Cradle Cap

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It is common for "scaly" or dry patches of skin to appear on your newborn baby's scalp. This is known as cradle cap. Sometimes cradle cap can cover your baby's whole scalp, but it can also appear on their face, and around their diaper area, armpits and nose. Cradle cap is not part of any illness and does not indicate that your baby is not being well cared for.

Cradle cap is very common in babies younger than 8 months and can linger for weeks or months. Although this condition may seem unsightly, it is not itchy and will not cause your baby any discomfort. The cause of cradle cap is unknown but is thought to be a result of hormones left in your baby's body from pregnancy or simply from the normal buildup of sticky skin oils, scales and cells.

You can treat your baby's cradle cap in several ways. First you could massage a small amount of baby/mineral oil on your baby's head to help soften the skin. You can also use a baby hairbrush or comb to gently remove the flaky/crusty bits and then wash their hair with mild shampoo. If your baby's cradle cap starts to look red and swollen, you should contact your healthcare provider.

For more information on cradle cap, how to treat it, and when to be concerned and talk to your healthcare professional, please see the resources below.