You’re three weeks into being a new mom and your baby’s developed yukky oily, yellow scales on her scalp. Not to worry. This condition is infantile seborrheic dermatitis, familiarly known as cradle cap. It’s not a contagious infection—it’s a response to hyperactive oil-secreting glands in your child’s skin.
The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto notes that this extra activity may result from maternal hormones that cross the placental barrier during pregnancy. Although it looks itchy and painful, it may not be bothering Baby at all. Sick Kids suggests rubbing a small amount of baby or olive oil onto your neonate’s scalp. Leave it on for one hour, then wash it off, gently loosening and rubbing off the scales. If it appears to be causing discomfort, ask your doctor about using an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream.
