2 min read · A remarkably clever design for birth and beyond
Your newborn's head may look slightly different from what you imagined immediately after birth.
There is a fascinating reason.
Your baby's skull is not one solid piece of bone.
Instead, it is made from several bony plates connected by flexible areas called sutures.
Why aren't the skull bones fused together yet?
The flexibility serves two important purposes.
First, the skull bones can move slightly relative to one another as a baby's head passes through the birth canal.
This process is known as moulding.
Second, the spaces between the bones allow room for the brain and skull to grow rapidly after birth.
Owloo Did You Know?
The famous newborn “soft spot” is called a fontanelle. It is a normal gap between skull bones covered by a strong protective membrane.
Why can a newborn's head look slightly pointed?
During a head-first vaginal birth, pressure can temporarily change the shape of the baby's head.
The bones may shift or overlap slightly.
This can make the head look longer or more cone-shaped immediately after birth.
In many babies, this gradually becomes rounder over the following days.
Is it safe to touch the soft spot?
Yes, during normal gentle handling.
The fontanelle is covered by a tough protective membrane, so washing or gently touching your baby's head does not require avoiding the area completely.
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Get ready for Hello World →Frequently asked questions
Why is a newborn's skull flexible?
The skull consists of separate bony plates connected by flexible sutures, allowing some moulding during birth and room for the rapidly growing brain.
What is the soft spot on a baby's head?
It is called a fontanelle — a normal membrane-covered gap between skull bones that have not yet fused together.
Can you touch a baby's fontanelle?
Yes. The area is covered by a strong protective membrane and can be gently touched or washed during normal baby care.
The Owloo approach
Even before birth, your baby's body is beautifully adapted for what comes next.
Flexible enough for hello. Room enough to keep growing.
Written by Tina Krapez, Owloo Co-founder & COO
