The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Olive Oil
Posted by Rachel (Hartford, Ct, Usa) on 08/26/2010
★★★★★
My daughter had what was probably an average case of cradle cap. Thinking I'd save myself the time and aggravation, I went straight to a big box baby store and bought an expensive cradle cap shampoo that all of my friends with babies swore by. Not only didn't the stuff work, it was super greasy and smelled HORRIBLE. My husband had to wash our daughter's head something like four times in a row to get the grossness out, and even then, her hair still felt oily and I had to suppress the gag reflex when I nursed her because she continued to smell like this shampoo. When I brought up my daughter's cradle cap problem at my local mommy group, the lactation consultant who runs the group recommended olive oil. She said to leave it on for twenty minutes to allow the cradle cap to soften, then gently comb out the flakes with a fine-tooth comb. That night before her bath, I did just that. I filled a little dish with some extra virgin olive oil, then put my daughter in her Bjorn facing outward so she could be distracted by a show on TV and not touch her head with her hands. I placed a rolled-up burp cloth behind her head to prevent oil from getting all over my shirt. I dipped a finger in the oil and applied it to her head, rubbing it in gently. We watched TV, walked around the house for a bit, and straightened up the kitchen to kill those twenty minutes, and then I grabbed her comb. The flakes came off with almost no effort at all, and I got most of the cradle cap with one application. The rest of it came off with the next treatment two days later. My husband and I were thrilled. This solution is simple, cheap, and according to my husband, makes your baby smell delicious!
Essential Oils
Posted by Mary (Middle, Tn) on 12/01/2015
★★★★★
My daughter is 7 and has cradle cap since birth. I've done baking soda which worked some, but it seemed to have come back. We are wheat free, sugar free, etc so I am surprised she even has it. She only drinks kefir and never has lactose. Anyway, I am so tired of not being able to part her hair in certain areas. I saw this treatment on a blog and tried it (I've tried several natural treatments over the years) and I knew it was going to work instantly. I used a carrier oil, in this case sweet almond oil, but I think anything would work, with a few drops of lemon essential oil and a few drops of melaleuca (tea tree) essential oil. If I had to guess, I used about a half cup of carrier oil to 6 drops lemon and 8 drops melaleuca.
I took out a comb and put a small amount of the oil mixture in her hair along a parted section. It IMMEDIATELY soaked in and allowed me to comb the flakes right off. It didn't hurt her a bit. I went through and did section after section, just using the small end of a tapered comb (where the little tines get really close together) and her scalp looks like new. I then washed her hair twice with an all natural shampoo and the oil is all gone, and the cradle cap is all gone. I am so happy. I'm also a little shocked after all this time, it's really gone!
Baking Soda Paste
Posted by New Mom (Oakville, Ontario) on 04/24/2013
★★★★★
My 6 week old son had is spot of cradle cap on his eyebrow. I applied the baking soda paste and let sit for 10 mins before his bath and usingwarm water and a wash cloth gently wiped the paste off in an upward motion to avoid getting any in his eye. One treatment and the spot was gone!
The only thing to be aware of is that when the paste dryd on the eyebrow it becomes very loose and gritty, you need to be careful the dry bits don't get in your baby's eye.... this can be challenging if they cry and scrunch their forehead.
I highly recommend this treatment!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Emily (Charlotte, NC) on 11/18/2008
★★★★★
I nanny for infant twins who had terrible cradle cap. We began using a cotton ball to apply undiluted organic apple cider vinegar to their heads twice on bath day only, which is twice a week for them. To my knowledge, this was just to control the smell. Within a week or so, the cradle cap had drastically improved and after 2 weeks, was completely gone. We continue the application to ensure that it doesn't come back. I'm a believer and now am looking into remedies for myself!
Antibacterial Soap
Posted by Tina (Edgecomb, Maine USA) on 02/24/2009
★★★★★
My daughter had a beautiful thick jet black head of hair and a horrible case of cradle cap - My Pediatrician told me to wash her hair with Liquid Dial Gold anti bacterial soap. I did and it worked. The cradle cap was gone after 2 or 3 washings.
Antibacterial Soap
Posted by Mommy V (Washington, D. C. ) on 05/05/2011
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
Warning - wide use of commercial antibacterial soaps, with low-grade antimicrobials like triclosan, has been a significant factor in the rise of MRSA and other bacterial superbugs in the states. Our pediatrician, our naturopath, and my father's physician all recommended we get rid of antibacterial soaps in our house. (You can make your own antimicrobial soap using essential oils or grapefruit seed extract.)
Olive Oil
Posted by Dovechilla (London, Uk) on 05/07/2017
The secret in getting oil out of hair is not wetting the hair before using shampoo. That's because water and oil don't combine well and water slides off oil, making the soap work harder to get rid of lots of oily matter. Just apply your usual shampoo directly onto the oily hair, lather into a thick paste, and only then rinse with warm water. Voilà, gone in one.
Baking Soda Paste
Posted by Chastity (Seattle, Wa) on 07/09/2016
★★★★★
I combined a handful of baking soda and about 2 tablespoons of water. I applied the paste to my infant's scalp and I massaged gently for about 1 minute. I used a baby comb to remove the large flakes and buildup. I rinsed the paste out with warm water and the cradle cap/buildup was gone. It hasn't returned, and it's been 4+ months.
Vitamin B-6
Posted by Dee (Australia) on 07/18/2015
★★★★★
B6 for Cradle cap:
Most cradle's cap is due to a deficiency of Vitamin B6 and magnesium (B6 needs magnesium to be absorbed).
*Take B6. A nursing mother should take 30mg of P5P (P5P is the best form of B6, it is active B6) supplement each day for at least a month, plus 250 milligrams of magnesium.
Topical B6 for Cradle cap.
This works very very well.
*Apply a vit-b6 salve or cream to head 2x daily for 2 to 3 days.
Topical B6 recipe:
Things You'll Need
- Vitamin P5P (B6) capsules (or tablets)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Mortar and pestle (*if using tablets.)
- Measuring cup
Instructions:
1. Using P5P capsules is best because there is less fillers in the capsules than the tablets. If using tablets, Mortar and pestle. Crush two or three Vitamin B6 tablets with a mortar and pestle until very fine.
2. Measure 1/4 cup vegetable oil and pour into a clean bowl. Add crushed B6 tablets and mix well.
3. Apply mixture to baby's scalp two times daily. The cradle cap should clear up in two days.
Baking Soda Paste
Posted by K Kendera (Nassau, Bahamas) on 03/23/2013
★★★★★
I noticed that my five week old had cradle cap and it really worried me so I went online to see if I could find a home remedy and I stumbled upon this site. I had heard that baking soda was good for acne but never thought it would work for cradle cap. Hesitant, but I gave it a shot. I AM SPEECHLESS! IT WORKS!! I made the paste, left it on for about five to ten minutes then I wet her soft hair brush and brushed the areas where the CC was, rinced, and it was gone. My girl and I are thankful.
Baby Oil
Posted by Barbara (Los Angeles, Ca. United States) on 05/16/2012
★★★★★
My baby boy developed a bad case of Cradle Cap when he was only 3 months old.
A friend of the family used Baby Oil on his scalp to soften the junk on his scalp and a small Comb to comb out the Cradle Cap and this worked for my baby boy. The Cradle Cap combed right out.
Baking Soda Paste
Posted by Rosie (Blue Mountains, Australia) on 07/13/2012
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I used this paste on my daughter and she screamed while it was on and as I was rinsing it out. The cradle cap looks like it is mostly gone but now her scalp is red raw and looks really sore. I wouldn't recommend this remedy.
Baking Soda Paste
Posted by Ife (Uk) on 02/28/2015
★★★★★
It worked a treat. I used the baking soda mix on my 3 month old baby. After first application cradle cap was gone, but after a few days a small amounts of it came back after a second application was gone and has never came back.
I also told my mother to use this on her scalp as she had flaky dry skin almost looked like cradle cap after 3 applications it has not come back.
Jojoba Oil
Posted by Jazzz (Delta Junction, Alaska, Usa) on 03/19/2013
★★★★★
My son developed bad cradle cap (we live in a dry cabin), I tried baking soda which did work well but the cradle cap came back. The next time I tried washing my three year old's scalp with baking soda I accidentely got some in his eyes while rinsing (which I am sure was painful! ) I decided to find an alternative and found Jojoba oil. This stuff works BETTER than baking soda. I just smeared it over his cradle cap and let it sit over night and then washed his hair. If you have a little one please try this method! It works better and you don't have to worry about getting it in eyes.
Kombucha
Posted by Christi (Little Rock, Arkansas) on 05/15/2012
★★★★★
My son had terrible cradle cap that went from his eyebrows straight back to the crown of his head. It was terribly thick and crusty. Everytime I would wash it off it would be back by the next morning. I tried olive oil, coconut oil, Oil of Oregano, Apple Cider Vinegar etc. With no avail.
It then occured to me that perhaps Kombucha's acidity and probiotics might help. So the next bath I washed of the cradle cap secretions and put a fresh kombucha scoby on top of his head and left it there for 10 or 15 minutes, then rinsed his head with water. The next morning his head was smooth and shiny bald (the cradle cap was retarding hair growth). The cradle cap was completely gone and two months later it is still gone, replaced with a headful of hair and an impeccably healthy scalp!
Kombucha
Posted by Ashleigh (Austin Tx) on 01/10/2014
Kombucha can not be found in wal-mart, yet anyway. However here in Texas super HEBs will sometimes carry the brand GT Synergy in the health food isle, with the protein shakes and what not. Sprouts also carries a variety of brands. To get the scoby, you are most likely going to need to find someone on CL ( craigslist ) and get a scoby from them. the scoby is the 'mother' that you actually ferment the drink from. If you have not already, looking into Kombucha is well worth the time spent. We live off of them in our house!!
Olive Oil
Posted by Mommy V (Washington, D. C. ) on 05/05/2011
★★★★★
My 16-month old developed cradle cap after nearly a year of clear scalp. I was unwilling to try dandruff shampoos as they can burn the eyes. I used about a Tbs of olive oil. I massaged it into his scalp with my fingers, let it sit for approx 1 minute, and then brushed the flakes out gently with an old baby toothbrush. I then washed his hair with regular shampoo (mostly working the shampoo into the hair and leaving the scalp alone). The first treatment improved the condition by about 75%. I did it once more a few days later, and he's back to 100%! It also seemed to soothe his itching head, which he had been scratching for weeks. (I did not have any problem washing the oil out of his hair, but his hair is very short. Might be more of a problem with girls.)
Olive Oil
Posted by Diamond (Salisbury, Ma.usa) on 05/06/2011
Wow, that sounds like a great idea, my son had real thick hair, my sister said she used baby oil. But I think most oils do help. Thank you for your input.
Olive Oil
Posted by Toya (London, Uk) on 10/04/2011
★★★★★
I mixed some herbs with water and olive oil and or a few drops of almond oil - add some rosemary, thyme, to a small desert bowl of cooled boiled water, add some olive oil and almond oil, leave for a few minutes for the mixture to infuse. Pour into an old bottle if you want and then use again later by heating up the oil and water mix over a bowl of hot water. Anyway, I use this with cotton wool like a small shampoo or refreshing wash - it works the best for the itching and for cradle cap. Ive tried lots of other things but they pull the hair out or leave my baby's scalp white.
Coffee
Posted by Kitty (Bellingham, Wa) on 06/01/2010
★★★★★
Cradle Cap - Coffee. My grandson had cradle cap. I applied some cooled, black brewed coffee to his scalp one time and the cradle cap was gone. I was never sure if it was the coffee or it was just gone by coincidence. Coffee is acid like vinegar but doesn't smell as bad. Also good for itchy scalp.
Dandruff Shampoo
Posted by April (Memphis, Tn) on 07/15/2009
★★★★★
When my son was a baby he had severe cradle cap. I used dandruff shampoo and after washing his hair a couple of of times, his cradle cap was completely gone.
Baking Soda Paste
Posted by Melinda (Ballarat, Victoria, Australia) on 05/28/2009
★★★★★
This one has been in my family for decades. Want to see instant results? It's wonderful. To get rid of cradle cap simply mix together 2 tablespoons of bi-carb soda with enough water to make a thick paste. About 40 mls of water. Gently rub the paste in to the baby's scalp for a minute and rinse off with warm water. Once a day.The cradle cap usually disappears completely within a few days. Try it, it works.
Baking Soda Paste
Posted by Jessicab (Lorton, Va) on 10/31/2009
★★★★★
WoW!! Thank you for the suggestion of using Bi-carb soda (Baking Soda) and water to make a paste for my baby's cradle cap. I've been alternating with olive oil one day and apple cider vinegar the next. It was working..but very very slowly. I tried the Bi-carb soda paste last night. Made the paste, slathered and rubbed in to daughter's scalp about 20 minutes before bath. I rinsed it out, took a VERY SOFT baby brush and did circular motions around head and then proceeded to wash her head with baby shampoo, rinsed with warm water and WOW what a huge difference. 90% of the cradle cap is gone! I will do it again in a couple of days. I believe you said it typically takes a few doses to cure.
Excellent tip..thanks again!
Baking Soda Paste
Posted by Ilan (Sydney, Nsw, Australia) on 02/05/2010
★★★★★
I tried this solution and it worked perfectly. First time and it's 99% gone. THANK YOU!
Baking Soda Paste
Posted by Dc Mom (Washington, Dc) on 08/06/2010
★★★★★
This was perfect! We probably got almost all of the cradle cap off. We made the paste and put it on his head (which he hated) and bathed the rest of him. Rinsed it off after the bath and then brushed and brushed and brushed. His head smells so much better now.
Baking Soda Paste
Posted by Webiegail (Irvine, California) on 10/21/2010
★★★★★
Wow! It worked! I've been trying to get rid of my girl's cradle cap for 3 years now. Last night I applied baking soda paste on her scalp, gave her a gentle scalp massage then rinsed her hair with warm water and it was gone! All gone! I couldn't believe my eyes. :)
Baking Soda Paste
Posted by Nikki (Los Angeles, Ca) on 12/02/2010
★★★★★
This is the best! I had the hardest time trying to get rid of the cradle cap on my 1mo old son's head... But once I tried the baking soda paste I saw instant results... I used it 3x's n last night was the last application, n this morning NO MORE CRADLE CAP!! I'm so happy!
Baking Soda Paste
Posted by Christinet (Scarborough, Ontario, Canada) on 01/06/2011
★★★★★
Absolutely agree! My first son had it so bad I wish I had known about this, now with my second son (3rd child) I used this on his head and ears whenever I see it starting and it's worked like a charm. Not sure if it's preventing it as well. Also seems to assist in taking care of the baby acne too as they seem to be related.
Baking Soda Paste
Posted by Tara (Palmerston North, New Zealand) on 02/08/2011
★★★★★
Our three month old girl didn't have a lot of cradle cap but I used the Baking Soda and now there is not a trace of CC left!!!
Baking Soda Paste
Posted by Gio (Atlanta, Georgia, Usa) on 05/10/2011
★★★★★
My grandson developed cradle cap about 15 days ago, and we applied one treatment of the baking soda; left it a while, and after it dried up we rinsed and combed. It was 100% gone.
Baking Soda Paste
Posted by Mommyxquatro (Pine Bluff, Ar) on 05/29/2011
★★★★★
All I can say is thank you. I used this method a few nights ago on my 2 month olds cradle cap and WOW, WOW, WOW it was AMAZING. His cradle cap was 100% GONE. His cradle cap was so thick and smelly it also took patches of his hair out it was HORRIBLE. I was desperate for a natural solution and God delivered me to this site. I can't say anything other than thank you.
Baking Soda Paste
Posted by Lindsey (Panama City, Fl.) on 07/31/2011
★★★★★
i used this on my daughter ( 3 months).... She had mild cradle cap.... 1st treatment took care of it! WOW! So happy!
Baking Soda Paste
Posted by Sandee (Wellington, New Zealand) on 12/15/2011
★★★★★
It worked a treat. I slapped on a good layer of the paste onto my 8 week old son's head. Left it for 15 mins and then gently brushed the paste off with a soft tooth brush. All gone, very happy baby and mum.
Baking Soda Paste
Posted by Amanda (Markham, Ontario) on 04/30/2012
★★★★★
This took most of the cradle cap away... I'll likely have to do it one more time, cuz my daughter has a pretty bad case of it... Plus she has loads of thick hair making it harder to access the scalp. But this seems to have worked the best out of other remedies tried. Plus she has acne and baking soda/water wash is also used to help with that... I kill two birds with one stone. Thank you!
Baking Soda Paste
Posted by Amy (Cologne, Mn) on 06/01/2012
★★★★★
worked great!! Will repeat tomorrow
Baking Soda Paste
Posted by Mommy (Houston, Tx) on 03/06/2014
★★★★★
I am so happy to have found this site. After my son's pediatrician suggested Head and Shoulders (!!!!) as a good treatment for my just barely 2 month old son I knew it would be up to me to find a natural, gentle, chem-free solution. Imagine putting all those chemicals on his head? My word. We used the baking soda paste twice n his moderate cradle cap and its 95% gone. I put it on, gently rubbed it in, left it on during his bath, combed it very softly, and then rinsed out.
We followed with organic olive oil which we again left on for a few minutes, combed, and then shampooed out. this delivered outstanding results, my baby's head is back to being pretty and healthy again. Thank you!!
Baking Soda Paste
Posted by Fiona (Essex, UK) on 09/14/2014
★★★★★
My grandson had quite severe cradle cap. We tried Dentinox shampoo but this really irritated it. Tried bicarbonate of soda paste and rinsed it off and most came off after a massage with baby oil gel.
Antibacterial Soap
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 05/05/2011
Mommy, I wouldn't use any anti-microbial soap, to be honest.... We need some microbes around in order to build up our immune system. They think that a lot more children have leukemia nowadays exactly because of our obsession with cleaniness and little girls who have no big brothers are at risk too because the brothers bring home the dirt they need for their immune system. Be careful.......
Antibacterial Soap
Posted by Diamond (Salisbury, Ma.usa) on 05/06/2011
Mommy V. I never buy all that stuff coming out in regular stores, I buy all my soaps at whole food stores or health food & herbs.... I was using plain ole soap like dove, ivory, palmolive and my face aged by ten years, now I use the very best of natural soaps and my face glows it has tightened up with no signs of wrinkles, I actually feel great.
