Cradle cap is one of those things about parenthood no one ever tells you to expect. All of a sudden your beautiful little peach is shedding big yellow scales of nastiness from their precious head and you have no idea why. Don't freak out! This is a normal condition called cradle cap that happens to many, many babies. Welcome to motherhood!
Though at first it was worrying, we found that it isn't a hard problem to solve. We had this with my second child and spent a lot of time trying to figure out why and trying to treat it. It turns out, it was easier than we expected to prevent and keep it at bay.
Doctors still aren't exactly sure why cradle cap occurs, but oily skin is one major issue. It could also be the mother's hormones that the baby is exposed to pre-birth. It could be as simple as dead skin that sticks to oily skin or even a kind of yeast infection. Whatever the cause, it isn't pretty. Here are eight treatments for cradle cap, from the doctor-approved to the mom-tested.
Shampoo
It's plain. It's simple. And it's apparently effective. Shampoo may be the single most effective way to treat cradle cap in infants. Regular, vigorous shampooing with a gentle product can make the difference between flakey flakes and a smooth scalps. Whoo hoo!
Olive Oil
Olive or almond oil is often effective against cradle cap, as counterintuitive as it may seem. Try rubbing it in baby's hair and letting it sit for a while, then gently rubbing with a clean toothbrush. Worked for us!
Coconut Oil
Every natural mama swears by coconut oil for good reason. It's a miracle! It smells amazing too. Put a little on baby's head at night and brush off in the morning with a baby brush.
Petroleum Jelly
A lot of mamas swear by petroleum jelly. Put it in the hair at night (goopy but effective), and by morning, your little darling is flake-free. It can't hurt to try this for cradle cap, right?
Fine-Toothed Comb
This is a lice comb, it's true. But with a little oil, this is probably one of the easiest and fastest ways to remove those flakes. So get to combing. And be glad it's flakes and not nits!
Shea Butter
Try shea butter on the baby's scalp. Rub it in, then comb it off slowly. It works like a charm to relieve cradle cap, according to some moms.
Baking Soda
What can't baking soda do? The answer might be nothing. According to the American Pregnancy Association, mixing equal parts baking soda and water can make a safe and effective paste to treat cadle cap — and it's inexpensive too! Apply the paste directly to baby's scalp and let it sit for a minute before washing it off with baby shampoo. Voila! Easy peasy.
Time
The reality is even the most stubborn case of cradle cap (like my son had) goes away over time. Blink and your baby is 4 and cradle cap is a distant memory. No matter how much you try, the one surefire cure is time.
*Disclaimer: The advice on Cafemom is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
