If you’ve ever gently touched the top of your baby’s head and noticed a soft, slightly squishy area, you’ve found one of your baby’s fontanelles, commonly called “soft spots.” While they can feel surprising at first, fontanelles are a completely normal, purposeful, and essential part of your baby’s development.
Understanding what fontanelles are, why they exist, and how they change over time can help you feel more confident as you care for your baby during those early months and beyond.
What Is a Fontanelle?
A fontanelle is a soft, membranous gap between the bones of a baby’s skull. At birth, a baby’s skull is not one solid piece. Instead, it is made up of several bones that are connected by flexible tissue called sutures. Where multiple sutures meet, fontanelles form.
These soft spots allow for:
Flexibility during birth, so the baby’s head can gently mold as it passes through the birth canal
Rapid brain growth, which happens most intensely during the first year of life
Rather than being a weak point, fontanelles are a brilliant design feature of the human body, supporting both birth and early neurological development.
How Many Fontanelles Does a Baby Have?
Babies are born with six fontanelles, though two are the most noticeable and commonly discussed:
Anterior Fontanelle (Front Soft Spot)
Located on the top of the head, toward the front
Shaped like a diamond
Usually the largest and most noticeable
Closes later than the others
Posterior Fontanelle (Back Soft Spot)
Located at the back of the head
Smaller and triangular
Often closes much earlier
The remaining fontanelles are smaller and typically close before or shortly after birth.
Developmental Stages of a Baby’s Fontanelles
Fontanelles change gradually as your baby grows and their skull bones slowly fuse together. While timing can vary slightly from baby to baby, there are general developmental patterns.
Newborn Stage 
At birth, fontanelles are at their largest and softest.
The anterior fontanelle may measure about 2 to 3 centimeters across
The posterior fontanelle is usually much smaller
Skull bones remain flexible after birth as the head reshapes from the birthing process
It’s normal for fontanelles to feel soft or slightly sunken when a baby is upright and to appear more full when they are lying down or crying.
1–3 Months
During the first few months:
Skull bones begin slowly moving closer together
The posterior fontanelle often starts to shrink noticeably
The anterior fontanelle remains open to accommodate brain growth
Babies’ heads are growing rapidly during this time, which is why the soft spots are still very important.
3–6 Months
This is when many parents notice changes:
The posterior fontanelle usually closes completely
The anterior fontanelle becomes slightly smaller but remains soft and flexible
Head shape becomes more rounded and stable
Your baby’s brain is continuing to grow at an incredible pace, and the fontanelles allow that growth to happen safely.
6–12 Months
During the second half of the first year:
The anterior fontanelle continues to shrink
The edges may feel firmer as bones gradually fuse
The soft spot may look smaller but should still have some give
By this stage, babies are sitting, crawling, and sometimes walking, while their skull continues strengthening to protect the growing brain.
12–18 Months (and Beyond)
For most babies:
The anterior fontanelle closes between 12 and 18 months
Some babies may take a bit longer, even up to 24 months
Closure happens gradually, not suddenly
Once closed, the skull bones have fused enough to provide solid protection while still allowing normal head growth.
Is It Safe to Touch a Baby’s Fontanelle?
Yes. Gently touching or washing your baby’s head will not harm them. The fontanelle is protected by a strong membrane, not exposed brain tissue.
That said:
Use gentle pressure when handling your baby’s head
Avoid firm pressing or poking
Normal daily care like bathing, brushing hair, or cuddling is completely safe
When Should Parents Be Concerned?
Most fontanelle variations are normal, but it’s helpful to know what may warrant a conversation with a healthcare provider:
A fontanelle that appears very sunken, which may indicate dehydration
A fontanelle that appears bulging when the baby is calm, which could signal pressure inside the skull
Fontanelles that close very early or remain wide open much longer than expected
Routine pediatric checkups include monitoring head growth and fontanelle development, so concerns are often caught early.
Conclusion
Fontanelles are a reminder of just how adaptable and resilient babies are as they grow and develop. These soft spots support birth, protect brain development, and slowly change as your baby grows into toddlerhood. Fontanelles are a normal and temporary part of early life. With time, they quietly do their job and disappear, leaving behind a strong, protective skull to support your child’s continued growth.
The information within the Hypnobabies website, courses, or social media content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please seek consultations from healthcare professionals to receive personalized advice or treatment.
