Take care of your baby's scalp- know how to help clear up cradle cap

Like adults, babies also develop dry, flaky scalps. The condition is known as "cradle cap" in infants.

Of all the things you envisioned while preparing for the arrival of your new baby, you probably didn't imagine crusty patches covering her scalp or dandruff-like flakes in her hair. But your newborn may indeed have scaly patches on her scalp and eyebrows. It's called cradle cap and it's perfectly normal. Cradle cap, or infantile seborrheic dermatitis, is very common in infants. It usually begins in the first weeks of life and slowly disappears over the next several weeks or months. Most cases of cradle cap clear up by the time your baby is between 8 to 12 months old.
Although it may be tempting to do so, do not attempt to pick off the patches with your fingernails! You can help soften cradle cap crusts by massaging your baby's scalp with baby oil. Leave the oil on for a few minutes to help to loosen the crusty patches. Follow by shampooing with a mild cleanser . Add a little to a washcloth and use a gentle, circular motion to remove the flakes and oil from your baby's head. You can also use a fine-toothed comb or baby brush to help remove the flakes from your baby's scalp and hair. Although cradle cap can be unsightly at times, it is harmless. However, if you have any questions, or if cradle cap spreads to other areas of your baby's body (beyond her scalp or eyebrows), call your pediatrician.
Remember to be extra gentle when massaging or washing around the fontanels, or soft spots, on your baby's head.

Here are suggestions from the U.S. National Library of Medicine on how to help clear up cradle cap:

-Use a brush with very soft bristles or your fingers to gently rub your baby's scalp each day. This will boost circulation and help scaly patches of skin fall off.
-Make sure you wash the scalp thoroughly to remove all soap.
-Wash baby's head each day with a gentle soap until cradle cap subsides. Then shampoo about twice weekly.
-Before shampooing, rub a bit of mineral oil into baby's scalp and cover it with a moist, warm washcloth to encourage scaly patches to fall off. Leave it on for up to an hour, making sure the cloth stays warm.
-If cradle cap doesn't improve or baby continues to react to scalp itchiness, see your pediatrician about a topical lotion or cream.