cradle cap

skr1619 · August 2014

My son has cradle cap. I applied coconut oil to it and brushed out some of the scaly skin but it didn't seem to help. It actually looks worse. Has anyone had experience with this and what did you use to make it go away?

I'm thinking of purchasing the mustela newborn foaming shampoo and the cradle cap cream to use. It got good reviews. Anyone used this brand? I keep telling myself it doesn't bother him but it's so unsightly I feel like a horrible mom

iris427 · August 2014

You're not a horrible mom, tons of kids have cradle cap. Seriously. My 3 and almost 6 year old still have some, and my new guy is getting it too.

If it's a mild case, I wouldn't worry much about it. Your doctor can probably recommend something for more severe cases. I find it's easier to remove in the bath with warm water to soften it up. I still have to dig it out from behind my daughter's ears in the tub, and she's in kindergarten.

hgtvmom · August 2014

Seriously @iris427 ?? Everything I read said it disappears by 6 months. I've been counting on that! You just burst my bubble!

@samounthak‌ I'm doing the same stuff as you. Pedi told me he doesn't recommend using any creams or anything on it. DD's settled down a lot after the initial flaking. You can see some mottled spots on her scalp, but the pieces aren't all flaking off at once like they did initially.

abundancenow · August 2014

Yep the Mustela stuff https://www.mustelausa.com/shop/stelaker.html And olive oil helps too.

Soon2BMrsN · August 2014

I used baby oil gel (bought it at the grocery store) periodically on DS2. I'd slather some on and then back-comb his scalp gently with a baby comb. It did make his hair a little greasy but just until the next bath.

eta: I do think, IME, that it's worse for babies with longer/more hair. DS1 and DD had far less hair and cradle cap wasn't/isn't an issue for them. DS2 had tons of hair!

Hoosier722 · August 2014

The mustela shampoo and cream cured my twins' cradle cap in 2 days. Totally gone!

JuniperGaze · August 2014

My DD is getting it as well. The pedi said not to worry about it, but I could use some mineral oil if I felt I needed to. I don't like that she has it, but if isn't bothering her so I'm leaving it alone for now.

iris427 · August 2014

Pup4gdb said:

Seriously @iris427 ?? Everything I read said it disappears by 6 months. I've been counting on that! You just burst my bubble! @samounthak‌ I'm doing the same stuff as you. Pedi told me he doesn't recommend using any creams or anything on it. DD's settled down a lot after the initial flaking. You can see some mottled spots on her scalp, but the pieces aren't all flaking off at once like they did initially.

I think it usually goes away in the first year. I probably have some freakish gene for long-lasting cradle cap, lucky me.

cindydee · August 2014

Lurker.. My sons was so severe we applied baby oil on it and when we combed it out some of his hair also came off. It looked like he had patches of hair on his head. We ended up shaving his hair, removed all of his remaining cradle cap ( now that I could see it better) and his hair grew back in perfectly. He was 4 months at the time.

TwizzyG · August 2014

In one of my newborn classes, they mentioned using a small amount of selsian blue dandruff shampoo once, but to be extra careful cause it's not tear-free.

Big+Lil · August 2014

Olive oil and a soft brush in circles worked like a charm.

jnnfrrose6 · August 2014

For DS, the pedi recommended Head & Shoulders to clear it up. Also to use a soft bristle hair brush when washing baby's hair to help exfoliate while shampooing. Haven't needed it yet for DD, but it's still early.

jennp1979 · August 2014

I gave baby a bath. And put baby oil in his hair and on scalp per doctor and it went away in 2 days

glitterclaws · August 2014

JuniperGaze said:
My DD is getting it as well. The pedi said not to worry about it, but I could use some mineral oil if I felt I needed to. I don't like that she has it, but if isn't bothering her so I'm leaving it alone for now.

This is pretty much exactly what I was going to post. I have the baby oil out to use before bath time, but lately bath time has been due to vomit soaked baby so we haven't had time to deal with the cradle cap.

I wouldn't mind as much if it was just his head, but he's got it bad across his eyebrows. Boooooo.

HJakes78 · August 2014

My dd had it on her head and eye brows. Dr said to use a little oil right before bath and scrub (washcloth) it gently but with pressure in the bath for two days and it was gone. Good luck!!!

bgoodbpar · August 2014

During bath time--Burt bee's baby oil. Use a soft comb (the type in the baby grooming kits that are a softer plastic) and gently rub the scalp in small circles. Soft brush works too but the comb I found to be more efficient. Follow up with shampoo to get the oil off (use a washcloth to gently rub the shampoo and get all the excess dead skin) . I used honest company shampoo. It took two rounds with LO to make a difference but her scalp looks great and is not irritated.

MrsWallick · August 2014

Honest Company also has a lotion that is safe for a baby's face that I use to clear up the eyebrows and ears. Pedi suggested and it worked great. I use their shampoo, wash, and lotion still, even though it's gone now. I love it and LO loves her nightly massage

alyss0nl · August 2014

Warm water and olive oil or coconut oil. I've heard of people using a tiny bit of head and shoulders while bathing their LO.

asws1208 · August 2014

The Mustella foaming shampoo worked WONDERS! In 2 washes it was completely gone! I know it is a little pricey but I bought it in January for W and I have yet to finish the bottle, and we use it every wash! Even though it is cleared up... It smells good and his hair is so soft!

Their other products are great too. He had baby acne pretty bad and the face wash for eczema prone skin cleared it right up too!

skr1619 · August 2014

Thanks for all of your suggestions! I went ahead and bought the mustela newborn foam shampoo along with the mustela stelaker cradle cap cream. It really was gone in 2 days! And his hair is so soft and smells like baby. No irritation from the use of the products and it's been 4 days of use.

Thanks again for your suggestions ladies

Knbh · August 2014

I'm glad it worked for you!

Ekg688 · August 2014

I just tried Paul Mitchell baby shampoo and it got a lot of dead skin off her scalp. Also I'm a horrible mother and used the special wand cleaning brush that comes with dr.Brown bottles and it got a ton of dead skin up. Lol

LauraMyLove · August 2014

Just bought the mustela foaming shampoo...thanks, ladies, for the recommendation! Can't wait to try it tonight!

MrsLele · August 2014

I don't see why anything needs to be done at all, unless it's a severe case? Both my first DD and this one had a touch of it and it went away on it's own over time, with just regular bathing/hair washing.

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