How to treat cradle cap for newborn babies?

Question

My son was born with a head full of dark hair. Therefore, it shows every little thing. It looks like he has a mild case of dandruff. Just little flakes, but enough for it to be treated.

Answer 1

Its normal for babies to have dry skin as their hormones regulate. If theres no thick layer of scaley flakes, then its not cradle cap, its just dry skin. It will clear itself up.

If its scaley and icky, be sure to use a fine baby comb on his scalp once a day (DONT PICK OR SCRATCH AT HIS HEAD!), and put some oil, or baby oil, or even olive oil, on his head with a cottom ball, and stick a hat on him until it absorbs in. Comb is again after that, and then wash him with some regular baby shampoo.

Between combing (even rubbing his scalp with your finger tips will increse blood flow to his scalp). the oil (which breaks it up) and the washing, it'll clear up in a week or two.

DONT use adult dandruff shampoos, its just not worth it. The flakes are NOT caused by the same things as what causes adult dandruff. All youre doing is washing it away with shampoo same as normal, except the dandruff shampoo burns their skin and eyes.

Answer 2

My son had very bad cradke cap, and as a first time parent I did not know what to do. So i went out and bought everything and anything for cradle cap. But the only thing that worked was some baby oil. What i did was put some baby oil on his head wait about a half hour then give him a bath . But you have to scrub a little with a baby face cloth but it wont hurt . Do it soon, because i did not and it messed up the way his hair grew in.

Answer 3

My daughter was the same way. I rubbed her head with olive oil about an hour before her bath. During her bath I washed her hair and used a soft brush to loosen the flakes and wash them away. The Early Years brand sells a soft brush made especially for cradle cap. It has a brush on one side and sponge on the other and you can put baby wash in the handle so it dispenses out the sponge end. It was gone in about a week.

Answer 4

My baby had the same problem. The pediatrician recommended Selsun Blue shampoo (I bought the “Balanced Treatment” type because it is for sensitive skin, but you can get the one with Aloe – smells nice). This shampoo helps with seborrheic dermatitis (cradle cap). Use it whenever you bathe your son and remember to be very careful with his eyes!

Within a couple of days I saw a HUGE difference…it worked! Keep using the shampoo until the cradle cap is gone. Then you can go back to your regular baby shampoo. Good luck :-)

Answer 5

You can use a soft brush or comb, maybe some oil. Wash with a gentle baby shampoo to get the oil out.


Do NOT pick at it or scrub it - you'll give the baby sore spots and scabs instead of just cradle cap that way.

Answer 6

I always put a little bit of lotion or baby oil on my daughter head every morning after her bath. She has never head any flakes. Sometimes if a baby has alot of hair the shampoo isnt getting out completly and that can cause flakes.

Answer 7

In prenatal classes, the nurse advised up to use a baby brush when washing their hair to give their head a good (but gentle) scrub. My baby has never developed cradle cap (maybe this is why??) but a friend's baby did and she tried this method and it was gone the next day.

Answer 8

I've used olive oil and have also used baby oil. Olive oil is natural and it helps soften the dry scalp area. Brushing / combing hair will help to get it out of the hair. Its not a pretty site but its all temporary. Hope this helps.

Answer 9

i use baby oil, but the kind thats thicker, the johnsons squeeze one, so its not so messy. i just rub that on and let it sit for a couple hours to soften up the scalp, then comb it all out. but be gentle, it may take a couple times. you have to wash his hair good a few times afterwords cause it will be super greasy, but it seriously works. ive done it on both my kids. just the other day in fact.

Answer 10

I was advised to use a tiny amount (less than dime sized) of anti-dandruff shampoo. Store brand is fine, you don't need expensive name brand shampoo. I was told (by his pediatrician) that baby oil is not good, as it blocks the head's pores.