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

When Seasons Shift: Dr. Leeshe Grimes on Grief, Loneliness, and Finding Light Again

Published

3 days ago

February 22, 2026

Michelle Langton

Some emotional storms arrive without warning. A sudden change in weather, a holiday approaching, or even a bright sunny day can stir feelings that don’t match the world outside. For many people, the hardest seasons are not defined by temperature; they are defined by what’s happening inside, where grief and loneliness often move quietly.

This is the emotional terrain where Dr. Leeshe Grimes has spent her career doing some of her most meaningful work. As a psychotherapist, registered play therapist, retired U.S. Army combat veteran, and founder of Elevated Minds in the DMV area, she understands how deeply seasonal shifts and unresolved grief can affect people. Her upcoming books explore this very space, guiding readers through the emotional weight that can appear during different times of the year.

What sets Dr. Grimes apart is her ability to see clearly what many people overlook. Seasonal depression, for example, is usually tied to winter months. But she often sees it appear during warm, bright seasons, the times when the world seems happiest. For someone already grieving or feeling disconnected, watching others travel, celebrate, or gather can create its own kind of heaviness. Sunshine doesn’t always lift the mood; sometimes it highlights what feels missing.

The same misunderstanding surrounds grief. Society often treats it as a short-term experience with predictable phases and a clean ending. But in her practice, Dr. Grimes sees how grief keeps evolving. It doesn’t disappear on a timeline. It weaves itself into routines, memories, and milestones. People learn to carry it differently, but they rarely leave it behind completely. And that’s not failure, it’s human.

Her approach to mental health centers on truth rather than pressure. She encourages clients to acknowledge the emotions they try to hide: sadness that lingers longer than expected, moments of joy that feel out of place, and the waves of loneliness that return even when life seems stable. Instead of pushing for quick recovery, she focuses on helping people understand how emotions shift and how to care for themselves through those changes.

Much of her insight comes from her military years, where she witnessed the emotional toll of loss, transition, and constant survival. She saw how people continued functioning while carrying pain that had nowhere to go. That experience shaped her belief that healing requires space, space to feel, to speak, and to move through emotions without judgment.

In her clinical work today at Elevated Minds, she encourages people to build small, steady habits that anchor them during difficult seasons. Journaling helps them recognize patterns and name what feels heavy. Community support breaks the cycle of isolation. Therapy creates a place where emotions don’t have to be minimized or explained away. And intentional routines, daily sunlight, mindful breaks, and calm evenings help rebuild emotional balance.

Her upcoming books expand on these ideas, offering practical guidance for navigating both grief and seasonal depression. She focuses on helping readers understand that healing is not about escaping pain. It’s about learning how to live with it in a healthier way, honoring memories, acknowledging loneliness, and still allowing room for moments of light.

What makes Dr. Leeshe Grimes a compelling voice in mental health is her ability to bring language to experiences that many struggle to explain. She reminds people that emotional seasons don’t always match the weather and that there is no single path through grief. But within those shifts, she believes there is always a way forward.

The seasons will continue to change. And with the right tools, compassion, and support, people can change with them, finding steadiness, softness, and light again, one step at a time.