₦airaland Forum

Mama, let’s talk about something many new parents notice right after birth. A soft swelling or bump on their baby’s head. It can look scary, but in most cases, it’s harmless and temporary.

There are two common types of newborn head swelling after delivery:

1. Caput Succedaneum
2. Cephalhematoma

And yes, they’re different.

Let me break it down for you:

Caput Succedaneum
This is a soft, puffy swelling of the scalp that crosses the midline, meaning it’s spread across both sides of the head. It happens when pressure from the birth canal or the bag of waters pushes on the baby’s head.
It’s more common with long labors or when the water breaks early.
It’s usually harmless and goes away on its own within a few days.

Cephalhematoma
This one is a collection of blood between the baby’s skull and scalp. Unlike caput, it is firm and does not cross the midline. It stays on one side.
It can appear a few hours after birth and may get bigger before it gets better.
It also clears on its own, but it can take weeks to months.
In rare cases, it may lead to jaundice or calcify, so your doctor will keep an eye on it.

What should you do?
Watch it. Don’t press or massage it.
Keep your baby’s head protected.
Follow up with your doctor, especially if you notice yellowing of the eyes or skin, or the swelling seems to be growing.

The good news is both conditions usually resolve without treatment, and your baby will be just fine.

Mama, don’t panic when you see that bump. Knowing the difference can help you feel more confident and calm in those first few days of motherhood.

NB

Quick Note on Cephalhematoma:
Yes, in most cases, cephalhematoma resolves on its own as the baby’s body slowly reabsorbs the blood over several weeks or months. But it should still be monitored by a doctor. If it leads to jaundice, hardening, or signs of infection, your healthcare provider may need to step in. So while it’s usually nothing to worry about, keeping an eye on it is key.

Appreciation: Midwife Chiamaka

Let's yield the floor to the medical people here.

ABC

So Una no know say them dey mould baby head b4? The cranium dey soft especially within first 10 days of birth sir

Learned something new today.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Does all babies heads look that way on those pictures you posted or just a few?

This does not look like a nornal occurrence. A Doctor will be in a best position to advice

You be igbo or him papa?










Just asking because this head shape is peculiar to eastern Part of Nigeria

Ori abu
Jesuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

It will go back to normal soon. Talking from experience

This is good to know. Very Educative. These characters dey ok

giftson102:
Mama, let’s talk about something many new parents notice right after birth. A soft swelling or bump on their baby’s head. It can look scary, but in most cases, it’s harmless and temporary.

There are two common types of newborn head swelling after delivery:

1. Caput Succedaneum
2. Cephalhematoma

And yes, they’re different.

Let me break it down for you:

Caput Succedaneum
This is a soft, puffy swelling of the scalp that crosses the midline, meaning it’s spread across both sides of the head. It happens when pressure from the birth canal or the bag of waters pushes on the baby’s head.
It’s more common with long labors or when the water breaks early.
It’s usually harmless and goes away on its own within a few days.

Cephalhematoma
This one is a collection of blood between the baby’s skull and scalp. Unlike caput, it is firm and does not cross the midline. It stays on one side.
It can appear a few hours after birth and may get bigger before it gets better.
It also clears on its own, but it can take weeks to months.
In rare cases, it may lead to jaundice or calcify, so your doctor will keep an eye on it.

What should you do?
Watch it. Don’t press or massage it.
Keep your baby’s head protected.
Follow up with your doctor, especially if you notice yellowing of the eyes or skin, or the swelling seems to be growing.

The good news is both conditions usually resolve without treatment, and your baby will be just fine.

Mama, don’t panic when you see that bump. Knowing the difference can help you feel more confident and calm in those first few days of motherhood.

NB

Quick Note on Cephalhematoma:
Yes, in most cases, cephalhematoma resolves on its own as the baby’s body slowly reabsorbs the blood over several weeks or months. But it should still be monitored by a doctor. If it leads to jaundice, hardening, or signs of infection, your healthcare provider may need to step in. So while it’s usually nothing to worry about, keeping an eye on it is key.

Appreciation: Midwife Chiamaka

While caput succedaneum and cephalhematoma are usually harmless, they shouldn't be dismissed too quickly. Complications like skull fractures, jaundice, infection, or calcification can occur, especially with cephalhematoma. Telling parents to "just watch it" may lead to missed warning signs, as not all new parents know what to look for. The safest approach is reassurance combined with regular medical checkups and proper monitoring to ensure any swelling is truly harmless.

My baby has similar case, it went normal on its own. No need for panicking. Though I was then

Oxygenmayo:
Let's yield the floor to the medical people here.

ABC

It's not a question🌚🌚🌚🌚🌚🌚


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Massage the head to perfect shape before it get harden and baby will remain with funny shape of head. This is due to stressful delivery as baby passes through the vagina or CS after stucked somewhere during delivery.

You have to mould the head of the baby before it gets strong,during delivery all the body parts are fragile and the midwife has to mould the hard to shape.

My baby's own didn't disappear. It's still there after 2years

omoh...........our brothers from the east are in a better position to answer dis question

Nothing to panic about. It would adjust in a matter of days. Don't mold anything, my child had this, even had a small knot at the back of his head. Nobody molded anything and he has a perfect head shape now. Talking as a mother of three whose first is now 15

Lol

It's normal

It's delivery stress

It'll correct after few months

The mother tight her laps on the baby head when about to come out.


I wish she have good northern inlaw to help her press the head to normal .

Nothing to worry about.

The head will return to normal after one or two days.

@giftson … You have already answered the reason for the abnormal shape of head after birth in your write-up

In summary, it is due to the squeeze the baby’s head experiences while navigating through the birth canal to the outside ( vulva)

It is a temporary deformation which corrects itself spontaneously within couple of days …No need to worry or do any manoeuvre

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May be they need headbutt



Let me see reaction from doctor in the house before my conclusion

It will go just give it time
It happens to babies after delivery

Because na infant lol. I don’t think they have bones so it should go back to normal in a few months maybe a year