If you’re looking for how to help a baby with eczema, these are my favorite tried and true tips that have helped my little ones and our friends.
1. Use Gentle Fabric
For babies with sensitive and delicate skin, bamboo fabric is especially gentle and prevents allergic reactions often caused by other fabrics. Itchy or uncomfortable fabric can aggravate the skin and worsen symptoms.
Bamboo absorbs 50% more moisture than cotton. This is important because it means the fabric will wick away excess moisture from your baby’s skin and keep them comfortable throughout the night. Many rashes and skin irritants stem from fabric that clings to the skin and doesn’t breathe.
2. Bathe as Needed & Watch Temps
If your baby is having eczema flare-ups, only bathe as needed–such as when they are really messy. You can limit baths to every couple of days, avoid high temperatures, and minimize the time in the bath to soak for too long.
3. Limit Soap
Babies have such gentle skin and really do not need a lot of soap. If your baby experiences eczema, limit soap to days when they are especially messy and try to wait several days between using soap.
4. Use Lotion or Ointment
Daily lotion or ointment is a must for babies with eczema. Our favorite is the Tubby Todd All Over Ointment, it really works wonders for eczema. The ointment is such a concentrated product and a small amount can cover their body daily and last for a year. We love this product!
If you prefer to use lotion or heavy cream, be sure to find one that contains no alcohol or other fragrance. Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Moisturizing cream or Cerave cream are two great options that many dermatologists recommend for baby eczema.
5. Keep a diary
Some babies may have eczema exasperated by certain foods or allergens. If eczema comes in flares, you may try keeping a diary to see how eczema correlates with foods your baby eats or other allergens they are exposed to.
6. Humidifier
Eczema can be especially triggered by dry climates. During the winter a cool-mist humidifier can really help with the dryness from running the furnace. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends cool-mist humidifiers for babies and children. This humidifier is a great one on Amazon, with over 70,000 reviews.
Managing eczema can involve lots of trial and error to find what works best for your baby. Of course, always check with your doctor before trying any new products or medications. These are my favorite tips to help babies with eczema and I hope they work wonders for you too!
