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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Children's health

MIL picked cradle cap

40 replies

dogsagoodun · 16/06/2011 07:57

I am really annoyed about this and have made my feelings to her perfectly clear. She was asleep on her for about an hour yesterday while I got on with some jobs. During that time she picked all the big pieces of DD's cradle cap off (she claims she just rubbed). Now I am really worried that she may have damaged her hair. Can anyone reassure me? Thanks.

OP posts:

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schobe · 16/06/2011 08:06

I didn't think this was a problem to do. I remember doing it with DD while she slept - it was quite therapeutic. Better to do it with a bit of olive oil so it doesn't get too dry I think.

My DD has an absolute mass of red/gold shiny hair now she's 4.

Hope that reassures.

Your MIL probably should have asked you or mentioned it but may have thought you'd be grateful! Don't be too hard on her.

mumblechum1 · 16/06/2011 08:07

Blimey, I really don't see the problem. Of course it won't affect her hair growth, it's just dead skin.

lazydog · 16/06/2011 08:11

DS2 still had cradle cap at about 4 old until I did the olive oil and a comb thing to remove it - his hair is fine and no bald patches - stop worrying! :)

AmberLeaf · 16/06/2011 08:11

It wont ruin her hair dont worry.

I second massaging olive oil into the scalp, or theres a good shampoo for it called Dentox? or something similar? It smells of rose and works IME

AmberLeaf · 16/06/2011 08:13

Dentinox.

www.dentinox.co.uk/products/cradle-cap-treatment-shampoo.ashx

dogsagoodun · 16/06/2011 08:20

Thanks for reassuring me. I have tried Dentinox and it was slowly doing its job. I wasn't too hard on MIL, just explained that you were not supposed to pick it off. I was annoyed because I had already told her this and she should have respected my wishes. If no harm has been done then it is not a big issue. It's just that her little head looked red and sore afterwards. I feel better now. Thank you.

OP posts:

schobe · 16/06/2011 08:27

Dentinox does nothing ime.

Who says you're not supposed to pick it off?

schobe · 16/06/2011 08:28

Mind you, if you'd already said not to pick it off and she sat there and picked it off, then yanbu.

You do need to be somewhat assertive with her if that was the case.

dogsagoodun · 16/06/2011 12:43

I thought that I had heard/read somewhere that it could affect hair growth if you pick off the scabs, that it's best to let them come away of their own accord. I could of course be wrong (frequently am).

Thanks again for the responses.

OP posts:

Guildenstern · 16/06/2011 12:51

I swallowed all that 'don't pick it off' stuff with my first. He looked beyond terrible.

Finally a health visitor said to me, 'You can pick it off once it's coming loose, you know'.

I had been so het up on following the advice to the letter that I failed to activate my common sense.

I don't mean to suggest for a minute that that's what you're doing. But I wouldn't be too precious about it.

WorzselMummage · 16/06/2011 12:52

I always picked cradle cap and both DC have lots of hair.

I'd have been raging if MIL had done it, It would have completly spoiled by fun

heavenstobetsy · 16/06/2011 12:54

it didn't damage my DD's hair - but her cradle cap did get infected which may or may not have been linked to the picking!!

FruitSaladIsNotPudding · 16/06/2011 13:13

Hmm, I think you should take a step back really. Your DD is also her granddaughter, does she really have to consult you over every tiny thing?

Imnotaslimjim · 16/06/2011 13:25

It won't have done her any harm at all, apart from the make the scalp a little sensitive for a few days. She'll be fine I'm sure

Marlinspike · 16/06/2011 13:28

I used to LOVE picking off DS's terrible cradle cap! As schobe says, most therapeutic!

He's 17 now, with plenty of hair. Still prone to dandruff tho!

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 16/06/2011 13:32

Assuming it was loose [boak] then as others have said - there was no harm done to your baby's scalp.

I utterly get that she should have listened to you but to be fair on your MIL maybe she just couldn't resist. I don't think I'd have been able to stop myself either. Which is really quite gross

DirtyMartini · 16/06/2011 13:32

It will be fine, don't worry. It's not worth making a big thing over; save your ire for a major MIL infraction :)

Geepers · 16/06/2011 14:00

Cradle cap looks revolting and I can't imagine it can be comfortable for the baby either. Get some Vaseline and a nit comb and it will be gone in an hour.

ShowOfHands · 16/06/2011 14:04

You're not supposed to pick it off as it's an infection risk. But you also shouldn't pick your nose and there are few people accidentally removing their brains through stealthy nasal digging. Unless they're only reporting it in the Sun and therefore it's bypassed me entirely. So yes it's one of those rules we all ignore.

Anyway, if you've specifically said don't do something and somebody does it, to your baby no less, it's extremely irritating.

FWIW dd is 4 and still has cradle cap. You can't see it though as she has normal and rather lovely hair. You can remove it, it always come back.

Poledra · 16/06/2011 14:09

Nit comb is fantastic for removing it. DD2 had lots of cradle cap when she was tiny, going on until DD1 went to school and started to get nits (so, DD2 about 3 yo). Weekly nit-combing not only stopped the narsty little bastards nits but also cleared up the cradle cap.

Nuttychic · 16/06/2011 14:09

YABU who can hold a little baby for an hour and NOT pick it off? Its a very loving (grooming) thing to do ffs. Should she ask you before she tickles her or strokes her face as well?

LetThereBeCake · 16/06/2011 14:11

yabu. I tried dentinox with all of mine. With DC3 I got fed up and used olive oil and a nit comb. Fab job.

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dogsagoodun · 16/06/2011 17:21

I am really not sure that tickling a baby's feet and picking scabs off its head are the same thing. I definitely think that a grown woman should be able to refrain from picking at a child (especially when they have been told not to). Just basic common courtesy.

OP posts:

clunie · 21/06/2011 09:47

There are some brilliant products on the market for cradle cap but picking it off will not effect the hair growth. Have a look at www.pureandgentle.com Don't be hard on your MIL your lucky to have some family members near and are interested I didn't have anyone as they were miles away and could really have done with some help when they were little.

greencolorpack · 21/06/2011 09:51

My daughter has tinnia, some kind of cradle cap type thing, and I used to pick it off with a comb, and it's left a bald spot and it just resolutely will not grow back. I'm really worried about it. Now I used the hot oil method, every now and then, and use shampoos.

So I would think you are right to tell MIL to keep her hands to herself.

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