What are fontanels?

Fontanels are soft spots on a baby's head that allow for growth. Infants are born with fontanels to accommodate the rapid growth of the brain during the early months of life. These areas are made of a dense and flexible connective tissue rather than bone, which is essential for enabling the skull to pass through the birth canal during delivery and also for allowing the skull to expand as the baby's brain grows.

The presence of fontanels plays a vital role in the overall development of the infant, as they provide the necessary space for the brain to grow and for the skull to appropriately shape itself during early development stages. Over time, fontanels gradually close as the bones of the skull fuse, typically by the time the child reaches two years old.