Mama, we know the shock of looking at your newborn baby’s adorable little head and seeing yellowish, thick, and flaky patches all over! But we promise it’s okay! It’s called cradle cap, and although it may look bad, it doesn’t hurt your baby. It’s not even considered inflammatory. Millions of babies have cradle crap, and millions of Mamas have said, “Oh my gosh, what’s this?!” We promise it’s totally normal! It doesn’t mean you haven’t washed your baby enough or anything like that. But of course, we want to kiss those flakes goodbye asap! Unfortunately, no one really knows for sure HOW babies get cradle cap, there’s a couple prevailing theories about Mama’s hormones and some placenta fungi being the root cause, but there’s still no definitive answer. We do, however, have an answer for how to get rid of it!

But before we get there, let’s go over just a few DOs and DON’TS when it comes to treating your baby’s cradle cap. It might seem tempting to try whatever you can to get rid of those scaly, dry spots on your baby’s head, but there are things you definitely should and should not do. Trust us Mama, we’ve got you covered!

Do not use any kind of harsh, adult dandruff shampoo!

When trying to eliminate those flaky cradle cap patches, you might think of using an adult dandruff-fighting shampoo. But don’t do that, Mama! Adult shampoos that treat dandruff can contain powerful chemicals and additives like SLS, that can strip or irritate your newborn’s delicate skin. They also might not work at treating your child’s cradle cap. You need a treatment that’s safe, effective, and designed specifically for the most delicate newborn skin. Our Tubby Todd Bye-Bye Cradle Cap Gel and other hair and skincare products are all formulated to be free of SLS/SLES so they’re non-irritating for your child.

Do not scratch at your baby’s cradle cap!

In theory, scratching away your baby’s thick, dry patches appears like it could work, but you’ll only end up making things worse and could even end up hurting your little one! What you need is something that softens and moisturizes your child’s scalp, allowing you to rub away the flakes instead.

Do not freak out!

This one might sound easy, but feeling like there’s something very wrong with your little one is horrible for any parent. Sometimes that panic can result in trying methods or remedies that are not safe or effective. All you want to do is help, but sometimes it’s best to take a deep breath before doing anything too drastic. It’s okay to be concerned, but there’s nothing unusual going on, cradle cap might seem a little gross, but that’s really all it is!

If you think it might be eczema, it’s always best to ask the experts, like your child’s pediatrician. If it does turn out to be eczema instead…

Do use our Mama-trusted All Over Ointment Eczema Treatment

Eczema, in comparison to cradle cap, usually causes red skin, itching, and rashes that might even ooze and bleed—ouch! Unlike cradle cap, eczema can be very painful and uncomfortable. That’s why we’ve created solutions that work! It’s possible to have both cradle cap and eczema of course and in that case, building your baby’s skincare routine is extremely important. We’re always creating skincare solutions you can rely on to tackle all kinds of irritated skin and other concerns!

Do follow our step-by-step cradle cap care guide!

Here at Tubby Todd we have years of experience treating cradle cap. We’ve designed shampoos and routines to help you soothe your child’s skin like magic! Follow along with our step-by-step guide and your baby’s cradle cap should disappear soon!

Our 4-Step Routine to Treat Your Baby’s Cradle Cap

1. Gel Up That Brush!

Once you and your baby are enjoying some quality Mama-Baby bathtime, that’s when Tubby Todd gets to work!  Make sure you have our Silicone Scrub Brush though, it’s a must-have for any successful bathtime and essential for our scalp-care routine. You can find the brush in our Bye-Bye Cradle Cap Bundle, full of everything you need to follow our step-by-step guide. If you already have the other items in the bundle, you can shop the Tubby Accessories Bundle. It comes with the scrub brush, our Silicone Sweet Cheeks butt paste-applying Spatula, and a handy canvas storage bag too! With your baby’s hair already wet, this is when you apply a small, dime-sized amount of our Bye-Bye Cradle Cap Gel. Mama, you don’t have to worry about Tubby Todd products having yucky ingredients you’re not okay with. Unlike other shampoos, this one is made with you and your baby in mind. Made without parabens, sulfates, mineral oils and petrochemicals we use only the best gentle ingredients instead. It uses antimicrobial Pyrithione Zinc to combat the cradle cap and Aloe Vera Leaf Juice and Olive Fruit Oil to keep your baby’s scalp nourished and hydrated. Lather up the small dollop of gel and then massage it into their scalp. Then, with our trusty yellow brush, you can rub those flakes away. So satisfying! After rubbing it in and massaging, you can rinse it all out. So fresh, so clean!

2. Don’t Stop the Suds Party

Included in our Bye-Bye Cradle Cap Bundle is our hypoallergenic Hair + Body Wash. This is when you can use that trusty brush again to lather like it matters with a body wash and shampoo that doesn’t strip or dry out skin! Free from synthetic fragrances and other harsh ingredients, it actually adds hydration to little one’s skin. Use just one pump to clean deep and keep your infant’s sensitive skin soft and moisturized.

3. Dry Spots Watch Out

After drying off and a few sweet snuggles, it’s time for the All Over Ointment! It’s not only good to rub all over, it soothes a variety of sensitivities including rashes, irritation, eczema, dry skin—you name it! Its impressive blend of Jojoba Esters, Camellia Leaf Extract, and Colloidal Oatmeal can help alleviate your baby’s skin concerns. Apply our smooth and never-greasy ointment to those remaining dry patches. Rub the cream in gently, but it doesn’t need to be fully blended. And don’t worry about getting it on the bed or other fabrics, it washes right out!

4. Residue Removal Time

You can always give your baby another wash in the morning to take care of any leftover flakes or ointment residue. Nobody likes waking up with ointment left in their hair! And that’s it, great job Mama!