Cradle Cap

First of all cradle cap is one of the most common skin conditions in infants, so no need to worry! Indeed, around two thirds of babies(1) are affected by cradle cap. Cradle cap can appear very early in the first weeks of life and last from a few days to a few months, then disappear completely at around 2 years of age, although sometimes it may last longer.

What is the relation between the formation of these patches on your baby’s scalp and milk? Absolutely none! So do not worry about changing your baby's diet unless your doctor recommends it. The term "croûtes de lait" or "milk crusts" in French is used due to the similarity of this skin condition to dried drops of milk that have spilled over from a pot and solidified on the stove.

As cradle cap bears a resemblance to dried hardened milk, its appearance is easy to remember: small rough patches, yellowish brown in appearance and a little greasy to the touch. They love to settle on baby’s scalp.
At times, cradle cap may extend towards the eyebrows and, less frequently, reach other areas of a baby's body, in particular the armpits or bottom.

Over the course of several days, the cradle cap dries to form a crusty skin rash (also called scales) that fall off naturally. Does baby lose a bit of hair at the same time? That goes without saying, but the hair will grow back without a problem.

One final but essential clarification: although the crusty patches might not be aesthetically pleasing, they are only on the surface. What's even more reassuring is that cradle cap isn't painful; it may only give rise to sensations of mild discomfort.

Since it does not come from milk, does it come from a lack of hygiene? No, not that either! Cradle cap is somewhat like dandruff in adults. It therefore depends more on a natural skin reaction than an overlooked bath. Further proof that cradle cap is not a serious problem for your child.

To be more precise, cradle cap originates from an abundance of sebum in infants. In simpler terms, the sebaceous glands, responsible for generating the oily layer on the skin for protection, are highly active. This results in the emergence of oily regions in certain areas, where dead cells accumulate. Consequently, these trapped cells give rise to the formation of small, crusty patches, mainly found on the scalp.

So why are the sebaceous glands over-productive?

Attributed to pregnancy hormones! Did you assume you were done with them entirely? While you might have moved past them, your baby may not have completely cleared them from their system. Nevertheless, the positive aspect is that when these hormones eventually vanish, the cradle cap will follow and disappear as well.

Meanwhile, this hyperseborrhoea promotes the development of a yeast that we all have on the skin: Malassezia Furfur. The proliferation of this yeast also contributes to the appearance of cradle cap by provoking a skin reaction in the baby.

In summary, the maternal hormones within your baby's system overstimulate their sebaceous glands, fostering the presence of Malassezia Furfur. These conditions provide an ideal environment for skin stimulation, particularly on your baby's scalp, prompting the development of cradle cap.

1) Bathe Your Baby No More Than Once Per Day

While the idea of giving your baby more frequent baths might seem appealing for addressing cradle cap, the reality is quite the opposite. Over-bathing your baby can lead to skin dryness, triggering their sebaceous glands to produce an excess of oil — a potential factor in the development of your baby's cradle cap.

If you don't have time to give your baby a bath, just apply our micellar water to your little one’s skin using a soft cloth, a wipe, or cotton pad and then pat dry. The beauty of this product is that no rinsing is required, making it convenient for keeping your baby clean on the go or during travels.

2) Keep Baths Short

When you bathe your squirming babe, keep bath time relatively short. Just as bathing them too frequently will dry out their skin, spending too long in the bath will have the same effect.

To address your baby's cradle cap, it's advisable to restrict baths to 10 minutes or less. Additionally, be attentive to the water temperature. The bathwater should ideally match your baby's body temperature, around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bathtime might have to be short, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun! Pour a little bit of Mustela’s Multi-Sensory Bubble Bath into the bathwater. Your baby will love splashing in the foaming bubbles while our biodegradable bubble bath formula safely and gently cleanses their skin. That’s a win-win for both of you!

Another way to get the most bang for your bath: 2 in 1 Cleansing Gel. With its mild formulation suitable for newborns, this baby bath gel ensures your little one's skin remains soft and velvety, free from any residue or dryness.

3) Use The Right Baby Shampoo

Before we finish talking about dealing with cradle cap during bath time, it’s important to mention shampoo.

To help reduce the chances of your baby developing cradle cap, wash your baby’s hair and scalp with a gentle shampoo two or three times a week. We suggest using Mustela's Foam Shampoo, specifically designed to delicately cleanse and eliminate the flakes linked to cradle cap.

Gently massage the shampoo onto your baby's damp head (remember, avoid picking or peeling cradle cap). Allow the shampoo to sit for a minute or two before softly rinsing their head.

4) Take A Vitamin B Supplement If You’re Nursing

The B vitamin biotin is important for healthy skin. Normally, you get plenty of biotin from your diet. But sometimes, pregnant and nursing moms can develop a deficiency of this important nutrient. And since biotin is all about skin wellness, some people think popping a biotin supplement could help zap cradle cap if the mom's running low.

Before you run out and buy all the biotin on the shelf, keep in mind there’s no hard evidence that this works. At the very least, discuss with your doctor the possibility of taking the supplement before you add it to your daily routine.

5) Brush Your Baby’s Scalp With A Soft Brush

For an added bit of prevention and treatment, we suggest brushing your baby’s scalp with a soft brush while he’s in the bath. Any baby hair brush will do a great job at gently removing the scaly skin. Just massage your baby’s scalp with the brush, but be sure not to pick at the scales (this can cause irritation).

If you can’t get ahold of a soft hairbrush, or if your baby doesn’t like it, you can massage his scalp with a terry cloth towel while drying him off.

If your little one has a head full of tangly hair, spray on our Skin Freshener detangling spray to be able to gently comb through their hair.

6) Apply Baby Oil Before Brushing

If giving your baby's scalp a gentle brush doesn't seem to do the trick, here's a neat trick: before you start brushing, add a drop or two of baby oil. As you brush, you'll also be massaging the baby oil into their scalp, which can provide some extra healing and preventive care. Just remember, be easy on it so you don't upset your little one's delicate skin.

The cool thing about baby oil is that it's a jack-of-all-trades! You can use it for a soothing massage, removing makeup, taking off sticky band-aids, and even getting rid of stubborn price tag stickers. Yep, it's that versatile! If you're curious, we've got an article with 17 smart ways to make the most of baby oil.

7) Use A Humidifier

Humidifiers are wonderful for your baby’s skin. This is true whether or not they have cradle cap! It’s best to place the humidifier in your baby’s nursery, or whichever room they sleep in, and to leave it on while they rest.

The moist air from the humidifier helps prevent your little one's skin from becoming too dry. This plays a role in tackling cradle cap since well-hydrated and moisturised skin doesn't churn out as much sebum. And since excess sebum is believed to trigger cradle cap, less of it translates to less cradle cap!

8) Apply Cradle-Cap Specific Products

The ultimate goal is to avoid aggravating your baby's cradle cap due to the harsh chemicals present in certain baby skincare items. This  is why it's really important to opt for products specifically formulated for babies dealing with cradle cap.

Mustela’s Cradle Cap Duo set, for example, includes a foam shampoo and a special cradle cap cream. Both products are made with natural ingredients, meaning there’s no need to worry about harsh chemicals affecting your baby. As we mentioned earlier, the foam shampoo cleanses your baby’s hair and scalp while softening and rinsing away the flakes that are commonly associated with cradle cap.

The cradle cap cream works to prevent and eliminate cradle cap. It also helps soothe any discomfort your little one might be experiencing.

9) Be Patient

Remember that cradle cap is the manifestation of an imbalance inside your baby’s body. You can treat the symptoms (the flaky skin), but it may take a while for the condition to completely disappear. Be patient, and continue using products designed to prevent and treat cradle cap, like Mustela’s Foam Shampoo, to defend against future outbreaks.

You can also try our brand-new Cradle Cap Cream, which we mentioned earlier as part of our Cradle Cap Duo set. Formulated with a patented avocado ingredient and plant-derived borage oil, this fragrance-free cream reduces the appearance of flakes and moisturizes your baby’s scalp.

Using the Cradle Cap Duo to treat your little one’s cradle cap provides the best chance for healing while you wait for it to clear up. But keep in mind that it may take some time. Each case of cradle cap is different. Some may clear up and heal within weeks, while others may take a few months.

10) Consult A Physician

If your little one's cradle cap isn't showing any signs of improvement or seems to be getting worse, it's a smart move to reach out to your doctor or paediatrician. In cases where cradle cap is hitting hard, they might suggest a topical steroid like hydrocortisone to help tone down the symptoms – but no need to stress, you've got options.

Let's not let cradle cap steal your sleep. With a few simple steps in your playbook – like giving their scalp a gentle brush and shampooing a few times a week – that cradle cap will be waving goodbye before you know it.