This article is all about cradle cap: causes & prevention

Breast milk is not only the best source of nutrition for your child. Its rich composition of vitamins, minerals, antibodies, and nutrients makes it more beneficial for other purposes as well.

You can treat your little one’s eye, ear, skin infections, umbilical cord, and cradle cap.

Yes, you heard me right! breast milk can cure cradle cap.

Read further about cradle cap, its symptoms, causes, and ways to treat it with breast milk.

What is a cradle cap?

Cradle caps are also known as Seborrheic dermatitis. It is flaky white and yellow scales that appear on the infant’s scalp. Mostly it appears on the baby’s scalp from 2 months to 12 months of age.

According to AAFP, approximately 10% of boys and 9.5% of girls develop it.

Although it does look itchy and irritating, you can have a sigh of relief because it doesn’t bother your infant.

The cradle cap usually shows up

• On the forehead and face.
• Behind the ear
• Diaper area
• Armpits
• Eyelids and nose

Causes of cradle cap

The cause for cradle cap is still unknown. Medical professionals suggested a few possible reasons listed below.

• Excessive skin oil: Excessive oil in babies can cause cradle caps. It creates an overproduction of oil in hair follicles.
• Yeast infection: There is a type of yeast called Malassezia. It also aids in causing cradle caps in babies.

Please rest assured that it doesn’t happen due to poor hygiene. Similarly, it is not contagious and dangerous.

How does the cradle cap look?

The baby’s scalp or the affected area will have red or yellowish-white flaky patches. The cradle cap looks red and moist in the fold of skin, like behind the ears, underarms, and leg joints. It can be scaly or flaky.

The color of the patches also varies from red to yellowish-white.

Cradle Cap diagnosis

Health care professionals can diagnose a cradle cap by its appearance and the place of the rash. Infants suffering from cradle cap are well and commonly don’t require medication for treatment.

Cradle cap treatment

Here are a few things that can treat cradle cap:

Brush the scalp

You can gently brush your baby’s scalp. There are special brushes available for cradle caps. Be careful not to scrape off flakes from the skin as they can hurt your child.

Makes sure to start brushing in one direction to remove the flakes from the skin. You can do it in dry and wet hair.

Brushing is the safest method for treating cradle cap and overall scalp health. If you notice redness on the skin, reduce the brushing.

Hydrate the scalp

Hydrating the scalp will help loosen the flakes. A gentle massage is also healthy for hair growth and blood circulation.

• You can use a plant-based oil like coconut, olive, or jojoba oil and apply it to your baby’s scalp.
• Gently massage the scalp. If there is still a soft spot on the baby’s head, be careful not to press it.
• Leave the oil on the baby’s head for 15 minutes
• Wash out the hair with shampoo.

Use breast milk

Breast milk has omega-3 fatty acids and emollients like lotions. It helps keep your baby’s skin moist and hydrated.

Add a small amount of breast milk to your baby’s shampoo and wash his scalp gently.

You can also apply breast milk directly to the baby’s scalp after shampoo and massage gently.

Regular washing

• Daily washing your baby’s scalp can also help cure cradle caps.
• Wet your baby’s head and gently massage a tear-free shampoo for a few minutes.
• Brush his head afterward to remove any flakes from the skin.

Use essential oils:

You can also use essential oils after the permission of the baby’s pediatrician. Choose lemon or geranium essential oil for application.

• Add two drops of essential oil in 2 tablespoons of carrier oil like jojoba or coconut oil.
• Apply it to the baby’s scalp
• Leave it for a few minutes
• Gently brush the scalp and wash it with a gentle shampoo.

Preventing cradle cap

Prevention is better than cure. You can follow some steps and add them to your baby’s daily routine to completely prevent cradle caps.

• Daily wash your baby’s scalp with a gentle tear-free shampoo.
• Hydrate his head with plant-based oil like olive, coconut, jojoba oil.
• Apply breast milk on the baby’s scalp after washing.

When to consult a doctor?

Cradle cap is often confused with atopic dermatitis. If your baby seems uncomfortable, distressed and if the home remedies are not working, consult a doctor.

Your doctor might suggest an ointment for the treatment depending on your kids’ condition.

Final thoughts

Cradle cap is a common condition in infants and babies. There is no need to worry. If your baby develops this condition, try treating it with home remedies. If his condition doesn’t get better, consult a doctor.