If you’re looking for some help in relieving the redness, itchiness and discomfort associated with baby eczema, you’ve come to the right place! I have tried so many different remedies for eczema in my baby, and I’ll share with you what worked and what didn’t.
My youngest daughter developed eczema when she was just a few months old. The redness and inflammation on her skin looked so uncomfortable!
My oldest had sensitive skin, but nothing like the patchy red spots my little one has. They come in flares that last a few days to weeks, and then suddenly go away.
Sometimes the patches seem to bring her no discomfort, and other times she has literally itched herself to the point she drew blood! It breaks my heart!
I wanted to share the things I’ve tried so that maybe they’ll help another baby out there.
Note: Please consult with your pediatrician if you are concerned about your child’s health in any way. This article is just sharing my experiences and is not intended to treat or diagnose your child. Always consult with your doctor before starting any treatments. This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if a purchase is made using the links on this page.
What is Eczema
According to the National Eczema Association, eczema refers to a group of skin conditions that causes redness, itchiness, and inflammation.
There are many kinds of eczema, and the cause is relatively unknown. It isn’t contagious. There is no cure for eczema, but there are many different treatments. This post will outline what has worked for our family, and other suggestions for treating eczema in babies and young children.
How common is it
According to Seattle Children’s Hospital, eczema is the most common skin condition in children under the age of 10. It affects over 10% of children.
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Baby eczema remedies
Breastmilk
Man, you can slap breast milk on just about anything!
I’ll be honest…I never saw much eczema relief with breastmilk. It did seem to help with baby acne, but my little needed something stronger for eczema relief!
For skin problems, just put a little on and let it dry. It may work better for your child than it did mine!
Over the Counter Creams and Ointments
There are two over the counter products that worked for my daughter…
The first is Earth Mama Organics Eczema Cream. It’s great for any age and seems to give excellent itch relief. It’s a lot gentler than other creams you can buy over the counter as it has no preservatives, perfumes or steroids. Their eczema cream is gentle on my baby’s skin, and also soothes her eczema and gives her great relief.
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Use code thesehungrykids at checkout to save 10% off of an item until April 30th!! HURRY because that’s just a few weeks away!!
The second is the Aquaphor Baby ointment. I actually lather my baby up with this once or twice a day, since it really seems to be the best moisturizer.
Aquaphor is petroleum based and very moisturizing. It’s what my pediatrician recommended I use, and it does seem to keep the breakouts at bay.
I also use the Aquaphor for diaper rashes. It makes a great barrier cream!
I tried both the Aveeno and Cetaphil lotions for eczema, and didn’t notice any difference. I know other mamas swear by Cetaphil, so it may be worth a shot for your little, too!
Prescription creams
More than once my daughter’s eczema has gotten bad enough that we needed a prescription cream.
I don’t love using it since it is a steroid based cream, but when her breakouts get terrible and uncomfortable we give it a try. The breakout is usually gone within a day or two.
Schedule a visit with your doctor if you think you may need something stronger to treat the eczema.
Limiting bathtime
This one pains us, because my kids LOVE bath time!
I’ve learned to limit her time in the water, which really just sucks! As soon as she’s clean we get her out and lotioned up. It’s been helpful at keeping the breakouts from starting.
I also use a really gentle soap for the bath. I like both the Dove Baby Soap and the Earth Mama Organics Simply Non-Cents Baby Wash. Both are gentle on delicate skin.
If you don’t like either of those, try to go for one that is unscented.
Avoid triggering foods
Some kids have eczema breakouts as a reaction to certain foods!
When I was breastfeeding, I cut out gluten and dairy to see if that would help her eczema clear up. After a month of strict dieting, she was still getting breakouts. However, I’ve heard some parents say that within a week or two of finding the “triggering food” and cutting it out of their diet, the eczema went away!
I referenced this article when trying to eliminate foods from my diet. Overall, this didn’t seem to make a difference for my babe. I find that environmental triggers are the worst.
I hope some of these give you good ideas for how to help your child’s eczema!
What eczema remedies have worked for your baby? Share in the comments below to help another reader out! We’re in this together, mama!
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Hi there! As someone who lives every day with eczema, I’ve only got two things to say about this article. One, thank you for doing your part to help other eczema babies and their parents. It means a lot to see stuff like this. Two, I noticed that you said you put Aquaphor on your babies eczema, and while this does help with diaper rashes in some cases it can actually make a flare worse, as can any product that has alcohol or acids(normally things like hyaluronic acid are found in skin care products) in it. Speaking from personal experience, Aquaphor has done more harm than good for my own flares, because though it is lotion, it still ends up drying out the skin.
As your child gets older, the things you will try on their skin will change, but I hope that this is something they grow out of as a child. I found a skin cream a while back and it’s only sold on their website or at Sephora. I have never seen anything clear up a flare and calm the irritation or itchiness faster.
Thank you for your response!
Yes, it is SO important to note that what works for some may not work for others! I had never used Aquaphor before my pediatrician recommended it, and for the most part it does seem to help! Thank you for the comment about alcohols and acids – I’m going to be more mindful of looking for that!
If you happen to know the name of the cream at Sephora, I’d love to learn more about it.
The cream at Sephora is the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream. It’s more on the pricey side, but lasts a long time and works very well.