This usually is something very similar to cradle cap in children and is not uncommon in newborn pups.

What I would suggest is using some oil on the spots which should break them up and help the skin heal. I typically use mineral oil once or twice a day working it into the crusty areas. You should see the patches get smaller and you may see flaky dandruff as it does. You can use olive oil, vegetable oil, mineral oil to do this. None of those will hurt the mom as she washes the pups.

You just want to get the crusty area moistened with the oil.

If you see no improvement over a couple of days then you may want your vet to check them over and see if this is mange mites or another skin issue.

If you see improvement just keep it up until the spots are gone.

Hope this helps you!

It depends about the mange as there are two types of mange contagious which they all would get which you can read about here

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_sarcoptic_mange.html

and non contagious which is more of an immune thing

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_demodectic_mange.html

Yes I've seen the 'cradle cap' type of sebborhea expand fast. If feels like a hard scab on the skin and seems a little flakey when you scratch at it.

The oil can clear it up nicely.

No it isn't and I'd not put that on baby pups.

I saw that site and it horrifies me that this would be out there for info.

Its a sebborhea type issue just a build up of sebum and the oil takes it away.

I've had this happen in litters from time to time in over 30 years of being a breeder and the oil clears it up every time. Learned how to handle it from an old time breeder.

Its not much mentioned in the dog info and apparently its more something that knowledge about it and the treatment for it was passed on from mentor to new breeder as to how to handle it.