Cradle cap. It sounds like an adorable style of bonnet, doesn’t it? Until your perfect ball of newborn baby suddenly grows scalp scales and you’re doing everything in your power not to take a Brillo pad to their shiny, round head.Cradle cap, as it turns out, isn’t as cute as it sounds. It’s basically dead skin, mixed with excess sebum, stuck to the top of your babe’s head. It’s harmless and not contagious, but it can be a little unsightly.
My kids were all born with HAIR. None of this bald until two deal over here. I swear my daughter came out with pigtails. All three also had impressively thick cases of cradle cap, and as much as my mother reassured me that so many babies are affected by it, I wanted it gone, and I wanted it gone NOW.
A quick round of Dr Googling informed me that the easiest way to get rid of cradle cap is to soak your baby’s head in oil. The Beauty From Bees Baby Oil is the perfect oil to use, with its skin-enhancing ingredients, and safe and gentle formula! As a first time mom who hasn’t fallen in love with this brand, yet, I panicked and dumped olive oil on my son’s furry little head. Effective, yes. But he kind of smelled like greasy pasta for a week, and he looked like he was about to audition as Danny Zuko for just as long. Do not recommend.
Soak that oil in for an hour or so (pro tip: you’ll want to lay your kiddo on a towel or blanket, unless you’re planning on shining your hardwood at the same time.) After your tiny one is effectively soaked in oil, take a comb and gently back-comb across their head. Those scabby-looking scales will lift right off, leaving behind a beautifully moisturized, healthy-looking scalp. A quick shampoo with Lavender and Vanilla Shampoo + Body Wash, and that oil (unlike my own kitchen disaster) comes right out! You’re left with a baby that smells delicious (not like my pizza babe), and looks and feels their very best!
Cradle cap is absolutely nothing to worry about from a health standpoint, but if having it gone eases your mama heart, it’s as easy as a quick dip in oil, gentle scalp massage, and shampoo clean! And really, who doesn’t love having their scalp scratched, anyway?!
Kelsey Kitt is a work-at-home-mom of three in northern Alberta. When she’s not chasing kids around, she is also a freelance copywriter, wine lover, and Parental Guidance content creator. You can follow her and all her family’s adventures on Instagram at @mommydoesntlie.