Babies get cradle cap primarily because their oil glands produce more oil (sebum) than usual, possibly influenced by hormones passed from their mother before birth. This excess oil causes dead skin cells to stick to the scalp, leading to the scaly, crusty patches known as cradle cap. A type of yeast called Malassezia may also contribute to this condition. Cradle cap is common, harmless, not contagious, and usually resolves on its own within a few months.
