cradle cap?!?!?

Question

My 8 week old son has cradle cap pretty bad. i have been using Aveno shampoo when i wash his hair and inbetween baths i use baby oil. It has a sour oder. Is there something i am doing wrong and something i should be doing?
thanks

Answer 1

Congratulations on the new little baby boy!!

Cradle cap is nothing more than the baby version of dandruff (dry scalp). If cradle cap is what your baby has there is a simple way to get rid of it and keep it from returning. If your baby has it bad it will take a little time, just be patient.

First off you need to shampoo the baby's head daily and scrub the scalp just like you should yours. Use your fingernails and gently (not hard, just gently) scrub all around the scalp, even over the soft spot. Gentle scrubbing does not hurt them and will not harm the soft spot. If his scalp turns red where you are scrubbing you are doing a good job.

The point is to get the blood circulating in the scalp.

If you try picking out the cradle cap before it loosens from the scalp you will have a raw spot on the baby's head. (Don't do this. If you get a raw spot put antibiotic cream on it.) If you massage and scrub his head regularly it will loosen and come off on it's own.

Every time you feed your baby, hold him in your arms and use the other hand to scratch his head and stimulate the blood flow. Just a gentle scratching will do. If you continue to do this several times a day you will see the difference in a few days.

The more you keep the blood stimulated the less chance the cradle cap will return. And yes, apply lotion or oil to your babies head.

I have seen babies with cradle cap so thick it takes forever to get removed and it does smell. I don't know if it is the dampness under the top layer of dead skin or what.

You should continue to wash your baby's head in the same manner until they are old enough to wash it themselves as children. Be sure to teach them how to scrub their scalps. Cradle cap is not limited to little babies. I use to sit and scratch my babies head all the time to keep the blood flowing, do that to the grandbabies now.

None of my children or grandbabies have ever had cradle cap. Only the other babies I have raised in my daycare have ever had cradle cap and we remedied that with a little training of the parents.

Answer 2

This works on cradle cap and dandruff on adults. Rub a little olive oil on the baby's head and let it penetrate. On adults I've used a shower cap to allow the heat to penetrate the oils. Then gently use a baby brush to loosen the flakes and then wash it out.

Answer 3

You're not doing anything wrong, some babies just get cradle cap. Keep doing what you're doing, and only wash the baby's hair every other day and it will eventually go away.

Congrats on the new baby!

Answer 4

I rubbed a bit of baby oil into my daughters head, then let it sit for a minute, then I would use a soft baby brush and gently scrub the scales off, not to hard though. Then I would wash her hair, make sure you are rinsing the soap out really well. I'm not sure of the odour though.

Answer 5

I don't put any oil or lotion on my son's head anymore.

When he got cradle cap, I warmed some olive oil and added some tea tree oil. I put it on his head and allowed it to sit, then I took my finger nails over the area and gently scrubbed it off. I hair comb or brush would have worked too. I hope you find something that works.

Answer 6

Lotion and baby wash are the best things to use. Oil can clog the pores, according to my pediatrician. Use a baby brush every morning and night to brush it loose. Be persistant so that it doesn't get worse. It should get better in a couple of weeks. OH, and don't use headbands or hats until it is cleared up.

Best of luck!

Answer 7

My husband & I call it cradle 'crap' (tee hee) It's no fun, but usually goes away on it's own. Baby oil seemed to help w/one of my twins that had it, but didn't do squat for my oldest child. When you shampoo, get one of those soft nail brushes they usually give you at hosp. when you first have baby & use it on baby's head or you can gentley use your fingernails. As for the odor, I've never heard of that happening. I would suggest you let your doctor know, in case it's some sort of fungus. good luck!

Answer 8

People told me to use oil...and I just ended up with a baby with cradle cap that was oily.

So instead...I started using baby lotion on his head instead...and a stiff little baby hair brush and a wash cloth..

I lotion up his noggin

wait a little bit

then use the brush in little circles to loosen the flakes and then brush them away

Or alternately rub with the wash cloth and try to gently scrub loose those flakes

It just seemed better with the lotion cause I didn't have to deal with an oilslick afterwards..the lotion just soaked in.

Good Luck

Answer 9

Hi. You're not doing anything wrong. You just need products that will be beneficial for your little one's extra sensitive skin. Arbonne has a great pure, safe, and beneficial baby care line (hair and body wash, lotion, body oil, diaper rash cream, and sunscreen) that is water based, botanically-based and pH correct, pediatrician and dermatologist tested, non-sensitizing, non-irritating, and formulated without nut oils. They are formulated with natural ingredients like oat flour which is an emollient and an emulsifier. It’s highly absorbent and hypoallergenic. Oat flour helps to soothe and soften dry, itchy and sensitive skin.

Answer 10

baby oil forsure and used a baby brush (the ones with the soft bristles) and rub babies head in a circular motion. do this every day it helps loosen things up. u dont have to wash with shampoo all the time, it will sometimes make things worse.