How Silk Crib Sheets Help Cradle Cap, Bald Spots and Baby Eczema

Ask any parent about their newborn baby's skin and you'll hear the same thing in gushing tones: there's nothing softer or sweeter on Earth. Newborn skin is germ-free, rich in moisture, and velvety smooth to the touch. Talk to that same parent six months later and you're likely to get a different story -- a bald spot on the back of the head, scaly patches of eczema, and a crusty scalp full of cradle cap (also known as crib cap) -- as baby's delicate hair and sensitive skin begin to adapt to the outside world.

The good news is, crib cap, baby eczema, and baby bald spots are typically temporary and can be treated or, in the case of a bald spot, outgrown. Cradle cap and eczema look more unpleasant than they feel to your baby; left untreated, however, they can spread and worsen and so should be addressed. In most cases, crib cap and eczema are treated topically and cleared with minimal intervention. And once your baby rolls over and sits up, their bald spot usually begins to fill in.

Of course, parents and caregivers want only the best for their babies. So along with the standard treatments of shampoo, lotion, and cream and following doctors' advice, there's another important thing they can do to soothe irritation and protect baby's delicate hair and silk skin: lay them to sleep in the comfort of all-natural, hypoallergenic, 100% pure silk crib sheets from Mulberry Park Silks. Yes, you read that right – silk crib sheets.

Causes of A Baby Bald Spot, Eczema, and Crib Cap

As we noted, bald spots, eczema, and cradle cap are very common in babies, and usually harmless. They're a regular part of infant development. But let's take a closer look at these conditions and examine how one popular item in baby's layette -- a cotton crib sheet -- may make them worse:

Causes of Baby Bald Spots

Some newborns lose nearly all the hair they had at birth and permanent hair regrows in its place. A distinct bald patch on the back of the head, though, is usually the result of friction against hard surfaces like a mattress or car seat. Cotton crib sheets may actually contribute to the problem; cotton fibers can pull and tug on your baby's delicate hair, causing it to break and fall out. Over time, that contact with rough cotton fiber can take a toll and worsen your baby's bald spot.

Causes of Baby Eczema

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is defined by patches of itchy, scaly, or dry skin. Eczema can be caused by allergies but is often the result of the skin's losing moisture and being unable to fend off environmental irritants and allergies. Keeping itchy skin well moisturized is essential to controlling eczema. A cotton crib sheet can make that difficult. Cotton is a plant-based fiber and known for being absorbent. It can pull precious moisture out of your baby's skin and further inflame eczema.

Causes of Cradle Cap / Crib Cap

Cradle cap, or seborrheic dermatitis, is not related to allergies. In fact, cradle cap is actually similar to dandruff, with symptoms including red or yellow patches that are scaly, crusty, or oily on your baby's scalp. It is not painful but can spread to other parts of the body, including the forehead, eyebrows, face and skin folds. Babies develop crib cap between two and 12 weeks of age. The exact cause of cradle cap isn't known, but it is believed to be a combination of too much oil on the skin and a form of yeast, (fungal infection). As we noted above, cotton crib sheets absorb moisture, but they don't wick it away. Oil and sweat from your baby's head soak into the cotton sheet and it stays wet, which makes yeast harder to cure.

I got the silk bassinet sheet and the crib sheets. They fit my daughters beds perfectly. Her hair has been growing in consistently since we started using these. I suspected the cotton sheets were rubbing her hair out because she had a bald spot in the back. Now, her hair is completely filled in. I’ll keep ordering these for every bed she gets!

- Kiara

Why Silk Crib Bedding Is A Better Choice for Baby's Hair and Skin

Silk toddler pillowcases are a wonderful choice for the health of your baby's hair and skin. Let's start with that pesky baby bald spot. A silk charmeuse crib sheet from Mulberry Park Silks lets your baby's head glide friction-free across its smooth surface. There's no rubbing, no tugging, and no tearing at fragile hair. Many adults -- including those experiencing hair loss -- swear by our silk pillowcase to preserve and foster hair growth. Toddler silk sheets are an excellent solution to caring for your babies’ skin and scalp!

Let's talk about baby eczema

While cotton pulls moisture out of the skin, silk does the reverse. Silk is a protein-based fiber with essential amino acids that help your baby's skin retain precious moisture. This helps heal eczema and prevents other skin irritation. Silk is also naturally hypoallergenic and gentle on even the most sensitive skin, which makes it the perfect sleep environment for your little one. There are a myriad of reasons why you should choose a silk pillowcase.

Silk crib sheets can also help curb crib cap!

Unlike cotton, which absorbs moisture and stays wet, silk is breathable and moisture-wicking. When your baby's head sweats on a silk crib sheet, that moisture gets wicked away to keep them dry and comfortable. Along with being hypoallergenic, silk is naturally mold, fungus, and dust mite resistant. This helps protect your baby from a multitude of environmental irritants and allergies. Silk toddler pillowcases and silk crib sheets aid in protecting your child from all of the aforementioned issues of dust mites and other associated with cotton.

Comparison Chart of Cotton Crib Sheets vs. Silk Crib Sheets

Mulberry Park Silks Crib Sheets are Environmentally Friendly and Safe

You can also feel good about putting your baby down to sleep on a toddler silk sheet from Mulberry Park Silks. We use only environmentally friendly dyes, and all products are Oeko-Tex certified to be free of chemicals. You and your child can rest assured on our silk crib sheets.

The Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 was developed by European textile institutes committed to finding a way to reduce our environmental footprint. The Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 is a global testing and accreditation program that successfully sets the standards for the screening of harmful substances in consumer textiles. Textiles can only be certified if all components meet the requirements submitted. All Mulberry Park Silks products are Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 certified and have been tested and guaranteed to be free of all harmful substances, including toxins and irritants. This ensures that the silk products that you bring into your home are safe, natural, and healthy.

The Crib Sheet line from Mulberry Park Silks is made from 100% pure mulberry silk charmeuse woven to a 19 momme silk (600 thread count) weight. Fitted Silk Crib Sheets measure 28" x 52" and feature an 8" deep, fully elasticized pocket for a secure fit. Silk Crib bedding available in classic white and soothing pastel pink, blue, and green. Hand or machine wash in cold water on a gentle cycle, hang to dry or cool tumble dry (do not use high heat or over-dry). Cool iron if needed. Do not bleach, mild/gentle laundry detergent is recommended.