My 9 month old daughter has bad cradle cap all over her scalp. My pediatrician told me to use dandruff shampoo months ago but I was hesitant to use anything but baby shampoo on her. I've been trying to scrape it off, but it's no use. There is still alot all over! Has anyone used dandruff shampoo on their infants? If so, what brand is best? Is there a special brand especially for babies and cradle cap? Thanks!
My daughter had cradle cap as an infant. I bought some natural stuff in the shampoo aisle at Target. Its a shampoo designed specifically for cradle cap. I forget what its called, though. I also occasionally would rub some baby oil on her scalp when I washed her hair before I shampooed. This helped keep it moist and some of the cradle cap would gently peel off. I know it looks horrible, but it doesn't really bother them too much and she should outgrow it soon.
Laura,
When my son had it as a baby, my pediatrician told me to use Selsun Blue. I, too, was shocked (not a "baby" product) but it worked. I just was very careful not to get it in his eyes. I used to use one of those bath aid sponges for in the tub and laid him on that and washed his hair while he was lying in the tub. As a matter of fact I just gave the balance of the bottle to a friend whose 8 mo old has it so it won't last for long with treatment. I've also heard that baby oil helps--just don't let him get ahold of it! Dangerous for them if swallowed. Good luck!
I used baby oil before I would wash their hair; gently rub it on the scalp and wash it with shampoo aftewards.
I defiantely wouldn't use dandruff shampoo! there are so many chemicals in it that can get into your daughter through her skin... i used mineral oil on my son and though it was a little greasy it worked wonders. I have also heard vitamin e oil works too. Both are really inexpensive at any drug store. Good luck!
Amy
when my daughter had cradle cap all i used was a little baby oil and a soft baby brush After a couple times the cradle cap went away I also didn't want to use shampoo and my grandmother told me about the baby oil
Ok, I have never heard of dandruff shampoo on cradle cap. What I always used was baby oil. a few drops rubbed into her head then run a small comb all over her hair for about two weeks or until you see it all gone.
Jenn
i used adult stuff on my kids, just make sure to not get it in there eyes and just use a bit. i would soap up their headsand then use a comb to help scrape it off. there are some baby products. Gentle Naturals has a cradle cap product, but i have never used it. you can find it at Babies R uS or Target.
My kids both had cradle cap and the only thing I found that worked for them was a product from Arbonne International - it's a body oil in their baby line that I would gently massage into their scalp and then slowly scrape off the excess skin. Arbonne is a home based business and I have begun to sell it based on the results of the products. If you are interested feel free to contact me.
[email protected] Good luck!
Hi Laura,
The advice I got is to put baby lotion on their scalp and don't wash their hair often at all. It's not neccessary to wash them everyday with soap, especially their hair. I think the baby soap and lotion companies want you to do that but it just dries out their skin and scalp. I also wouldn't spend any money on expensive products (eg Arbonne) or prescriptions when a little regular baby lotion will work just fine.
Good luck.
Julie
I agree with the baby oil - my daughter had it until she was about 15 months old and when it was gross and bugged me, I would douse her with the baby oil (we got one marked "for cradle cap" but it was just really baby oil). And we've stuck with twice a week baths for her as she has sensitive skin all over too. Relax...they do grow out of it:)
Any brand will do. Just use a very tiny amount. Your pediatrician is right. It'll take care of the cradle cap. Just rinse carefully so the suds don't get in her eyes.
Go to a grocery store or BRU or even Walmart and get Cradle Cap Care by Gentle Naturals. It has Winnie the Pooh on the bottle. it literally took it 98% away in one use, gone after 2. i LOVE this stuff! just use a baby comb to brush the dandruff stuff out of her hair. i had a towel under to to catch it all.
They have a couple different brands of baby shampoo for cradle cap at places like babies r us. I would probably try that before any adult dandruff shampoo.
Laura-
The best thing I've ever used on my children was Sea Breeze - you know the face cleaner? I apply some with a cotton ball - it loosens it up and then I peel it off with a small comb. If the area is large you may want to do in sections.
I was doing the moisturize and scrape thing forever. My ped recommended Selsun Blue original formula and it worked. I only used a drop and then I rinse rinse rinsed. I was hesitant too, but it seemed more humane to try it out then to keep picking at her all the time.
Good luck, I hope you find something that works.
Hello,
We have used a natural creamy product we found in the baby isle. It has pooh bear on it. It is Cradle Cap Care called Gentle naturals. I found it in the baby care isle at Kroger. I would guess Walgreens or a store like it would have it.
Gentle Naturals Cradle Cap Care
View Cradel Cap Care Product Label baby's scalp with natural ingredients: calendula, jojoba oil, and vitamins A, D, and E. Unlike mineral oil, Gentle Naturals Cradle Cap Care contains a patented ingredient so it's light and non-greasy. Gently massage into baby's scalp. Loosen scales with a soft brush or comb. Leaves your baby's scalp looking clean and beautiful.
Length of Condition
Affecting about half of all newborns, cradle cap usually develops between two weeks to three months after birth. It can last anywhere from a few weeks to up to a year.
Comfort of Baby
Although it may not be pleasant to look at, cradle cap is harmless, causes no discomfort or itching, and disappears fairly easily with proper care.
Hey Laura,
Whatever you do don't use dandruff shampoo on her!!! I am a hair stylist....
My kids had cradle cap really bad too, my son's did not go away until he was almost 2.
I used EVOO, rub it on the area then take a fine tooth comb and gently comb the scalp from forehead to back of the head. Then reverse the direction to loosen it up.
Wash her hair twice after you feel you got it off.
I did this two times a week for about three weeks and felt like it was off. My daughter's came off all the way but my son had a tough patch by his soft spot that I just gave up.
My kids were bald for a very long time and both have very blonde hair so it was more noticeable.
Let me know how you make out!
I also did this process to them while they were having a bottle so they were a little occupied!
jenn
Hi Laura,
My daughter too had bad cradle cap as an infant (she's 7 now). She still has the occasional patch behind her ears - it has a different name now, but is really the same thing. I've used both olive oil and Selsem Blue. Gently working the flakes off with a little olive oil and a comb worked well, but if was time consuming. When she was much older, 2 years old I think, it came back. She has a lot of hair, so oil and a comb weren't going to work and I resorted to dandruff shampoo. I did have a long conversation with a pharmacist at Rite Aid about my options and he recommended the ingredients in Selsem Blue over other choices because he felt some of the others would be to strong for her. He was very nice and spent a lot of time with me looking at the ingredients in different dandruff shampoos. You could try talking to a pharmacist about what's available now, I find them to be very useful resources for these sorts of questions.
My suggestion to you would be to do what works with the amount of hair she has. I would also suggest washing less frequently for a while to see if that works. Since cradle cap is actually made of oily flakes (which is why baby oil dissolves them a little) that may or may not work. If it doesn't I would try a different shampoo, perhaps more frequently... My daughter definitely reacts to different shampoos and conditioners. FWIW, I've had a few people suggest looking into her diet. We haven't bothered because the patches are very small now and completely hidden by her hair. If they aren't bothering her, they aren't bothering me.
Good-luck,
Kate L.
I also had the same problem with both my babies. I used head and shoulders and they were just fine. They also sell cradle cap shampoo at baies r us if you don't want to use head and shoulders. Another one that also worksis selsunblue. Good Luck!