Diaper rash is a common cause of red, chapped skin that typically affects babies are wearing diapers. While it can be treated with over-the-counter medications, many parents try home remedies such as oatmeal baths for relief.
Oatmeal in a baby’s bath can assist with dry, flaky, or itchy skin!
A bath with oatmeal might assist to hydrate and soothe your baby’s skin. It may also aid in the treatment of newborn skin problems such as eczema and diaper rashes.
What is an oatmeal bath?
An oatmeal bath is a bath where water has been infused with ground-up whole oats. The soothing properties of oatmeal aid in the relief of dry skin, sunburns, itching, and diaper rash.
You may use any type of oatmeal for an oatmeal bath, including instant or rapid cooking but stick to plain oats varieties.
What is colloidal oatmeal?
Colloidal oatmeal is a finely ground oat powder that was originally made to ease the itching and irritation associated with skin ailments such as poison ivy, acne, chickenpox, or eczema. Colloidal oatmeal differs from regular oatmeal in that it is meant to dissolve in fluids. You can make it (see guide below) or buy colloidal oatmeal bath soak.
No matter what type of diaper rash you have, an oatmeal bath should help soothe the skin. You can also add a apple cider vinegar to your bath.
How Do I make colloidal oatmeal?
You can make colloidal oatmeal by grinding up quick-cooking or old fashioned oats to a fine powder in a blender or food processor.
If the oatmeal isn’t ground fine enough, rather than dissolving in the bathwater and will sink to the bottom. You get a lot more benefits from it when it blends with the bathwater creating a milky bath.
Check a spoonful of ground oats to determine whether they are finely ground enough to absorb water. In a glass of warm water, mix one spoonful of ground oats.
If you’ve blended it long enough if the oats quickly integrate into the water, transforming it into a milky-looking material with a silky texture.
If the liquid does not turn milky, continue pounding the oats to finely crush them until you get a milky, smooth solution.
How to Make an Oatmeal Bath
Once you have made your colloidal oatmeal, you are ready to make your oatmeal bath. To do this, simply add ¼ cup of your ground oats to your baby’s lukewarm bath water and allow the colloidal oatmeal to dissolve.
You can use the colloidal oatmeal either in a mesh bag or by adding it directly into the water.
The bath should turn a lovely milk-white colour
Place your infant in the oatmeal bath and rinse their skin from head to toe with the water. Allow them to play and soak in the oatmeal bath to allow it to cure their skin.
When they’ve had their bath, gently pat them dry with a towel.
What are the benefits of oatmeal baths for babies?
Oatmeal baths have been linked to a variety of health advantages. Oatmeal baths may help heal skin disorders such as eczema and diaper rash, give relief from dry skin, and even alleviate the discomfort associated with chickenpox, according to research.
These baths may also be good for babies with sunburns because oatmeal has a soothing effect on irritated skin.
Oatmeal is a centuries-old cure for a variety of skin and hair problems in adults, children, and newborns. Furthermore, independent medical research demonstrates that oatmeal baths and other colloidal oatmeal treatments can assist with various skin issues.
Skin lotions and creams with oatmeal did a better job of keeping skin hydrated than skincare products without oats. After utilizing oatmeal products, adults in the research had less dry and cracked skin. A clinical study from 2020 shows that colloidal oatmeal, a natural substance with demonstrated barrier protection, moisturization, anti-inflammatory, and calming qualities, can improve eczema severity symptoms in patients with chronic irritant hand eczema.
Colloidal oatmeal bath alleviates skin irritation by:
- Promoting skin healing, keeping moisture in, and protecting skin from drying out too rapidly.
- It contains anti-inflammatory and calming properties. This implies it can aid in the reduction of skin redness, itching, irritation, and soreness.
What are the concerns of oatmeal baths for babies?
Even entirely natural goods can occasionally induce an allergic response, although allergies to oatmeal products are quite rare. If your infant has wheat or gluten allergy, they may be allergic or sensitive to oats.
Some babies are allergic to raw oats which contain proteins that are similar to gluten. An allergy to oats or gluten can cause different skin and breathing symptoms.
Skin Conditions Soothed by Oatmeal Baths
A soothing oatmeal bath can help with various skin conditions such as:
Eczema
A colloidal oatmeal bath may help to relieve the itching and irritation associated with eczema. It can provide relief from dry, itchy skin due to its moisturizing properties. You can mix colloidal oats with a baking soda bath for the best treatment for eczema.
Diaper Rash
Oatmeal’s effects on the bacteria that cause diaper rash make it a good remedy for this uncomfortable condition. The colloidal oatmeal in a bath can relieve skin irritations and soothe your baby’s bottom.
Chafing
Oatmeal powder helps chafed skin recover by moisturizing it and preventing further damage from friction. Since oatmeal baths can ease the discomfort of diaper rash, they may help with chafing as well.
Itching
The calming effects of oatmeal have been used for centuries to soothe itching caused by a variety of skin conditions, including eczema. Oatmeal baths can provide relief from itchy, dry skin as well as the discomfort associated with chickenpox and other rashes.
Sunburn
Many parents give their babies oatmeal baths on sunny days to help reduce the risk of sunburn. Oatmeal baths can make your baby’s skin more comfortable, easing redness and itching.
Bagged Oats Bath
Another way to enjoy an oat bath is to put some in a bag and drop it into a hot bath. While colloidal oats are more effective, this can suffice if you don’t want to make any. A muslin bag, stocking, or cheesecloth can keep the oats in check and prevent them from blocking drains. Some of the oats’ skin-nourishing qualities will diffuse into the water. Just fill the bag and tie with a rubber band.
Pour in a scoop of Epsom salt and a couple of drops of lavender or chamomile essential oil.
Can an oatmeal bath make the rash worse?
No, not unless your baby has an oatmeal allergy. Oatmeal is known to soothe skin and is ideal not only for diaper rash relief but other baby skin conditions as it helps create a natural skin barrier. If your child has a skin rash or sensitive skin, giving oatmeal baths are a good non-chemical way to soothe dry skin or irritate itchiness.
Oatmeal Diaper Rash Cream
You can also make an oatmeal diaper cream to help treat any skin condition and help keep your child’s skin dry in their diaper. You can use this as a preventative measure to keep your baby comfortable between baths.
Just grind up 1/4 cup of plain oatmeal in a coffee grinder or blender until you have a very soft powder. Add one tablespoon each of coconut oil, cocoa butter and shea butter and blend again. Finally, add 10 drops of lavender essential oil and blend one more time. Store in a cool, dark place and use within two months.
Use this along with oat baths to treat most pediatric skin conditions. Its anti-inflammatory properties soothe itchiness and redness.
Can I use Quaker oats for the oatmeal bath?
Yes, you can use Quaker oatmeal for an oatmeal bath. Use rolled oats but ground them in blenders or food processors before adding them to the bathwater. This will make a fine powder called colloidal oatmeal which blends with the water better.
Can I use Oats with Cloth Diapers?
Yes, whether as a soothing oatmeal bath for your little one, or using the diaper rash cream recipe above, you can use oats without any risk to your cloth diapers. Note if you are using the diaper rash cream with coconut or shea butter you will need to wash your diapers on HOT to ensure all butter and oils are removed from your cloth diapers or use protective paper liners. For more information on cloth diapers and rash read our guide!
The Bottom Line on Soothing Oatmeal Bath for Babies
This age-old remedy is perfect to help already sensitive skin. Just let your child soak in lukewarm water rather than hot water. Let the oatmeal disperse evenly throughout the bath until the full bath is milky white. It will treat any allergic reaction or bad rash in a totally natural way and helps soothe irritated skin.
An oatmeal bath can be soothing for various skin conditions. For babies, bathing is a non-chemical way to soothe dry or irritated itchiness and help create a natural barrier against diaper rash. Oats also provide relief from the discomfort of chickenpox and other rashes as well as sunburns. Add ground rolled oats to your baby bathtub before adding Epsom salt and some chamomile or lavender essential oils for aromatic benefits.
