How Can I Treat My Baby’s Cradle Cap?

Do you practice gently brushing your baby's scalp with a soft brush while in the tub?

If brushing your baby's scalp with a soft brush doesn't work, have you tried adding a drop of baby oil before you start brushing?

Do you avoid bathing your baby more than once a day?

Have you limited your baby's bathing to about ten minutes?

Do you know that bathing water should be approximately the same temperature as your baby's body temperature (around 37 ºC)?

Have you tried massaging your baby’s scalp with a terry cloth towel while drying it off?

Do you use products that are specifically designed for babies with a cradle cap?

Do you use a humidifier in your baby's room?

Based on your answers, there are several other ways to treat your baby’s cradle cap. It is important not to pick off the flakes and not to bathe your baby more than once a day. Bathing too often can dry out your baby's skin, causing the sebaceous glands of the skin to release excess oil, which contributes to the cradle cap. You should limit bathing to about ten minutes, and the temperature of the bathing water should be approximately the same as your baby's body temperature (about 37 ºC). You can gently brush your baby's scalp with a soft brush while in the tub to remove scaly skin.

Based on your answers, you know a lot about treating your baby’s cradle cap. It is important to use products that are specially designed for babies with a cradle cap, like the foam shampoo for newborns. It is a tear-free formula that gently exfoliates and rinses away the cradle cap flakes. If the flaking is really intense, you can use some cradle cap cream that can keep the skin moisturized and reduce flaking. You should use a humidifier in your baby's room, because humid air prevents the baby's skin from drying out. The sebaceous glands will not release as much oil if the skin is already hydrated.