As a new mama, you’re constantly admiring your little one’s soft skin, tiny toes, and sweet coos. But then—flaky, greasy, or yellowish patches appear on their scalp. What is this? Should you be worried?
Take a deep breath, mama—this is cradle cap, and it’s completely normal!

What Is Cradle Cap?

Cradle cap (infantile seborrheic dermatitis) is a common and harmless skin condition that appears as scaly, yellowish, or crusty patches on a baby’s scalp. While it may not be the cutest thing to look at, it doesn’t cause discomfort or itchiness.
The good news? Cradle cap typically clears up on its own. But if you’d like to help the process along, here are a few gentle, mom-approved ways to care for your baby’s scalp.

How to Treat Cradle Cap

1. Wash Baby’s Scalp with a Gentle Shampoo
Using a mild baby shampoo, like Noodle & Boo’s Extra Gentle Shampoo, helps remove excess oil and loosen flakes during bath time. Pair it with a soft silicone brush to lather and lift away buildup gently.

Pro Tip: Wash your baby’s hair every other day—washing too often can dry out their delicate scalp, making cradle cap worse.

2. Use a Soft Brush to Loosen Flakes
After bath time, gently massage the scalp with a soft baby brush or a fine-toothed comb. This helps lift flakes without irritating baby’s delicate skin.
Avoid picking at the scales! It may be tempting, but peeling them off can cause redness, irritation, or even infection.

3. Moisturize with Ultimate Ointment
If flakes seem stubborn, apply a light layer of Noodle & Boo’s Ultimate Ointment onto baby’s scalp after bath time to soften them even more.

How to use:
•    Apply a thin layer to a clean, dry scalp.
•    Cover with a soft cotton cap for extra hydration.
•    Reapply twice daily and rinse with Extra Gentle Shampoo during baby’s next bath.

4. Be Patient & Keep It Simple
Cradle cap is completely normal and temporary—most cases clear within a few weeks or months. The key is to keep baby’s scalp clean, gently exfoliated, and hydrated.

Caring for Baby Acne: Everything You Need to Know

You’ve spent months preparing for your little one’s arrival, researching everything from pregnancy nutrition to newborn sleep. But one thing many parents don’t expect? Baby acne.
One moment, your newborn’s skin is soft and smooth—then tiny red bumps appear on their face. Before you worry, know that baby acne (neonatal acne) is completely normal, harmless, and temporary. It usually fades within a few weeks.

What Does Baby Acne Look Like?

•    Tiny red or white bumps (similar to mild pimples)
•    Appears on cheeks, forehead, chin, and scalp
•    May look slightly inflamed but not dry or flaky
Baby acne isn’t caused by dirt or oil buildup like teenage acne. Instead, it’s believed to be triggered by maternal hormones passed to baby during pregnancy.

What Causes Baby Acne?

Your baby’s skin is incredibly sensitive. Newborns are still adjusting to life outside the womb, and their delicate skin reacts easily to common irritants like:

•    Spit-up or breast milk residue
•    Harsh detergents or rough fabrics
•    Heat or humidity trapped under clothing
Since newborns are still developing their skin barrier, it’s natural for their skin to experience minor conditions like baby acne, cradle cap, and rashes.

How to Treat & Prevent Baby Acne

1. Wash Baby’s Face with a Mild Cleanser
Use warm water and Noodle & Boo’s Newborn 2-in-1 Hair & Body Wash to gently cleanse baby’s face. Avoid scrubbing—just a soft washcloth and a gentle touch are enough.
According to Columbia Doctors, baby acne isn’t linked to how often your baby is bathed. Once the umbilical stump falls off, baby can have daily baths. Until then, a sponge bath is just fine!
On-the-Go Tip: Use Noodle & Boo’s Ultimate Cleansing Cloths to gently wipe away spit-up, milk residue, or excess oil.

2. Keep Baby’s Skin Clean & Dry
Let baby’s skin breathe! Dress them in soft, breathable cotton and change clothing if it gets damp from spit-up or drool.

When to Call the Pediatrician

Both cradle cap and baby acne usually resolve on their own, but check in with your pediatrician if:
•    The rash spreads, worsens, or becomes inflamed
•    Baby’s skin appears infected (weeping, oozing, or warm to the touch)
•    The condition doesn’t improve after a few months

At Noodle & Boo, we’re here to help make baby skincare simple, safe, and effective. From eczema-friendly solutions to cradle cap care, our Ultimate Ointment and Fragrance-Free Collection are designed to nourish sensitive skin from head to toe.

Have you dealt with cradle cap or baby acne? What worked for your little one? Let us know!

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