Cradle cap?

Question

Whats the best way everyone has found to get rid of cradle cap. I've heard you should put baby oil in his hair and brush it out, but how do you get the baby oil out of his hair afterwards because I've also heard that no matter how many times you shampoo his hair it still looks oily. Can I just leave it alone and it will go away on it's own? It doesn't look bad at all, and it doesn't seem to be uncomfortable for him.

Answer 1

My 2nd son had very bad cradle cap which I call cradle crap. We tried many different things as such as Neutrogena T-Gel which didn’t work and ended up making it seep more… We discontinued use immediately afterwards. We also tried the Cradle Cap Care by Gentle Naturals… No success. We also tried the recommendation of baby oil… Again unsuccessful. My mother-in-law mentioned to me that in the Philippines they would use coconut oil. So I tried Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula (Soothing Oil – Spray Bottle) which I used for my stretch marks during my pregnancy. I would spray the soothing oil (make sure to have the baby’s head on a towel) and gently massage on the scalp. I would let it set 5-10 minutes to penetrate the scalp and then would proceed to use a fine tooth comb. Afterwards I would towel dry the oil out of his hair. It actually worked very well for him.

However, my 3rd son (4 months) also has cradle cap (not as severe) and the Cocoa Butter Formula worked somewhat well but not as good as I had hoped. I also massaged in the Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Moisture Cream and let it set. Lately his head looked severely red and irritated along with thick crusty scales... Yuk. However, my Co-worker reminded me that I could use the Mary Kay Extra Emollient Night Cream that I bought from her. I used it and it was almost immediate results. Just overnight it was cleared up. I actually tried it this past weekend and it seems to be in the clear :). I highly recommend this as a must try!

Cradle cap can be quite bothersome… Besides time, utilize trial and error on approved recommendations on what will work best to maintain your baby’s cradle cap.

Answer 2

I have found that the most effective way to get rid of cradle cap is to just gently scrape it off with your fingernail then in the bath gently scrub the scalp with with a soft-bristled baby brush. If the fingernail isn't working fast enough I found using a little, thin comb to "rough up" and loosen the cradle cap works well...you wouldn't comb the scalp, you would stand it on the bristle tips and move it side to side. Lots of people say use some kind of oil (like olive, almond, or baby oil). As long as you use soap to cut the oil it should come out of the hair. If it dosn't you could always try a tiny, tiny amount of ivory dish soap...dish soap is specially designed to handle oils. When my first baby had it I left it for a few months not sure how to handle it and not even certain it was cradle cap because I'd never seen it in person before. It was a small patch, but it didn't go away on its own...I used the method abpve. When my second had it (much more than my first) I would just scrape a little off at each nursing session. After it was gone it never came back with either baby. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

The only good solution is Baby oil.... just deal with the greasy look for a month or so.. that is the only way to keep it under wraps.. brush his hair often but not roughly as to irritate his scalp if you try to Force the cradle cap out you can make his scalp bleed so be gentle and use baby oil and baby lotion.... as the cradle cap goes away you will use the oils and lotions less

Answer 4

How should I treat my baby's flaky scalp?
You don't really need to do anything, but if it bothers you, try shampooing more frequently and gently brushing your baby's scalp with a soft brush or a terrycloth towel.

For stubborn cases, some parents find an oil remedy helpful. (The oil helps to loosen dry flakes.) If you want to give it a try, rub just a small amount of a pure, natural oil — such as almond or olive oil — on your baby's scalp and leave it on for about 15 minutes. Then gently comb out the flakes with a fine-toothed comb or brush them out with a soft brush.

Be sure to follow up by washing your baby's scalp with a gentle baby shampoo — the last thing you want to do is leave oil on his head, which could clog the pores and cause the flakes to stick. You might try leaving the shampoo on for a few minutes before rinsing, to help cut the oil.



Should I take my baby to the doctor?
Talk with your baby's doctor if the cradle cap is severe or it spreads beyond your baby's scalp. She may suggest an over-the-counter or prescription seborrhea shampoo or, if the scalp is inflamed, a cortisone cream.

Can I stop it from coming back?
Once your baby's cradle cap is completely gone, it's unlikely to return, but to help remove dead skin while it's waning, you might want to give your baby more frequent shampoos. Don't overdo it, though, or you could further stimulate his oil-producing glands. A gentle wash two or three times a week with a mild shampoo should be plenty.

Answer 5

olive oil, baby oil and a soft brush...give baby warm bath use it during bath time. after bath put lotion on head and rub in...then put a breatheable cap on the head to contain some moisture that way when you take the cap off you can brush more of the flakes off...but if it doesn't work...eventually it disappates after a while. Shampoo use...maybe twice every 3 to 4 days a week along with the oils and lotions.

Answer 6

Why not use some almond oil just a small bit massaged into babys scalp to help break it up and then gently pick it off. Worked for my two and actually left my sons hair with a nice shine.

Answer 7

Just leave it alone. My 11 month old had it really bad and lost of of his hair. His hair came in so soft and beautiful. Cradle cap dosen't hurt the baby..

Answer 8

I had 2 boys go through this. It goes away on it's own. Make sure to bathe baby every day and dry completely. It can last 1-2 months. Usually it goes away sooner. Baby oil can make it worse. The skin needs to stay clean and dry. You could try some mild baby lotion but not oil.

Answer 9

It doesnt bother him and it will go away on its own...but regular brushing his hair (or scalp) will help it clear up ...baby's grow so fast they shed dead skin cells far more rapidly than adults do....thats all it is...so some gentle exfoliation is all thats needed. brush his hair (with no oil) twice a day or three times and wash every 2 -3 days and it clears prretty fast ( a few days or so) and regular brushing will keep it from coming back

Answer 10

Just leave it alone. There are pores on the top of your head, and the rule is "if you wouldnt eat it than dont put it on your skin" Hes just a baby, he will grow out of it. Untill then use caps and hats when going out!