10/11/2025
✨ Understanding Cradle Cap ✨
Those little yellowish, flaky patches on your baby’s scalp are known as cradle cap. It's super common and usually harmless.
💛 What it is:
Cradle cap (seborrheic dermatitis) often appears in the first few months. It’s caused by natural oils and skin cells building up on your baby’s scalp.
🌿 What helps:
Cradle cap will clear up over time but here are some gentle things you could do...
Gently massage your baby’s scalp with a little oil (olive, coconut or baby oil).
Let it soak for 10–15 minutes.
Use a soft baby brush or cloth to lift the flakes away.
Wash the hair with a mild baby shampoo.
Never be tempted to pick the flakes off as this can be painful and can make the scalp bleed.
✨ When to check in:
If the area looks red, sore, or spreads beyond the scalp, have a chat with your midwife, Plunket nurse, or GP.
Remember, cradle cap doesn’t bother your baby, and it usually clears on its own. A little gentle care (and time) works wonders 💕