My Baby's Soft Spot Is Closing Early
The short answer
The anterior fontanelle (soft spot) typically closes between 9 and 18 months, though some babies' fontanelles close as early as 3 months without any problem. Early closure is only concerning if it restricts brain growth (craniosynostosis). Your pediatrician monitors head growth and fontanelle size at every visit.
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By Age
What to expect by age
The fontanelle should be open and soft. If it seems small or firm this early, your pediatrician will monitor head growth closely. A small fontanelle does not always mean early closure - some babies naturally have smaller soft spots.
Some fontanelles begin to feel smaller by this age, which can be normal. The key indicator is head growth. If head circumference continues to grow normally along its percentile, the brain has adequate room to grow.
If the fontanelle has closed and head growth is normal, this is likely benign. If head growth is slowing or the skull has an unusual shape, your pediatrician may order imaging to evaluate for craniosynostosis.
Normal closure range. Most fontanelles close between 9 and 18 months. Closure in this range is typical and not concerning if head growth is normal.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Head circumference continues to grow normally.
- Your baby is developing normally.
- The fontanelle feels smaller but head shape is normal.
- Your pediatrician is not concerned about head growth.
- The fontanelle seems to have closed before 6 months.
- You notice a ridge along skull suture lines.
- Head growth is slowing.
- Head growth has stopped or is decelerating rapidly.
- Abnormal head shape is developing alongside fontanelle closure.
Sources
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Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician.
Worrying about your baby means you care. That is a good thing.
Related Physical Concerns
My Baby's Head Growth Is Slow
Slow head growth (head circumference falling across percentile lines) warrants evaluation because it may indicate poor brain growth. However, some babies with small heads have familial microcephaly (small heads run in the family) and develop normally. Your pediatrician monitors head growth at every visit.
My Baby's Soft Spot Is Still Open
The anterior fontanelle normally closes between 9 and 18 months, but some healthy babies' fontanelles remain open until 24 months. A fontanelle that is still open beyond 18 months should be evaluated, as it can sometimes indicate conditions like rickets, hypothyroidism, or other causes. However, many late-closing fontanelles are simply a normal variant.
My Baby Seems to Use One Side More Than the Other
Babies should use both sides of their body fairly equally during the first 18 months of life. While slight preferences can be normal, a consistent pattern of favoring one side - using one arm much more than the other, crawling with one leg dragging, or turning the head predominantly one way - should always be discussed with your pediatrician. Early identification of asymmetry leads to the best outcomes.
My Baby Only Army Crawls
Army crawling (also called commando crawling) is a completely valid and normal way for babies to move. Many babies army crawl for weeks or even months before transitioning to hands-and-knees crawling, and some skip hands-and-knees crawling entirely. What matters is that your baby is independently mobile and exploring their environment.
One Side of My Baby's Body Moves Differently
Babies should generally use both sides of their body equally. If one side consistently moves differently, is weaker, stiffer, or less coordinated, this warrants evaluation. Asymmetric movement can indicate hemiplegia (cerebral palsy affecting one side), brachial plexus injury, or other neurological conditions that benefit from early therapy.
My Baby Crawls Unevenly
While some variation in crawling patterns is normal, consistently favoring one side or dragging one limb while crawling warrants attention. Babies should use both arms and both legs relatively equally when crawling. Persistent asymmetry could indicate muscle tone differences, hip issues, or neurological concerns that benefit from early evaluation.