Cradle Cap Tips and Tricks
Cradle cap also known as seborrheic dermatitis is the result of fungus/yeast overgrowth on baby’s head. This causes your baby’s scalp to appear dry, flaky and discolored. If not treated cradle cap can spread to the ears, eyebrows and other areas. To nip this issue in the butt I gather the following:
Tea Tree oil
Carrier oil of choice ( we like coconut oil for its anti fungal properties)
Cradle cap scrub brush ( clean brush in between uses)
In the palm of my hand I mix about a tablespoon of the carrier oil and five drops of tea tree oil. Rub hands together to mix and then gently apply to baby’s head. Then grab the cradle cap brush and scrub away all the flakiness. Don’t be afraid to get down to the nitty gritty just be gentle around baby’s soft spot. OnceI have scrubbed take a baby wipe or warm wet washcloth and wipe away the residue. I may have to do this a few times over the course of a week to completely get rid of the cradle cap.
Cradle cap can be stubborn and difficult to get rid of, the best thing to do is keep it under control until the issue is resolved. If you have some spare breastmilk you could even pour that over baby's head and then scrub the head. Breastmilk is loaded with antibodies that can help resolve just about any issue- including pink eye!
Although the exact cause of cradle cap is unknown you may be told that it is related to mama’s hormone during pregnancy/birth. Our babies inherit a lot of things from us and as the mother you may feel the burden of feeling like everything that goes “wrong” with your baby is somehow your fault. Let me assure you as a parent a lot of things are just out of your control, you take what you get and do the very best you can for your baby.
