There are different sorts of folk beliefs running around; an example would be the belief that sweeping at night would lessen your blessings, or the ever-so popular one about the black cat causing bad luck to whoever comes across them.
In Hispanic folklore, there's this belief that a cure for a baby's fallen fontanelle (or the top soft part of the baby's head) would be sucking on it, or even hanging the child upside-down to return it to its proper place. There are different causes to why this happens, according to this article by Robert T. Trotter.
"The folk diagnosis of caida de moilera is not based solely on the presence or absence of a depressed fontanelle. The infant must also exhibit a set of accompanying symptoms which include
excessive crying, a reduced desire or ability to feed, diarrhea, vomiting, restlessness, and irritability. These symptoms typically persist for several days."
Although this is a culture-bound syndrome, there are still some medical basis as to why this happens, and most often it is a sign dehydration. In one article I've read, it is said that it was a concept that dated way back into the Aztec times, and it is something not found in Europe, or even in other countries in Latin America. Despite being labelled as a culture-bound syndrome, this is something believed to be a sign of a more serious infliction, most often said to be dehydration.
Despite the lack of attention from modern medical institutions, I believe that this is something to be evaluated and explored more, as it can help unveil some helpful factors for children and infants with this infliction.
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