Cradle Cap: How Cetaphil Baby is Helping Us

This post is in collaboration with Ehm&Co and Cetaphil Baby. All opinions and cradle cap stories are my own.

No matter how many kids I have I am always astounded at how little I know about parenting.

Not that I have no idea what I am doing, I am the most confident I have ever been in this journey but there is a learning curve that not only changes with each kid but also with their (and my) moods. The curve is more like a rollercoaster and I am closing my eyes and trying to not pass out during the scary parts.

For all the tips, tricks and knowledge that parenting books spew to parents there should also be a disclaimer saying “Even if you memorize all this you still know nothing”. Nothing. Absolutely Nothing. Because just when you get the hang of things and feel like everything is going all right your kid will decide to hate their favourite food, get some diet issue, or grow some extra skin. <–This has all happened to me, ALL OF IT!

The Cradle Cap Discovery

It was August 17th, 2015 when I once again had a parenting lesson to learn. It was the day I not only discovered what cradle cap was but then had the pleasure of removing enough dead skin off of my baby to make another one, almost. 

I was holding my youngest in my lap when something caught my eye. Under his dapper-like hair-do, there was dry, scaly and yellow skin…everywhere. I had never seen something like this before. Even though my older kids had some skin sensitivities there was never anything like this. My husband suggested the Emergency Room (he always suggest the Emerg) and I quickly turned to the Internet to find out what was going on.

It was cradle cap or what professionals call seborrheic dermatitis. It is a common issue in the first weeks or months of baby’s life and clears up on its own. Completely harmless and no need to visit the Emerg but it was gross and now that I knew it was there I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

The internet once again came to my rescue with an easy DIY where I slathered my little guy’s scalp with coconut oil (you can use baby oil or petroleum jelly as well) and wrapped it with clear plastic wrap. Since his cradle cap was on his whole head I left it for a few hours while we played.

I started off with a fine tooth comb (you can use a soft toothbrush or baby brush) around the edges and worked my way around the perimeter all while in the comfort of my living room couch. Don’t do this. Once the older kids started seeing what was coming off of his head they crowded around like it was a show and it was messy. Off to the bath where the warm, soapy water helped with the hard work ahead.

I combed up, down and from side-to-side. I literally kneeled in front of the tub watching pieces of dry skin baby fall off his head and into the bath like tiny little islands. It was a process that included emptying the bathtub and refilling with clean water but once we did that initial removal we finished off with a gentle body wash and finally let him get some rest.

Cetaphil Baby

Although our little guy still gets small patches of cradle cap on his scalp we are on the lookout for it and try to use products that won’t aggravate the condition. There is no known cause for cradle cap although we have found daily baths and a gently brushing afterward really does help to control it.

For the past couple of weeks, our family has been using the Cetaphil Baby line of products line of products. They are made from calming organic calendula which is an extract from the marigold flower. They are free of parabens, colourants, and mineral oil and are hypoallergenic and pH balanced. The moisturizers even contain sunflower and sweet almond oils to help bring moisture back into the skin. No wonder pediatricians recommend the dermatologist tested line.

The scent is floral enough to be pleasing but not overpowering enough that my oldest son won’t use them. The Ultra Moisturizing Wash and Wash & Shampoo (seriously who doesn’t love 2-in-1’s?) have now taken their places on the side of our tub and the Moisturizing Oil and Daily Lotion are by our bed so that we can put them on the kids after baths as they get ready for bed. The only thing better than the smell of a baby is the smell of a bigger kid that is clean from a bath.

We originally were looking for a line that would be gentle enough to use daily on our littlest guy but in the course of trying out the line the older kids are also finding some relief to their dry skin as well, particularly the Moisturizing Oil. It’s not tacky and absorbs really quickly so that from the time we apply to the time that pyjamas are put on the clothes don’t get stained.

Check Out the Whole Line

Aneta Alaei

Aneta is a Toronto-based mom of four that loves a good meal, great company, and learning something new. In her free time, you can find her trying to keep yet another plant alive.

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