Occasionally, red scaly patches may appear on your baby’s scalp. Cradle cap is extremely common, and is not caused by a lack of hygiene or by any shampoo you’re using. It usually takes a few months to clean up.
Control cradle cap by gently washing your newborn baby’s scalp with a very soft bristle brush and a little baby shampoo dissolved in warm water. You should comb through the hair, even if she has very little. If cradle cap does appear, smear a little baby oil on her scalp at night to soften and loosen the scales, making them easy to wash away the following morning. Don’t be tempted to pick them off with your fingernail; that only encourages more scales to form. If the condition persists or spreads, consult your baby’s doctor, who may recommend a special shampoo.
