Tips for Mamas: How to Get Rid of Cradle Cap

Are cradle caps normal? Will they go away on their own? This article will address the most common questions about cradle caps. On top of that, we will also discuss how to get rid of the cradle cap.

It’s normal to freak out when you see sizeable scaly skin patches on your baby’s scalp. But we assure you this shouldn’t cause you much concern as this might be a case of cradle cap.

According to experts, cradle caps are not itchy or painful for our little ones. So, we can confidently tell you that your baby will be fine despite the alarming appearance of its skin.

What is a cradle cap?

Before we proceed, let’s define cradle cap and what it means for your baby’s health.

When we consulted WebMD, they shared that cradle caps are a common condition among newborns. While babies are known for their smooth and silky skin, they can also have rough patches.

We can think of it as the equivalent of dandruff, except it comes with flaky patches on the head. On top of that, it can also appear on the nose, armpits, groin, and other body parts.

Unfortunately, there are no known specific causes for cradle caps. However, there are theories that this is from excessive oil production in certain areas, causing the oil to stick to the skin.

What happens if the cradle cap is left untreated?

The excellent news is cradle caps will go away on their own, even if you leave them untreated. However, you need to be patient, as it usually takes about a year to see it significantly fade from your baby’s scalp.

For others, it may take longer. There are cases where cradle caps remain prominent until they reach the age of four.

Ways to Naturally Get Rid of Cradle Caps

While cradle caps are typical and harmless, we understand that not all mamas want to wait that long for them to go away. We’ve listed some practical ways to get rid of cradle caps naturally.

But before that, we want to be clear that these tips will help reduce the appearance of cradle caps quicker than leaving them untreated. However, none of these are instant fixes, which means that you need to be patient in including these in your everyday routine to see results.

1. Brush

Yes, you read that correctly. Despite not having many hairs, you can gently brush your baby’s scalp to move the flakes on their head.

Just be sure to do so without forcefully picking or scraping the skin. Doing so can cause irritation or infection.

On top of this, this can also be a relaxing bonding moment for you and your baby.

2. Moisturise

You may think that moisturizing the skin is a no-no since cradle caps are suspected to be caused by excessive oil production. But, surprisingly, the opposite is true.

Applying gentle moisturizers can help loosen the flakes, revealing healthier skin underneath. You may use natural oils or products that contain them as safer options.

But even then, we highly advise doing a patch test to ensure that the moisturizer you use won’t harm your baby. To do so, you must put a small amount of the product on your hand and apply it to the baby’s scalp.

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3. Wash

This may not apply to all babies since washing is advisable only after four to six weeks after birth. You may ask your paediatrician for their professional opinion, but once the baby gets clearance, washing their heads regularly will help fade their cradle cap.

Using harsh products on your baby’s hair may not be a good idea since it can dry the skin and make the appearance of flakes even worse. With this, we recommend using warm water instead.

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However, if water alone doesn’t work, you may use gentle cleansers to fade the cradle cap, like Mama’s Choice Baby Hair and Body Wash. Infused with a combination of chamomile, lavender, and sugar maple extract, our head-to-toe baby wash promotes healthier hair while nourishing your baby’s skin.

Additionally, dandruff shampoos are available in the market, but it would be best to consult a doctor before using this on your baby.

4. Nourish

Nothing will help alleviate cradle caps other than products specifically formulated to keep your baby’s scalp healthy. Industry experts create these to resolve most of the common issues experienced by babies and their mamas during the first few months.

We are happy to share that we have created the right product to help you get rid of your baby’s cradle cap quickly, safely, and naturally.

Meet Mama’s Choice Baby Hair Vitamin Lotion

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Mama’s Choice Baby Hair Vitamin Lotion was created with new mamas like you in mind. We understand how hard it can be to look for effective and safe products to help address the many skin issues in our baby’s scalp.