This post was in partnership with Cocosoak but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
"When I was pregnant with my son, I had a horrible rash for the last three-ish weeks before giving birth (a PUPPP rash for any fellow moms that can commiserate). It itched and burned, and I did everything in my power to try and ease the pain (oatmeal baths, cold compresses, anti-itch cream, you name it). Thankfully, the rash went away as soon as my baby was born, but when he developed rashy skin a few weeks later as a helpless newborn, I really felt for him.
I knew how horrible it was to have a rash you couldn’t control, and now my baby was dealing with his own in the form of baby eczema. It’s horrible to watch your baby in pain, and since he couldn’t take his own action to soothe it, I stepped in to do whatever I could. Baby eczema is actually fairly common and babies typically outgrow it. But while they have it, it’s brutal. Heat, stress, and other external forces can cause flair-ups. So while you can’t necessarily control if your baby has eczema, you can take action to relieve the pain.
If your baby is showing signs of eczema like itchy, flaky, and red skin, here are five things you can do to alleviate the pain and help with healing.
1. Use the best all-natural moisturizing bath products
Many babies love a little moisturizing massage, and this is particularly important for babies suffering from eczema. If you’re noticing flaky red patches, it’s probably time to up your moisturizing game. Don’t just use any bath products though, you want the best of the best when it comes to your baby’s ultra-sensitive skin.
In our home, we turned to Cocosoak for our healing baths. We love the Cocosoak Bath Soak as it is all-natural, non-toxic, non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan. The calming bath therapy is made of healing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal and certified organic coconut oil. The mom-owned brand was launched when Rachel Daugherty’s own baby was suffering from eczema and she needed a product to relieve her flare-ups. Cocosoak was born and it’s a hero product among moms. So while we love the product simply because it’s great, we also love it because it comes from a female-owned small business.
Source: Amanda Shapin Michelson
Source: Stephanie Mikuls
Create a soothing soak by starting with a lukewarm bath, adding in 2-3 tablespoons of the Cocosoak Bath Soak, and swirling the water gently. Your baby will love the calming bath, and if you also happen to suffer from sensitive skin (or just enjoy a calming bath!), it’s great for adults as well.
This ultra-moisturizing soak will help soothe baby's skin. We love a multi-use product, and these reusable bamboo rounds work for bathing baby or even as a makeup remover for mama.
Cocosoak
Cocosoak
2. Keep your baby from scratching and rubbing
It’s hard to explain to a baby why they shouldn’t scratch at their itchy skin, so you’ll need to step in to get them to stop. For babies, you can use mittens on their hands and tall socks to keep them from rubbing their feet together (leading to more irritation). Also, be sure to keep your baby’s nails short to lessen the chance they will break the skin and lead to an infection.
3. Consider soft and cooling fabrics
Not all baby clothing and sheets are created equal. Fabrics that trap in heat can cause your baby to get hot and sweaty, which can then trigger an eczema flare. Choose loose clothes and cotton fabrics to keep your baby cool and to avoid irritation from clothing rubbing against their skin. In addition, when bathing your child, use bamboo washcloths and dab, do not rub, them as you dry them off.
Use these quick-absorbing washcloths for your baby's sensitive skin (also great as a burp cloth).
Cocosoak
Source: William Fortunato | Pexels
4. Switch to a mild laundry detergent
For babies with very sensitive skin, you may want to switch your detergent. If you’re using one with perfumes or chemicals, it may make things worse. Switch to a mild, unscented option for both your laundry and your baby’s laundry. Remember that your baby is often snuggled against your clothing, so what you wash your clothing in is important to consider as well.
5. Consult your doctor
While baby eczema isn’t uncommon, it can definitely be uncomfortable and irritating for your little one (and thus, for you too, mom). If you aren’t seeing improvement from the above suggestions, consider speaking with your pediatrician to explore medicated topical options. This is especially important if you notice blisters or yellow or light brown crust forming as this could be the sign of a bacterial infection.
With proper care and vigilance, you can help alleviate baby eczema and bring your baby much-needed comfort.
This post was in partnership with Cocosoak but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.