Baby mole: learn to care for this sensitive area in newborns

Babies are fragile and delicate beings. Their heads, for example, continue to form until they are 18 months old or so. At the top of the baby’s head, there is a more flexible region, called the soft spot or fontanelle.

To clear all your doubts, we talked to a pediatrician, who explains everything about this sensitive part of the baby, check it out:

What is baby mole

According to pediatrician Patrícia Cruz de Carvalho (CRM: 520105306-0), moleira is the popular name for the anterior fontanelle. When passing your hand on the top of the baby’s head, you can feel a region in a diamond shape, softer and more flexible, which is the “soft spot”. There is also the posterior fontanelle, but it is usually not noticed by caregivers because it is very small.

So, if you’re a mom and found this region in your baby’s head strange, don’t worry! It is a normal phenomenon, which just requires some care.

4 frequently asked questions about the mole

Dr. Patrícia also cleared the most common doubts of moms for us. Take a look!

When does it close? Closure of the anterior fontanelle is very variable. It usually occurs between the eighth and tenth month of a baby’s life.

When is it normal? We consider the fontanelle normal when we run our fingers over the region and it is flexible. The “soft spot” is resistant enough to the gentle touch of an adult. You don’t have to be afraid to touch it. In fact, it is important to know how to differentiate the normal from the altered, so that we can always intervene early.

Tall mole or sunken mole, when to worry? When the soft spot is high and tense, not flexible, it can be a sign of increased pressure inside the skull. When the soft spot is sunken and the child is quiet, not interested in breastfeeding and with decreased peeing, we can think of dehydration. In both situations, the pediatrician’s evaluation is very important.

Pulsating moleira is normal? It is normal to feel the pulse through the soft spot. The rhythm of the heartbeat is reflected in it.

If you have any further questions to investigate, don’t hesitate to consult your baby’s pediatrician whenever you need to. He is your greatest partner in times of doubt.

care of the mole

That the soft spot is a sensitive region, we already know. Now, what care should be taken with her? We explain here:

• Frequent visits to the pediatrician: go to the pediatrician every month, religiously. The baby’s development should be monitored, and no changes should be missed.
• Measure the baby’s brain circumference: it is necessary to make this measurement in all pediatric consultations throughout the first year of life, in order to monitor the child’s development.
• Palpate the soft spot: another procedure that should be done in all pediatric visits. It is part of the baby’s routine examination.

Also read about fever in babies and get new tips for caring for your little one.