Babies may be known for having perfectly smooth skin, but even little ones can experience acne, eczema, and rashes. When skin irritation strikes, think twice before rushing out to buy an arsenal of expensive creams and potions. A homemade oatmeal bath could be all you need to get your baby's skin back in baby-soft shape.
, founder and pediatrician at Calabasas Pediatrics in California, recommends oatmeal baths for babies. "When parents call me and say their baby has a bad rash and they scream and don't want to take a bath, I will have them give an oatmeal bath," Dr. Altmann says. "It's soothing so the warm water doesn't bother the baby, and they can clean the area before putting on the needed medicated creams to treat the condition."
There's a good reason this healing remedy has been used for millennia: Oatmeal baths have been proven to soothe the skin of all ages while moisturizing, treating everything from and to psoriasis and poison ivy. And it's not just an old wives' tale, either. Studies have shown that oatmeal has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities. It also helps repair the skin barrier, which heals skin and keeps moisture in.
Here's everything you need to know to give your baby a soothing oatmeal bath at home.
DIY oatmeal baths can be beneficial for anyone—not just babies. But they're a simple, inexpensive way to help treat and prevent skin problems that are common to babies and young children in particular.
Researchers have found that people with eczema who apply a topical cream with 1% colloidal oatmeal saw a reduction in flare-ups by as much as 54% after 14 days of use. Oatmeal can also make a huge impact on those with psoriasis or sensitive skin by preventing and treating outbreaks and irritation.
Here are the top skin conditions an oatmeal bath for babies can help relieve:
Allergic reactions
Chickenpox
Dandruff
Dry, itchy skin
Heat rash
Keep in mind that oatmeal baths, though effective, aren't a magic elixir for curing all skin woes. Stephanie Kronberg, a nurse practitioner in the dermatology department at Children's Mercy Kansas City, says it's still important to diagnose the cause of the irritation and treat it appropriately. "It's important that [oatmeal baths] be combined with other traditional management, such as moisturizers, fragrance-free products, and sometimes topical medications," Kronberg says.
Making an oatmeal bath is easy, but you do need to make sure you have the right type of oatmeal. "You should not just throw your breakfast oatmeal into your baby's bath!" warns Kronberg. Instead, look for colloidal oatmeal, which is finely ground into a soft powder that's designed to dissolve in fluids.
Don't have any colloidal oatmeal on hand? No worries: You can use just about any kind of oatmeal to make it, including plain oatmeal, quick oats, and steel-cut oats. Just avoid oatmeal with added flavorings and ingredients.
Use a food processor or grinder to grind the oatmeal into a powdery consistency. Test to make sure the oatmeal will dissolve by dropping a small amount in a glass of warm water. If it disappears, you're ready to go. If not, grind some more.
Once you have your colloidal oatmeal prepared, here are the steps for making an oatmeal bath for baby:
Fill the tub with warm water. Ensure it's not too hot, as that can dry your baby's skin.
Gradually sprinkle the oatmeal into the tub as it fills with water. The oatmeal should dissolve and the water should turn a milky color. You'll need about a cup for a full bathtub or a third of a cup for a .
Place your baby into the bath and gently splash them with the water, allowing them to soak for 10 to 15 minutes if possible.
After the bath, pat your baby dry with a towel (don't rub) and apply a gentle moisturizer before dressing them.
While rare, some babies and children may have an adverse reaction to oatmeal baths. Kronberg recommends speaking with your child's doctor before giving an oatmeal bath if you're unsure.
"If your baby has healthy skin, there is probably not much risk to giving an oatmeal bath if you do it correctly," she says. "However, if your baby has a skin condition, I recommend speaking to their medical provider first. Some babies may develop an allergy to the oatmeal in the bath, and this could cause itching and skin redness." Watch closely for any signs of an allergic reaction.
Oatmeal has long been known as a remedy for skin conditions for young and old, but that doesn't mean it is safe for everyone. According to the New York Allergy & Sinus Centers, many people are becoming more aware of oat allergies as gluten-free diets become more popular.
Since oats are grown and processed alongside wheat, there is a high risk of gluten contamination in oats. But for those unbothered by gluten, an allergy to a protein found in oats called avenin may cause an allergic reaction.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to oats can include:
CongestionDiarrheaDifficulty breathingHivesIrritated eyesIrritation in the mouth or throatNauseaSkin rashVomiting
If your baby develops a rash or any other symptoms after coming in contact with oatmeal, it may be time to talk to a health care provider about screening for an oat allergy. To diagnose an oat allergy, your doctor might conduct an oral food challenge (OFC), which is the gold standard for testing for food allergies.
Doctors do an OFC by giving your child a controlled amount of oats to see if and what reaction occurs. The good news is that doctors can tell the difference between a reaction from oats contaminated with gluten due to processing or a genuine allergy to avenin, the protein found in oats.
No matter what skin condition you're treating with an oatmeal bath, if your child's symptoms do not get better, they appear to get worse, or if they develop other symptoms, call a health care provider.
