Natural Remedies for Cradle Cap (Quick & Easy)

Chances are if you have had a baby, at some point in time you have dealt with cradle cap. Cradle Cap is a buildup of oil and dead skin cells on the scalp – and is oftentimes caused by an overproduction of oil.

That overproduction of oil can be the result of a yeast imbalance or, perhaps antibiotics used at birth, or hormones passed from mom to baby during the time of birth. It can also mean that you are using a shampoo or soap that has disrupted the balance of the baby’s natural oil production in the scalp.

In most cases, cradle cap does not require any type of medical intervention – it will clear up on it’s own and you can assist the process with several safe and natural remedies. I would avoid turning to over the counter cortisone and antifungal creams because they can be harmful for baby’s skin.

Avoid over washing your baby’s hair, and using harsh shampoos – you can whip up a mixture to help treat the cradle cap within just a few days.

Baking Soda and Water: Mix equal parts of baking soda and water as a thick paste and apply to the baby’s scalp. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, and then wash off.

Essential Oils:  Tea Tree and Lavender Essential Oils (one drop of each) in 2 Tablespoons of carrier oil. Mix well. and massage into the scalp. Allow to sit for 15 minutes and brush the scalp with a very soft bristled brush. Wash hair with a baby-friendly shampoo and then rinse.

Apple Cider Vinegar: mix with water in a ratio of 1 (ACV) to 2 (Water), and massage onto the area, allow to sit for 8-10 minutes, and then rinse off.

Coconut Oil: a very small amount applied to the baby’s scalp and massaged in can be a tremendously easy way to alleviate cradle cap. Let sit for 5 minutes, and then rinse off, and follow up with a baby friendly shampoo.

When using a carrier oil, you can opt for Coconut or Grapeseed, Apricot Oil or even Jojoba – Jojoba Oil is probably one of the best oils to use for the scalp because it’s very similar to the sebum produced by the sin.

Try to avoid washing the baby’s hair too often – every few days is more than enough, and aside from massaging the scalp, lightly brush with a soft bristled brush following their bath to get rid of the dead skin cells and flaky skin. 

A humidifier can also  help to put some moisture in the air, which is incredibly important if you use air conditioning in your home through the summer.