My bf's daughter is 15 months old. Her frontal soft spot has not changed in size in many months. It is about the size of a half dollar and still sinks into her head. We only have her every other weekend, but have taken her to a dr in our town in regards to this. They said it can take up to the age of 2 to close. The sinking into the head is typically a sign of dehydration. Her mother however says she is fine and it is normal. I did some research on this online and found that it can also be a sign of several disorders. I'm a little concerned for her sake and feel helpless because of the fact I am not her parent and her father's rights are limited because of the power his ex wife assumes in their relationship with their children...any input??
Thank you all for your responses. I guess it's normal for her. It's just new to me even after 4 kids. None of my boys were like that. She's not a very happy baby. She is almost always crying the entire time she's with us. Personally I think she is going through seperation anxiety from her mother. As far as dehydration, I don't think she has that problem. I honestly do not know. She eats very quickly and seems hungry constantly. We give her diluted juice, plain water, and whole milk in her sippy cup. But it just seems like she's never satisfied. We do all we can to keep her comfortable and happy with us but it doesn't seem to happen. The entire scenario is very difficult and frustrating but we make the best of what we get. I have many concerns when it comes to his children, but I also have no say...I am a "3rd party" in this....
You've done exactly what you should do, you took her to the doctor. Is she acting like a normal 15 month old, busy and not tired. If she was dehydrated she would feel tired all the time. She is probalby just fine. I wouldn't worry about it so much and just give her the best care when you're with her.
I think you are reading too much into the situation. It is very common for frontal fontanelle closure to occur during the second year of age. The brain is still growing in size. This is the reason Toddlers all of a sudden appear to have "big heads". The reason we reference them as being "top heavy". The brain is still growing and the plates need to shift to accomadate this growth. Now if she were 15 months old and the posterior fontanelle remained open without closure, I may be a little concerned. If she is developing typical; able to sit, crawl, play and walk short distances, I would not be worried at all. If she is able to interact with her enviroment, especially recognize people, she is fine. Many times kids "soft spots" appear to be sunken in when they truly are not. If it is sunken due to dehydration, then it will quickly self-correct once she is hydrated. If she is wetting diapers, she does not have a hydration issue. If it is sunken because of developmental disorders, these are pretty prevelant and you would be more worried about the other delays than her "soft spot". The other disorders that may have a decompressed soft spot as a symptom are so profound disorders, you would have known at birth or shortly after. So if she is thriving, I say just relax and enjoy your time with her as it goes waaay too fast. Take a breath and know it is normal.... Stay off the computer; I tell my parents at work all the time; "Parents who web search sometimes have an 'overload disorder ' & the children are usually have sytoms of that." Enjoy her and have him spend the time he has with her as quality wonderful relaxing memories & not tote her to the doctor (unless of course she were to become ill) and stop making anxiety doctor memories with the baby. He wants her to associate the time with him as Magical & not Clinical. I understand your concern, but this time I do think you have no reason for concern. Good Luck! (((HUGS))))
If you've taken her to the dr I wouldn't worry. When my older daughter was 15 months, she has to have a head ultrasound to check because she had 2 and her head circumference was measuring big. It can be very normal. The sinking in because of dehydration is probably more pronounced than what you are seeing now. If you're still worried at 2 then take her to another dr.
Is there a formal custody agreement between them regarding the kids? if there isn't, there probably should be so that he can try to ensure his kids' safety as much as possible. I'm no expert, but i'm a bit concerned by the mother's lack of concern for her daughter. The doctor is right about how it can take up to the age of 2 for it to close, but also if the daughter is dehydrated when she comes to you on the weekends, that means the mother is probably not giving her enough to drink, which is certainly a concern in itself. my suggestion would be for him to get a legal custody agreement if there isn't one - he may even end up with more rights if you guys can prove that she may not be taking care of the daughter enough. good luck!
Two my my kids did the same thing.. My two year olds is just now to where you can't feel it anymore. I think she will be fine.
My oldest nephew was the same exact way! We took him to the Dr. and asked about it on every well-child check-up...apparently it is somewhat common. As long as you've had it checked and the child seems to be progressing normally, I wouldn't worry about it!
~We could actually see my nephews heartbeat through the top of his head...it would pulse and throb...it was so freaky looking! It didn't help that he was completely bald till he was almost 2!
Each child is different... don't ask for trouble when there doesn't appear to be any. You took her to the Dr.. Dr says she is fine. Unless she is showing some appearance other than the soft spot on her head (my son's didn't close until he was 2 or a bit older) and yes we had to be a bit more careful about it but not overly so. Don't worry.. you are getting yourself upset by all the information that is out there of what it could possible be. Quit looking for something that isn't there! Good Luck!
My son's soft spot didn't close for a really long time -- maybe close to the age of 2. It's normal.
Our son still had his soft spot at 15 months. Dr felt it, mentioned that it was still there and that was the end of it. He didn't mention any concerns so I never thought any more of it.
It can be a sign of dehydration when it is sunken in, but is it always like that? If you have her for the weekend and are monitoring her fluid intake and she is peeing frequently and the soft spot still feels the same, it is probably just her normal.
Did your dr say that she wasn't fine or normal? Is that why you are worried?
If you feel in your gut that something is wrong, take her to another doctor. Better to have your concerns put to rest. As long as he hasn't legally terminated his parental rights, the father has a right to take his child to the doctor, regardless of the power dynamic in the relationship.
If she isn't showing any other developmental delays, it could certainly be normal for her. It is a sign of dehydration, but it will correct itself fairly quickly once a child is rehydrated. Do you notice a difference after she's spent some time with you? Is she still wetting several diapers a day? A child with a sunken fontanel due to dehydration isn't going to pee very much (if at all).
Unless there is some particular about their divorce/custody decree, your boyfriend has a right to be informed about any medical issues. He may be able to request the child's medical records and see if it has been addressed with the child's regular doctor. For all you know she was worried about it too, had it checked out, and is now maybe being defensive because of the situation.
