If you're raising a little one with eczema or sensitive skin, you already know the drill: the itching, the restless nights, the endless googling at 2am wondering what's actually going to help. The good news is a handful of small, everyday changes can make a real difference. Here's what actually works, no jargon, just the practical stuff.
Keep them cool
Eczema makes it harder for skin to regulate its own temperature, and heat tends to make the itch worse. Try not to overdress your baby, keep their room cool and airy (especially in summer), and go for lightweight bedding over heavy blankets.
Moisturiser is doing most of the work
This is the one that matters most. Ask your GP or Plunket nurse about a good moisturiser and use it generously and often, some families get through a full tub in a week during a flare-up, and that's completely normal. The more consistent you are with it, the less you'll need steroid creams.
Skip anything with soap or fragrance
Look for "soap-free" and "fragrance-free" on the label, and steer clear of bubble bath altogether. Handy tip: the same cream your doctor prescribes as a moisturiser can often double as a gentle soap substitute too, so you're not juggling five different products.
A quick daily bath, then straight into moisturiser
A short bath or shower each day helps clean the skin and gets it ready to soak up moisturiser afterwards. Little ones get slippery once they're covered in cream, so keep a hand on them in the bath and pat, don't rub, them dry. Short nails and cotton mittens at night can help cut down on scratching too.
Where BUBLii fits into our routine
One change that made a real difference for us: filtering the chlorine out of our shower water before it ever touches our daughter's skin. We use a BUBLii shower filter for bath and shower time, then follow straight up with a gentle, fragrance-free cream while her skin's still damp. It's a small swap, but it's genuinely helped us, and it took about two minutes to fit onto our existing showerhead, no plumber needed.
Source: Top Tips For Caring For Your Child With Eczema, KidsHealth New Zealand, developed with the Paediatric Society NZ's Eczema Clinical Network.
This article is for general information and isn't a substitute for advice from your doctor, nurse, or Plunket.