The girdle is the area of your baby’s head where the skull bones have not yet come together and closes between seven and 19 months of age. Here we give you some tips on how to take care of it.
LA MOLLERA
Your newborn’s skull is not made from “one piece”, but from different bones that come together and merge over time. It has three nozzles or fontanelles:
BACK OF SKULL: closes between the first and third month after birth.
TO THE SIDES, AT THE HEIGHT OF THE SIEN: it closes about six months after delivery.
BEHIND THE EAR, TOWARDS THE BASE OF THE SKULL: It closes between six and 18 months of age.
WHAT IS IT FOR?
• For your baby’s head to grow; thanks to the fact that the bones in it are not yet fused.
• So that the head can pass through the narrow vaginal canal; The movement of the bones makes it easier for them to mount a little on top of each other during labor.
The membrane that covers the fontanelle or nape is hard and difficult to penetrate (don’t worry so much about a slight knock); but better, avoid it.
WHAT DOES THE MOLLERA ASPECT TELL YOU?
• It swells when the baby cries.
• Tensions when changing the child’s position.
• Beats, represents the heart beat.
• Sinks when touched: dehydration alarm, see a doctor immediately!
• Domed: not an alarm), but check that it does return to its normal state.
Its appearance varies throughout the day:
PREVENTION AND CARE
• It does not require special care and nothing happens to touch it.
• Keep an eye on the size of the girdle, as well as its early or very late closure.
• Typically, the fontanelles close earlier in boys than in girls.