How To Best Bathe an Eczema Baby

Bath time can be fun and relaxing for our little ones, and it’s also an important part of a daily eczema routine. Current advice recommends bathing eczema-prone skin at least once a day, either in a bath or a shower.

Not only does regular bathing help to wash away any triggers and bacteria that may be sitting on the skin’s surface, but it also provides an opportunity to add moisture back into the skin and prepare it to absorb moisturiser better. However, it’s important to follow a few key steps when bathing your eczema baby, as, unfortunately, incorrect bathing can end up causing more irritation for their delicate skin. We’ve shared some tips for making the most of bath time for your eczema-prone little one below.

Top Tips To Bathe an Eczema Baby

• Water temperature is really important—it has to be lukewarm, no hotter than 30 degrees. It may help to buy a bath thermometer if you don't feel confident about getting the temperature right. If the water is too hot, it can aggravate eczema.
• Keep bath time short – around 10 minutes is ideal. Soaking for too long can dry out their skin.
• Avoid any bath products with parabens, fragrances or sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS, SLES), as these ingredients are known to irritate eczema-prone skin. Adding Itchy Baby Co. Natural Oatmeal Bath Soak to their bath can be a helpful alternative to gently cleanse and leave a thin film on the skin that acts as a natural barrier to trap moisture.
• Avoid soap – opt for a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser instead to wash any particularly sticky, dirty or smelly areas.
• Choose a super soft washcloth and avoid scrubbing to prevent any extra skin irritation.
• It can be helpful to do your little one’s bath time just before bed at night, as it may help their skin better retain moisture.
• Use fun toys to distract your little one from scratching their skin in the bath (and to help keep bath time a happy, positive experience).

Tips for Immediately After Bath Time

• Dry your little one very gently. To make it extra gentle, you may want to try cuddling them or using an old (but clean), soft t-shirt instead of a towel.
• Moisturise immediately – this is a very important one! After drying them off, moisturiser quickly and generously using a suitable eczema moisturiser. This is the best time to moisturise because the skin is ready to soak up and seal in hydration.
• Rinse the tub after bath time. Use only skin-friendly cleaning products, keeping harsh detergents away from eczema skin.

This blog post was brought to you and your baby with love and care by the Itchy Baby Co. team x 

Disclaimer: Information provided is of a general nature only, and you should always consult your medical professional.