Your Newborn’s Health: Cradle Cap

What is cradle cap and how do you get rid of it?

If your pēpi has patches of thick, scaly, or dry skin on their scalp, they may have cradle cap, a common condition in newborns that develops when skin cells build up. It doesn’t cause any harm and you don’t need to do anything to remove it as it should go on its own, however some parents may choose to.

You can help remove it by:

  • Massaging a simple, natural oil into their scalp, like coconut oil.
  • Washing your baby’s head with a baby shampoo and rinsing well with warm water.
  • Brushing their head with a soft bristle baby hairbrush or gently rubbing the area with a towel.