the environment as this can also cause disturbances in the functions of the digestive system especially during feeding time.

Although crying may just be normal for babies, mothers should check what the problem may be. Prolonged crying may also cause baby gas problems especially when babies take in a lot of air which may be trapped in their tummies. Mothers also need to introduce solid foods slowly so that the digestive system of their babies are able to adjust to it as some kinds of food can cause gas problems in babies. Baby gas problems may be expected by mothers but there are some things that they can do to lessen its occurrence and the discomfort that their babies may suffer from.

 

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Misshapen Heads in Infants

February 20th, 2012 Posted in Babies
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Most parents also worry about problems concerning misshapen heads in infants. At first they may not see this happening to their babies not until a few months when it starts showing. Parents have to understand that at birth, the skulls of their babies are still soft and pressure that is exerted on the same area for quite some time will cause it to be flattened or to be misshapen. The most common problem of misshapen heads in infants is called positional plagiocephaly. Parents may expect their babies to develop this condition if they let their babies spend a lot of time on their backs especially when their heads are pressed against a very firm mattress.

Although parents were advised that it is safer to put babies to sleep on their backs rather than on their bellies, more misshapen heads in infants have resulted. Parents will have to take note that they need to prevent infant death with supine position for sleeping, they also have to see to it that their babies do not develop positional plagiocephaly. Parents may also be told not to worry about misshapen head in infants as they normally round back on their own when the babies reach about six months.

However, parents may need to consult their doctors about it so that corrective measures on misshapen heads in infants may be done earlier. Parents may also seek solution from pediatric plastic surgeons in severe cases. Doctors may also recommend baby helmets to correct the problem. They may also advice some therapy to reposition the babies’ heads in mild cases. Parents will be advised to change their babies’ position from time to time especially when they are sleeping. This will also help parents to prevent pressure on one area as it causes the misshapen heads in infants as babies have the tendency to sleep in the same position that they are comfortable with.

Aside from changing positions of the babies when they are asleep to prevent misshapen heads in infants, parents can also alternate positions when they are bottle feeding their babies. They may also try to prevent this problem by not leaving their babies too long in car or infant seats and also in baby swings or baby carriers. Likewise, they may also put their babies on their bellies when the infants are awake. This may also serve as exercise time for the babies where they can strengthen their neck muscles and avoid the development of misshapen heads in infants. Doctors may also recommend to parents to follow other forms of therapy for the babies to improve the strength of their necks and avoid this type of condition.

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