Cradle cap shows up as greasy, yellowish patches on a baby’s scalp, most often during the first six months. It has nothing to do with milk, it isn’t itchy and it isn’t contagious. A mild shampoo, a soft brush and a little patience are almost always enough.
This article draws on the recommendations published by Santé.fr, the French public health information service, updated on 12 August 2026. It adds those of the NHS, the UK’s National Health Service, reviewed on 3 October 2025. Both sources agree on the essentials and differ on one point: which emollient or oil to use.
What is cradle cap?
Its medical name is infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis. According to Santé.fr, the crusts are linked to the skin producing too much sebum, not to milk. Dead skin cells clump together with this sebum and form a scaly layer in which yeasts can grow.
The patches can be whitish, yellowish, greyish or brownish. They often start around the fontanelle, then may spread to the rest of the scalp. They sometimes appear on the face, behind the ears, in skin folds or on the bottom.
Is it serious or contagious?
No. The NHS describes cradle cap as a harmless and common skin condition in babies. It isn’t itchy and doesn’t hurt. Babies can’t catch it from another child. Santé.fr adds that it is neither serious nor particularly bothersome for the child, even if it doesn’t look very nice.
How long does it last?
Without care, it can persist for months. With regular care, it usually clears within a few days or a few weeks, according to Santé.fr. The NHS says it eventually goes away on its own within a few months.
Cradle cap: what can you do at home?
Both authorities recommend the same basics: wash gently, soften the crusts, then loosen them without forcing.
The everyday care recommended by Santé.fr
- Wash your baby’s hair 2 to 3 times a week with a mild shampoo.
- Brush the scalp every day with a very soft baby brush.
- Only use toiletries designed for babies, ideally hypoallergenic ones.
Loosening crusts that are already there
Santé.fr describes a simple routine. In the evening, shampoo your baby’s hair, including over the fontanelle, then apply petroleum jelly to the crusts overnight. The next morning, shampoo again and brush gently with a soft-bristled brush. The softened crusts then come away. Repeat every day until they have gone.
The NHS suggests a variation. It advises gently massaging the scalp with an emollient, meaning a moisturising cream, or with coconut oil. You then brush with a soft brush and wash with baby shampoo. Any hairs that come away with the crusts will grow back: this isn’t a problem.
The routine fits easily into bath time. Our article on the best time for baby’s bath, evening or morning will help you plan it, and the evening shampoo slots in naturally.
What to avoid
The NHS lists several common mistakes. Keeping them in mind helps you avoid irritating skin that is already delicate.
- Picking or scratching the crusts: this increases the risk of infection.
- Peanut oil, because of the risk of allergy.
- Olive oil, which the NHS considers not well suited to the skin.
- Soap, adult shampoos and fragranced products.
Santé.fr stresses a related point. Unsuitable toiletries can irritate the skin and keep sebum production high. So the choice of cleanser matters. Our guide to baby soap explains what to look for when choosing one.
Petroleum jelly, coconut oil or emollient: which to choose?
The two sources don’t name the same product. Santé.fr recommends petroleum jelly overnight. The NHS mentions an emollient or coconut oil and advises against olive and peanut oils. Neither presents its choice as the only option.
In practice, the key is to soften the crusts without irritating the skin. A simple, fragrance-free emollient or oil, applied sparingly, works in most cases. A pharmacist can recommend a suitable emollient or shampoo, as the NHS points out. Santé.fr also mentions pharmacy products that regulate sebum or moisturise the skin.
When should you see a doctor about cradle cap?
Santé.fr advises seeing a doctor within the next few days in three situations. The crusts haven’t cleared after a few weeks of care. They are spreading to the rest of the body, or the bottom becomes red. They look infected.
The NHS adds other signs: crusts that bleed or ooze, swollen areas, or cradle cap that spreads over the whole body. These signs may point to an infection or another condition, such as atopic eczema.
Possible complications
According to Santé.fr, the crusts can become infected by bacteria or by a yeast, Candida. They can also spread over the whole body: this is known as Leiner’s disease (maladie de Leiner-Moussous). In some cases, they develop into atopic eczema. A doctor may prescribe an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antifungal cream, sometimes combined with a topical antibiotic.
Cradle cap or eczema?
The difference often shows in how your baby behaves. Cradle cap isn’t itchy and your baby shows no discomfort. Eczema is itchy, makes the skin red and disturbs sleep. If in doubt, your doctor will decide. To find out more about infant eczema, see our article on how common eczema is in babies. For redness in the nappy area, our article on nappy rash also sets out the official recommendations.
Organising bath time to make the routine easier
A successful hair wash needs two free hands and a well-supported baby. The height of the bathing surface matters, especially if the routine is repeated every day for one to two weeks. Our baby bath comparison covers the models that let you stand while bathing. A foldable baby bath with stand saves you leaning over the big bath.
Get the brush, shampoo and towel ready before you start. Rinse thoroughly, shielding your baby’s eyes with your hand. Pat dry without rubbing the scalp. If your baby has lots of hair, our article on baby’s first haircut points out that there is no medical reason to cut it to treat cradle cap.
Key takeaways
- Cradle cap is a harmless, non-contagious seborrhoeic dermatitis that has nothing to do with milk.
- Mild shampoo 2 to 3 times a week and daily brushing with a very soft brush.
- For crusts that are already there: an emollient or oil in the evening, then shampoo and gentle brushing in the morning.
- Don’t pick them off; avoid peanut oil, soap and fragranced products.
- See a doctor if they last several weeks, spread, bleed or look infected.
Sources
- Santé.fr, French public health information service, “Croûtes de lait (dermite séborrhéique)”, updated on 12 August 2026.
- NHS, “Cradle cap”, page reviewed on 3 October 2025, next review due on 3 October 2028.
