Fontanelles: Understanding Soft Spots on a Baby's Head

The medical term for a soft spot on a baby's head is called a fontanelle. Fontanelles are gaps in the skull that allow the baby's head to grow and expand during birth and early infancy. The most well-known fontanelle is the anterior fontanelle, which is located at the top of the head and closes by about 18 months of age. There are also two smaller fontanelles at the back of the head, called the posterior fontanelles, which close by about 6 months of age.