Lifestyle

Do These 3 Things to Get Rid of Cradle Cap

Published

5 years ago

February 28, 2021

People warn us about a lot of things when they see that you’re pregnant or when your newborn baby is swaddled in your arms. You’ve probably heard the same warnings over and over again – “enjoy your sleep while you can get it,” “take naps when the baby naps,” and the warnings that the terrible twos are nothing compared to the horrible 3’s.

But there are many things that they never tell you about cradle cap when you’re first bringing home your new little bundle of joy. It seems like there are lots of things they don’t warn you about.

Most often, it begins when they are between two and six weeks old. And most common in babies under three months.

The first time you notice the yellow flakes, it’s certainly a bit concerning. You attempt to scratch off the crust with your fingernails gently, and you pass it off as buildup from baby shampoo or just some dry skin, so you add some moisturizer and go about your day.

Only to find that it comes back again the very next day and the day after that. Your mind, of course, goes directly to being concerned. You read the internet and fear that it’s a rash or that it could be eczema and have to do with their diet or give you a reason to try dairy free formula.

Not understanding what this is can be scary, but rest assured that cradle cap is neither painful nor is it itchy to your newborn. In fact, your baby has no idea at all that it’s there.

That’s great news. But while it’s not affecting the way they feel, you’ll want to get control over those scaly patches of yellow crusts on the scalp because it can quickly become out of control.

But first, let’s take a look at what causes cradle cap in the first place.

While they aren’t 100% certain of the exact cause, it’s believed to be the result of hormones that were passed through the placenta just before birth. These hormones cause overactive oil glands. As your baby’s dead skin cells fall off, which is normal, the excessive oil that their little bodies are producing is trapping the dead skin, and it’s forming the crust on the scalp.

Most often, cradle cap is confined to their head, but there are some instances where you’ll notice it on their eyebrows as well.

While this is something that will eventually go away on its own, there are some things that you can do to help speed the process up a bit.

Follow these simple steps, and you’ll begin to see a difference in just a few days,

1. Apply oil to the scalp

Baby oil is going to be the best option. However, mineral oil and coconut oil are good options as well. Begin by massaging just a few drops of baby oil on your baby’s scalp 15 minutes before bath time. This will help to soften the scales.

You should avoid using olive oil or anything containing essential oils on your baby.

2. Shampoo regularly

You’ll want to use a really good baby shampoo such as organic baby shampoo. It has no fragrance and is gentle enough to be used daily. By shampooing your baby’s scalp daily will not only treat the cradle cap, but you’ll also be preventing it by reducing the oils.

3. Brush your baby’s scalp

About 30 minutes after the bath, you’ll want to take time to remove the build-up. It’s going to be extremely tempting to pick at it, but do not do that. It will make the condition worse.

You’ll want to gently brush your baby’s scalp with a baby brush or comb. Take your time doing this and enjoy talking to your baby.

From the moment we bring them home, the worrying begins. We watch them as they sleep to make sure they are breathing. We fear they’re not getting enough breast milk or drinking enough formula, and we worry they aren’t hitting their milestones on time.

We worry because we love them. It’s our job as their parent to protect them and teach them how to brush their teeth to prevent cavities, how to ride a bike, how to respect people, and be kind. The list of things goes on and on.

You’re doing great, Mom! There’s nothing better in life than being a parent and watching our babies grow into beautiful people.

Lifestyle

Confronting Propaganda: Street Smart Documents Honest Reactions to Gaza Indoctrination Footage

Published

2 days ago

November 6, 2025

Michelle Langton

Photo Courtesy of: Street Smart

Byline: Michelle Langton

In a recent project, the Street Smart team gathered 20 strangers and presented them with propaganda footage from Gaza that has circulated widely online but remains largely unfamiliar to many audiences. The aim wasn’t to provoke outrage or test media literacy in a classroom setting. It was to capture raw, unfiltered emotional reactions to material that reveals how narratives are formed at the source. The resulting video offers a candid look at how people process shocking content and how their perceptions shift when they see what is rarely shown on mainstream platforms.

The Structure of the Experiment

The format was simple. Participants were seated and shown a series of clips from Gaza, including children’s programming and broadcasts containing intense ideological messaging. No background information was provided, and viewers were not instructed on how to interpret what they were seeing. After watching, they were asked for immediate reactions.

The footage elicited a wide range of emotions. Some viewers were stunned by the content, admitting they had never seen anything like it before. Others expressed disbelief, questioning why this kind of material isn’t more widely discussed. A few were visibly shaken, saying the experience fundamentally altered their understanding of the situation.

By presenting the footage without narration or added commentary, Street Smart allowed participants’ genuine responses to emerge. The experiment revealed how propaganda can affect an entire generation. It can shock, unsettle, and force people to reconsider their assumptions.

Why This Project Matters

Sage Fox and Dorani aligned the purpose of this experiment with Street Smart’s broader mission of challenging prevailing narratives and encouraging critical thought among younger audiences. In an environment where footage spreads rapidly across digital platforms, propaganda can shape public opinion long before context catches up.

By showing the Gaza Indoctrination footage in a controlled setting and recording uncoached responses, the team aimed to expose the emotional and cognitive impact of this type of content.

“The first reaction is often the most revealing, because it shows how powerful images can be without context.”

The Range of Reactions

While each participant brought their own perspective, several themes emerged. Some expressed sympathy with the imagery itself, saying it was emotionally powerful.

One participant said, “It makes me question what I see online every day. How much of it is shaped this way?”

Their comments highlight how propaganda resonates differently depending on prior knowledge and exposure. Many viewers have simply never encountered such footage directly.

Street Smart’s Approach

This project continues a pattern established by Sage Fox & Dorani’s earlier videos. Rather than relying on experts or lengthy analysis, Street Smart focuses on real people and their honest reactions. The approach is simple but effective. Present potent material, listen to what people say, and share those moments with a wider audience.

The Gaza Indoctrination footage experiment fits this model. It doesn’t attempt to draw final conclusions or offer political commentary. Instead, it documents how people respond when they’re exposed to narratives that are usually filtered through intermediaries.

Implications for Media Literacy

Beyond its viral potential, the video raises broader questions about how people interact with powerful imagery online. Propaganda operates on emotional reflexes. As this experiment shows, those reflexes are often unexamined until they’re brought to the surface.

Sage Fox & Dorani hope that projects like this push audiences to think more critically about what they see and share.

“The purpose is not to tell people what to believe. It is to remind them that every image comes from somewhere, and that source matters,” they said.

Next Steps for Street Smart

As Street Smart’s platform grows, Sage Fox & Dorani plan to conduct similar experiments in different contexts. They intend to use their direct, street-level approach to highlight how people react when presented with challenging material.

The Gaza footage project is one piece of a larger mission. The team uses simple methods to shed light on complex issues. By focusing on authentic reactions, they continue to build a unique space in online media that blends cultural investigation with raw human response.

A Window into Unfiltered Thought

“We showed 20 strangers real propaganda footage from Gaza — and filmed their unfiltered reactions” is not a dramatic exposé or academic study. It is a clear, unmediated record of how individuals respond when confronted with material designed to persuade. In that restraint lies its strength.

By documenting these moments, Street Smart shows how awareness can begin with a pause. A brief space between seeing and believing.