Traditionally speaking, oats and oatmeal have been used in treating skin conditions and skincare products for centuries. Oatmeal baths are a common practice for people of all ages.
Being completely natural and mild on the skin, an oatmeal bath for babies is a safe treatment of skin problems commonly seen in babies such as eczema, allergies, diaper rash, hives, and inflammation.
Oatmeal is safe for babies as long as they are not exhibiting any signs of allergy or sensitivity. Several brands of creams, lotions and soaps contain oatmeal, and making an oatmeal bath is a chemical-free, safe, and an easy home solution for your baby bathing needs.
In this article, we shall discuss oatmeal baths for babies, in particular, the benefits for skin conditions and treatment for irritations, inflammation and redness. Here is everything you need to know about washing your baby in an oatmeal bath.
Is oatmeal bath safe for babies?
Yes, oatmeal baths are not only safe to treat your baby’s woes such as diaper rash, eczema and skin irritation. An oatmeal bath provides calming and soothing relief that is one of the best home remedies you can use.
These are common effects of distress that are felt by an infant. If you explore the conventional treatment methods with a pediatrician, you may learn a few calming techniques and natural remedies.
In the end, oatmeal shampoo an oatmeal bath remains to be one of the most popular and easiest remedies in treating your baby’s skin discomfort. Oatmeal baths for babies have several benefits, so keep a batch of colloidal oatmeal handy for your kid’s bath time.
Can I use baby oatmeal for bath?
Yes, you can use baby oatmeal in an oatmeal bath, but the benefits are not as wholesome. Baby oatmeal is precooked oats that are finely ground and ready to eat when mixed with water.
Colloidal oatmeal is raw oat groats that are finely ground into powder. As a result, the raw oats provide more nourishment to your skin that precooked oats that make up baby oatmeal.
Though oatmeal baths are completely a natural product, oat side effects may lead to reactions, but they are quite rare. Some babies may be sensitive or allergic to oats, especially if they are allergic to gluten or wheat [1].
Though oats do not contain gluten, they are harvested and processed on the same equipment used for wheat. Hence, might have traces of wheat or gluten mixed into the oats that can cause adverse effects for anyone that experiences gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.
Others may be sensitive to oats since it contains proteins, which may cause inflammatory breathing and skin symptoms. So, check for any allergic reactions such as redness or skin rash, hives, difficulty breathing, vomiting, stuffed or runny nose, swelling, eye irritation, or sneezing.
If such a reaction arises, immediately visit the doctor for medical attention. Further analysis may need to determine the cause of the symptoms and whether or not an oat allergy is to blame.
Do you rinse after oatmeal bath?
Once you have prepared the oatmeal bath, soak your infant in the bath. It’s preferable to use organic, unflavored oats.
Before soaking the baby, run a patch test over a small area of your baby’s skin and keep it for 10 to 15 mins to check for any reactions. If there is no reaction, you can give the oatmeal bath by letting your baby stay in the bath for 10 to 15 mins.
Drain the oatmeal bathwater and rinse the residual oatmeal from the babies body. Afterwards, pat with a clean dry towel and moisturize the skin with mineral oil for a smooth, soft and gentle treatment..
Baby oatmeal bath without bathtub
If you do not have a bathtub for your baby, do not worry, you can still prepare an oatmeal bath without a tub. The most effective way is to wipe the baby with a simple colloidal oatmeal solution.
In a medium sized bowl, mix 1 part oats with 4 parts water. Use a small wash cloth to wipe the baby with the oatmeal bathwater.
Allow the solution to sit on the skin for 5 – 10 minutes, then rinse with clean water. Pat the skin dry with a clean towel and moisturize with mineral oil for silky smooth skin.
Can I use Aveeno oatmeal bath on my baby?
Aveeno baby oatmeal is a bath treatment for soothing minor itching and skin irritation caused by eczema, rashes, oak, sumac, poison ivy, and insect bites. This baby safe product comes in a super fine powder that forms a rather milky and gentle bath that helps in soothing the skin.
It naturally cleans the body without the use of any harsh chemical soaps. Aveeno oatmeal bath is made with natural and soothing colloidal oatmeal that it is free from dyes, fragrances, phthalates, steroids, and parabens.
Benefits of oatmeal bath for baby
Oatmeal baths are undeniably beneficial to your child’s skin. Here are some of the benefits of giving oatmeal baths to your baby:
- Oatmeal baths have proved to be an effective remedy for pediatric skin conditions like eczema [2].
- Calms and soothes skin that is itchy, dry and flakey.
- Cleanses the skin without the use of soap because oatmeal contains natural saponins.
- Polyphenols and avenanthramides are important plant compounds present in oatmeal that contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
- Oats contain several other nutrients that help repair toddler’s skin such as vitamin D, fiber, and magnesium.
- Keeps your baby’s skin well moisturized and silky smooth [3].
An oatmeal bath is extremely effective, inexpensive, and easy to prepare. You can either buy the colloidal oatmeal from the pharmacy or simply grind rolled oats in a blender or food processor before preparing an oatmeal bath within a few minutes.
Oatmeal bath for baby heat rash
Heat rash is a skin condition commonly experienced during hot weather flashes. The painful symptoms include raised bumps on irritated red skin with an itchy, prickly, or burning sensation may also imply heat rash.
Oatmeal baths are very effective in reducing the inflammation or itchy sensation caused by heat rash. This is why it is a useful and inexpensive home ready for providing relief to the painful skin conditions.
Take 1 to 2 cups of colloidal oatmeal and dip it in warm water. Let it soak for about 20 minutes and apply it to the affected skin.
You may also use the paste of oatmeal mixed with water in the ratio 1:1 and then apply it to your babies skin.
Oatmeal bath for baby chickenpox
Chickenpox or varicella is an extremely contagious virus that spreads rapidly and causes symptoms like loss of appetite, fever, and feeling weak. A spotty rash appears on the skin that turns into red blisters, filled with fluid.
Children catch chickenpox easily and may cause pain and inflammation on their skin. Give your baby a cool bath with oatmeal to relieve the itch and irritation caused by the spotty rash.
Simply sprinkle some regular oatmeal in a bathtub or add colloidal oats before filling the tub with warm water. After rinsing and drying, consider moisturizing with Aveeno oil to further hydrate the skin.
Conclusion
Oatmeal baths for babies are an excellent, conventional way of treating skin conditions such as rashes, hives, eczema, chicken pox, etc. Not only does it soothe your baby’s skin, but also moisturizes it.
Oatmeal does not have any harsh chemicals or steroids, hence it works better than medicinal soaps and other chemical-based options. If you are looking for a healthy way to bath your child, the drawing an oatmeal bath will be a calming solution to soothe skin inflammation, irritation and redness.