Cradle cap returning at 6.5 months

[katerose2022]

Hi all, our baby is 6.5 months old and his cradle cap has shown up again, after vanishing (being picked off) at 4 months. GP previously prescribed some lotion so I plan to use it again but it didn't feel like it made a big impact last time. I just had to keep scraping the cradle cap off which is what worked. Just wondering if anyone has come across any possible reason and solution for the cradle cap please? We bath him every week with just water. So far he hasn't had any other skin issue. Thanks!

Is it particularly bad? Because I’d be inclined to just leave it alone.

@YellowHatt thanks for your reply. It's not too bad yet, and it doesn't seem to bother him. But previously a midwife told us to seek treatment and the GP looked at it and did prescribe a bunch of meds (though I only used the lotion).

Use cradle cap shampoo anf brushes/combs thqt are recommended for it. You shouldn't just pick it off...

@Youcancallmeirrelevant thanks yes I tried to use the brush and comb but they didn't seem very effective.... I'll try resisting my urge to pick it this time....

Cradle cap isn't an issue, it's purely aesthetic. Leave it completely alone because anything you do to it irritates the skin, including picking and scrubbing, all because you don't like the look of it.

The baby's hair will grow over it and hide it. In the meantime you can put a hat on it if you hate how it looks. It doesn't bother your baby at all, only you.

Breast milk if you are breastfeeding.

It's fantastic for cradle cap.

There's no "reason" for it, if by reason you mean something that needs to be cured. It's just something many babies have, not a sign of anything wrong.

I can't believe you've been picking it off, your poor baby

My 8 year old and my 2 year old both still have cradle cap!! Sadly my 6 year old is the only one who would let me pick it off but tragically he has none. Dentinox seems OK but obviously hasn’t worked long term for us!

Some cradle cap can get really bad. I know a young mum who wouldn’t treat it at all even though it was thick and crusty. Poor boy ended up with bald patches!
After a hair wash, when the skin is all soft for five mins, I used to sit mine in his high chair to watch telly for a bit, and just comb through with a nit comb. No products, no hassle.

My 4 year old's cradle cap has only recently disappeared despite using all the various treatments at times.

I didn’t use anything on my first child who still has cradle cap at 3. This time I started using a gentle baby soap once weekly with a flannel and it always looks better after, plus hasn’t got as bad as my eldest. I have pretty bald kids so it is v obvious!

Picking it can lead to infections so I wouldn't pick it off. My 2.5 year old gets it, I've found coconut oil softens it up enough to allow me to use the sponge and comb. I've switched to a shampoo and conditioner that has coconut oil in it and it seems to be working. For my DD, coconut oil seems to be the thing that works best for her sensitive skin as well.

My 7yo still gets it . I wouldn't just leave it, it gets smelly and a bit itchy. Plus when it finally flakes out hair comes with it.
I find it important to dry her hair (long).
I use dentinox and try to rub it in as hard as she allows. I try to rub it a bit more when brushing and drying just a bit each time.

Thank you all for your comments! I'll stick to the lotion and brush and comb this time then

Dentinox was the answer for us - needed to use it for a good few weeks though. Good luck!

Dentinox helped a bit but the best thing was coconut oil left on for half an hour before bath. Then gently pick off or comb off in the bath after shampooing

Our four year old has this and we have tried everything. She has really bad eczema too so dentinox made her skin flare and she has a flaky scalp anyway, with a persistent patch of cradle cap.
We oiled her scalp and brushed about half a cup of it out gently a few months back, it came back again. GP useless.
Following with interest.