But while they may look vulnerable, these soft spots (called fontanelles) have a special purpose.

And just like so many other aspects of the newborn phase, they won’t hang around forever.

Heres what it’s crucial that you know until they close up completely.

baby soft spot, newborn baby on mother’s chest

What are fontanelles?

Fontanelles are the membrane-covered gaps on babies' heads where bones have yet to fuse together.

Whenyour baby’s skeletonstarts developing, multiple bony plates make up her skull.

baby soft spot, newborn baby on mother’s chest

Over time, these bones will join together into a hard shell completely surrounding her brain.

Its not the only one.

Babies have another soft spot, called the posterior fontanelle, toward the back of their heads.

baby soft spot, newborn baby on mother’s chest

This gap is smaller and it closes up much earlier.

That means its okay to touch them gently.

Why do babies have soft spots?

baby soft spot, newborn baby on mother’s chest

When do fontanelles close?

Your babys soft spots wont stick around forever.

These can cause extra pressure to enter the body, making the fontanelle bulge out a bit.

baby soft spot, newborn baby on mother’s chest

Your babys fontanelle can also appear to pulse whether shes stressed or totally relaxed.

Luckily its not a cause for concern.

The temporary lack of hard covering means youre simply seeing your babys blood pulse along with her heartbeat.

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But some occasional bulging or pulsing is par for the course.

And theyll eventually go away as she gets a little older which will happen sooner than you think!

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