[Wisdom]

Our son is two months old and only has peach fuzz for hair. I haven't washed it since we brought him home a month ago. It doesn't look dirty or anything. I didn't think it needed it since he hardly has hair, but I'm wondering if I should wash it. He has a little flaky dry scalp in the front and I'm afraid that washing it will make it worse by drying it out even more. What should I use for the flaking and should I wash his hair? Any suggestions would be great!

[mamatobe2008]

Wisdom,
Try washing lightly with a washcloth. This may solve the problem. If you're concerned with flakiness, once dry add a bit of jojoba oil to finish. Just my $.02.

[Wisdom]

Mamatobe2008:
Thanks. I washed his hair lightly with a wash cloth and that went well. After washing his hair though, I noticed a white film on his scalp that is not visible when his hair is dry. I thought I left soap in his hair but I kept rinsing and it didn't come out. When his hair dried I no longer saw the white film (I'm not sure that "film" is the right word.). Anyway I put jojoba oil in and it's help with the flakiness. Thanks again!

[mamatobe2008]

Wiz,
Glad this worked for you!!

[nellybelly27]

I use something called Pink Oil or just plain old baby oil. Both work great. I also only wash my baby's hair once a week. I've also heard of people who use vasoline.

[Sleeplvr]

Do not use Pink Oil, Mineral oil or Vaseline on infants. Please use baby lotion or an all natural product like olive or Jojoba oil.

Mineral oil or liquid petrolatum is a by-product in the distillation of petroleum to produce gasoline. Due to its low density, it is easily aspirated into the lungs, where it cannot be removed by the body and can cause serious complications such as lipoid pneumonia. While popular as a folk remedy, there are many safer alternatives available. In children, if aspirated, the oil can work to prevent normal breathing, resulting in death of brain cells and permanent paralysis and/or retardation.

Vaseline is by product of the oil refinery process.

[Wisdom]

Sleeplvr,
I'm assuming that it is okay to use vaseline for the diaper area though, right? I've been using that to prevent diaper rash instead of Desitin or other ointments.

[mamatobe2008]

IMHO, no. I'd recommend using products that are are organic all natural. I like the Aveeno brand.

[nellybelly27]

Wow, I have never heard that. I've been using the Pink Oil without any problem. I know others who use vasoline. What age is it safe to use these products on children? Can you use Baby Oil? Thanks, NB

[Sleeplvr]

Vaseline should never be used on hair. Put it on elbows, knees, lips and shoes but not hair.

Pink Oil has too many chemicals for an infants sensitive skin. You can use it on toddlers and older. I can't stand the smell of it so we will never be using it. Stick with the natural products or products designed for infants.

Baby Oil is just too dangerous IMO. Too much of a risk of the baby aspirating it.

People used those products back in the day because they didn't have other options.

[Fe2002]

I've been using Carol's Daughter Hair Milk. I really like what it does for my daughter's hair - define the curls and adds luster/shine without being greasy. Every morning, I spritz with water and add a nickel size of hair milk.

The only drawback is the smell; it has lemongrass in it. I'm not a fan of wearing food scents.

[nickchris]

Whipped Shea butter is another good natural alternative for babies/toddlers, (can be used on the skin too) just rub in the hand, to liquefy. Maybe a little lite olive oil, which can be diluted with water 1/3 olive oil to 2/3 water, can make it more or less diluted based on the hair, a little baby may not need much. Natural oils are absorbed better. Even with the natural products, you can always put a very small dot, on the inner forearm, and watch it, to make sure the baby is not sensitive to the product.
Do not care for Pink Oil, it always caked up in my hair, and weighed it down. Never put Vaseline in my or my kids hair, it clogs the pores, weight it down, and attracts dust..and as said before, it is a by-product of refined oil.. Stopped using baby oil after learning of the aspiration aspect.

[mommyonboard]

Eucerin has an entire line of products for babies that work wonders with cradle cap and other irritations. I bought a big tub of it when Langston came home. I'm still using it and that was 6 months ago.