Best Way to Treat Cradle Cap: What Moms Recommend

Best Way to Treat Cradle Cap (According to Moms Who’ve Been There)

Cradle cap. The flaky, greasy scalp situation getting in the way of you kissing that soft newborn head.

What is it and how can you treat it?

Cradle cap is a common, harmless skin condition in newborns that causes yellowish, scaly patches on the scalp due to excess oil production.

I polled my mom group to find out how other parents handled it. Turns out, the advice generally falls into three categories ranging from pantry staples to TikTok-famous baby kits.

Let’s break them down.

1. Over-the-Counter Oils (a.k.a. the DIY route)

Coconut oil was hands-down the most mentioned remedy. My pediatrician even recommended it: massage a small amount into baby’s scalp an hour before bath time, then rinse and gently comb out flakes.

Other honorable mentions from moms:

Vaseline
Olive oil

These “kitchen cabinet” options are popular for a reason—they’re accessible, cheap, and feel more natural. Some moms liked that they could try these first before purchasing anything special.

Just keep in mind: oil can loosen flakes, but you’ll want to wash it out well so it doesn’t build up or clog pores.

2. Cradle Cap-Specific Products

Some moms skipped the DIY and went straight for products made for the job. Here were the top three name drops I heard over and over:

Mustela Cradle Cap Foam Shampoo for Newborns Gentle, foamy, and has a cult following. Pairs well with a soft brush or cradle cap comb.
Tubby Todd All Over Ointment Technically an all-purpose balm, but lots of parents say it helped cradle cap clear up quickly.
Frida Baby DermaFrida SkinSoother + Cradle Cap System A full-on toolkit: sponge, brush, and comb in one. Baby spa day = cuteness overload.

These products have mixed reviews online, but most moms I asked had positive things to say, especially when paired with some patience and a solid routine.

3. Surprise: Head & Shoulders?

Yup. That’s right.

A few moms told me they used Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Shampoo, with doctor approval. I was skeptical, but it came up enough that I’m including it here. This one is definitely not baby-specific, so always talk to your pediatrician first before trying something off-label. Bonus: this lesser-known trick is also budget friendly. $$

A Few Quick Tips

Stick to one method at a time. Don’t layer five things on your baby’s scalp in the same day. Try something for a few days or a week to see if it works before switching.
Be gentle. Flakes can be stubborn, but scrubbing too hard can irritate sensitive skin.
Talk to your doctor. Always! Especially if the cradle cap spreads or looks inflamed.

Cradle cap is super common, and while it can look a little scary, it usually doesn’t bother your baby. Hopefully one of these methods helps clear things up—and gives you one less thing to worry about during those early weeks.

Got a go-to trick? Message me on Instagram—I’d love to hear it. @FindMamaCare