While many specially formulated baby skincare products are great for your baby’s skin in its time of need, an oat bath is a natural way of helping to soothe different kinds of skin irritations.
We have explained in detail below the reasons why oatmeal baths can be beneficial to your child and what conditions they can help to treat.
What is an oatmeal bath?
An oatmeal bath is a homemade, natural remedy that can help reduce redness and soothe irritated skin as oatmeal is rich in calcium and vitamins that have great benefits to your little ones skin. Made from just blended oatmeal and hot water, an oatmeal bath (just like a milk bath) is incredibly easy to make for your baby and doesn’t take more than a few minutes to make either.
What skin conditions can oatmeal help?
Your baby has very sensitive skin and often natural products such as oatmeal are best for helping to aid skin irritations.
Here are some of the skin problems that a warm oatmeal bath can help soothe:
Chickenpox
Whilst rarely seen in North America due to the wide availability of vaccination. These irritating little spots that come with chicken pox can be a big problem to your little ones as they might have an urge to itch all the time. But an oatmeal bath will help to soothe the itching feeling.
Dry skin
Dry skin and skin peeling can cause discomfort for your baby. Oats have natural soothing properties than can help to soften dry skin and reduce redness. Regular oat baths can help to prevent dry skin and redness from flaring up, too.
Hives
Similar to chickenpox, hives can be itchy or even feel like they’re burning. They can be incredibly uncomfortable and creams don’t always do the trick. A normal bath could even irritate the baby’s hives more, but a nice, warm oat bath could do the trick and help to reduce the redness of the skin and soothe the burning sensation.
Eczema
Baby eczema is very common in little ones and it can be sometimes hard to keep on top of the inflamed skin, and not all creams help to soothe flare-ups either. A 10 to 15 minute soak in an oat bath will help moisturise skin and reduce redness. Just gently pat your little one dry after their bath too.
There are multiple types of eczema, including asteatotic eczema, which many people suffer from in the cooler months when heating is used, as the skin becomes dry. It can also be triggered by showering or bathing, so it’s important to focus on moisturising. We recommend regularly using an emollient (a non-cosmetic moisturiser) to keep the cracked skin as moisturised as possible to prevent irritation. It’s important to wash your hands after applying it to your child’s skin, as cross-contamination could occur.
For those who are struggling to stop itching, a wet wrap can be useful – especially in severe cases.
Diaper rash
An oatmeal bath can help to relieve the redness or soreness on your little one’s bum, which can be caused by prolonged use of diapers. Gently pat the area with a soft cloth when your baby is in the oatmeal bath. It’s a great alternative to diaper creams!
Benefits of oatmeal baths
The incredible moisturising, soothing and antioxidant properties of oatmeal have long been known as being highly beneficial to our skin. Not only is oatmeal ideal for use on adult skin, but it is also gentle enough to be used on the youngest members of your family as well; newborns included. Either way you make it, let your little one soak in the bath a little longer (around 15 to 20 minutes) to help soothe those skin irritations!
A full-term healthy baby’s skin is 30% thinner than that of an adult and is therefore more prone to damage, dryness, and irritation. Taking time to consider the ingredients used in baby products is key to caring for their skin. Oats have been added to baths for generations to soothe and moisturise dry, irritated skin especially for babies and young children who have suffered from conditions such as chickenpox, eczema, and diaper and dribble rashes.
How to make an oatmeal bath
Making an oatmeal bath is simple, meaning you can quickly whip up a couple of batches ready for your baby’s bathtime!
You can stuff a pair of pantyhose or muslin cloth with half a cup of oats and tie it to prevent any spillages, and dip it into a warm bath a few times. You can then use the oat-filled cloth to pat your little ones skin, especially on the sore areas.
Another quick and easy way to make an oatmeal bath is:
1. Blend 100g of oatmeal until it looks like a fine powder.
2. Slowly add a little bit at a time to a warm bath of running water, making sure it dissolves, (the bath would appear white).
What type of oats should I use to make an oatmeal bath?
You can use many types of oats, including steel-cut, quick oats or plain oatmeal, as long as you blend them into a fine powder in a clean food processor, as sharp oats could cause damage to your child’s skin. Colloidal oatmeal is a brilliant option as they are already finely ground, so they dissolve quickly in water.
How often should my child have an oatmeal bath?
Your paediatrician may recommend that your little one has an oatmeal bath twice a day, as it will moisturise their dry skin, acting as an emollient and encouraging it to heal and rejuvenate. The average time they should spend in the bath is 15 minutes.
