My daughter was born full term but she was only 4.5lbs and 12oz. Her posterior fontanels have not closed yet and she is 3months. The doctor looked at her and does not believe they will close by 4 months. She is doing everything on schedule. She is cooing, smiling laughing, eating like a champ and very alert. I think that it will take longer for them to close becuase of her weight at birth, but the doctors concerns are begining to concern me more and more. Has anyone dealt with this? Any thoughts?
From what I've read, the fontanels for most children are finished closing by 18 months. My son still had a slight soft spot on top of his head when he started walking just after his 1st birthday and he was 9 lbs 2 oz at birth. By his 2 yr checkup, they said he had no soft spots left.
Hi C.,
Don't let the Doctor's concerns worry you too much, they try to prepare us for the worst. When I was pregnant with my last one, I was told that she had hydrocephales and was missing the part of the brain that separates the two hemispheres (which was not accurate). They prepared me to have a totally handicapped child and the likelihood that she would not live long after birth. I have a beautiful, healthy 5 year old girl now and they determined at 3 yrs old that her ventricles were large but normal for her and she is perfect. Had I listened to the doctors I would have terminated the pregnancy so I am thankful to God everyday that I look at my little girl.
the only thing i have to contribute is that are you absolute positive of your date of conception? I think this is often an issue that people do not think about. if you were off w/ your date of conception then your daughter could acutally have been premature instead of full term. and that might help explain this issue....
just a thought.
Hi C.,
Posterior fontanels should definately be closed by the time the baby is 4 months old. The fontanel on top of their head should be closed by the time the child is btw 12mo-2years.
I don't want to worry you but yes, it is a big deal if the posterior fontanel is not closed. The doctors will probably want to do an MRI just to take a closer look at things and then go from there. It's great that she is developmentally on target! Just protect her head if she falls backwards or anything of the sort. Place some pillows around her if she is trying to sit up right now. My little one was sitting up at 4 months so some do start early.
And one last thing...your last response regarding praying and waiting...well it's the best thing you can do. Try to leave it in God's hands He loves your little one so much more than you could ever imagine!
If there is nothing you can do to help speed the process, all you can do is wait, pray and continue to love and care for her. Ask the dr. what happens if they do not close so you and your husband can prepare for anything that must take place at that time. Meanwhile, why worry about something that might not be an issue? There's more than enough to worry about with a newborn. Take it one day at a time and deal with each situation as it arises.
I always thought that babies could have them until 2 yrs old? Look it up on the internet and don't let a Dr worry you.
