Baby Eczema Treatment at Home - How I Was Doing Everything Wrong for My Son’s Eczema (And What I Learned)

How I Was Doing Everything Wrong for My Son’s Eczema (And What I Learned)

As a mom, all you want is to keep your child healthy and happy. When my son’s eczema first appeared, I did everything I thought was right—but instead of getting better, his eczema only got worse. It was frustrating, heartbreaking, and, above all, confusing. I spent hours researching, reading, and trying every piece of advice I could find, only to see his skin flare up again and again.

Looking back, I realize now that I was making some critical mistakes. But it wasn’t entirely my fault—there’s so much conflicting information out there. If you’re a mom struggling with your child’s eczema, I hope my story can help you avoid the pitfalls I fell into and guide you toward the right path for managing this challenging condition.

Mistake #1: Skipping Daily Baths

When I first started managing my son’s eczema, I came across advice all over the internet that suggested skipping daily baths because “bathing dries out the skin.” My mother-in-law also told me that I shouldn’t bathe him every day, and in my desperation to help my son, I naively believed it. I started giving him a bath only every three days or so, thinking I was doing the right thing to protect his skin. But as the days passed, his skin seemed to get worse.

I vividly remember how the area under his chin, where his neck and chin would meet, would get red and rashy. Babies often have those adorable, chubby necks where their skin folds, and in those folds, moisture and leftover milk would collect, causing irritation. I was almost scared to wash those areas, thinking I might hurt him more, so I just wiped them down with wipes—which, as I later learned, were covered in fragrance. At that time, I had no idea that fragrance could be a major trigger for eczema.

(I was extremely fortunate to have met an allergy specialist at UCLA who gave me the best advice: 'Stay away from anything that smells good.")

The problem was that I didn’t understand the nuances of bathing. Yes, hot water and soap can dry out the skin, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid baths altogether. Fortunately, our allergy specialist gave me some invaluable advice—avoid soap and consider oatmeal baths instead. This sparked an idea for me, and later on, I started making my own bath pack for my son.

At that time, I had no intention of starting a business—I was simply a desperate mom looking for a cure. I began bathing my son every day, following the doctor’s advice to avoid soap. Instead, I created a bath pack using oatmeal, Yomogi (Japanese Mugwort - a healing herb from my Japanese heritage), and Dead Sea salt. The results were incredible—I could see an immediate difference in his skin, and it just kept getting better and better.

(This photograph was captured when he was around 2 years old. He had been using the bath pack since he was 5 months old and loved washing himself with it.)

This experience eventually led to the creation of MogiMogi Baby, but it all started with a mom’s need to help her child. Below is a picture of me with my son and the bath pack we now sell on our site and on Amazon.

(MogiMogi Baby has now earned the Amazon's Choice badge in the oatmeal bath category!)

(This was my very first photo session for MogiMogi Baby, featuring my friend's little girl—she's now 7 years old!)

Mistake #2: Choosing the Wrong Moisturizer

Another big mistake I made was not paying enough attention to the moisturizer I was using. I didn’t think to check the ingredients list—I just grabbed whatever was recommended by other moms or seemed popular on store shelves. Unfortunately, many of the products I tried ended up irritating my son’s skin even more.

What I didn’t realize was that fragrance, essential oils, and even “natural” fragrances can be major triggers for eczema. The more ingredients a product has, the higher the risk of an allergic reaction. For kids with eczema, less is definitely more.

(Not sure about an ingredient? The EWG database is a fantastic resource to help you check which ingredients are safe and which to avoid.)

It wasn’t until I switched to a simple, fragrance-free moisturizer with minimal ingredients that I saw real improvement in my son’s skin. Now, I always read the label carefully and avoid anything with unnecessary additives.

At one point, I went to the other extreme and decided to use pure oils, thinking that fewer ingredients meant fewer chances of a reaction. I tried coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, neem oil, and finally found that jojoba oil worked best for my son. But I’ve learned that every child’s skin is different—what works for one may not work for another. Some kids do well with coconut oil, while others, like mine, don’t. The key is to keep trying different options until you find what’s best for your child.

(This was my favorite—Now Jojoba Oil, a great oil at a great price point.)

Mistake #3: Not Moisturizing on Damp Skin

Perhaps my biggest misconception was how and when to apply moisturizer. I used to think I had to dry my son’s skin completely before slathering on a heavy ointment like Aquaphor, which was highly recommended by other moms. I thought I was doing the right thing by following their advice, but it turns out I was missing a critical step.

The truth is, moisturizing on damp skin is essential. After a bath, when the skin is still slightly wet, it’s primed to absorb moisture. Applying moisturizer at this stage helps lock in that hydration and creates a protective barrier that prevents the skin from drying out further.

When I used to dry my son’s skin completely before applying moisturizer, I was unknowingly letting all that hydration evaporate, leaving his skin vulnerable. And while Aquaphor can be a good protective barrier, it doesn’t hydrate the skin on its own—it’s the combination of moisture and a barrier that really makes a difference.

Educating Moms with the Right Information

I made these mistakes because, like so many moms, I was overwhelmed with advice and didn’t know what to believe. Managing eczema is tough, and it’s easy to get lost in all the conflicting information. But with the right knowledge, you can make a huge difference in your child’s skin health.

If you’re navigating your child’s eczema journey, here are the three key steps to remember:

1. Hydrate with Daily Baths: Use warm water, keep baths short, and avoid soap. Daily baths help hydrate the skin, making it more receptive to moisturizing.
2. Choose a Simple, Fragrance-Free Moisturizer: Avoid products with fragrances, essential oils, or too many ingredients. The simpler, the better.
3. Moisturize on Damp Skin: After bathing, gently pat your child’s skin dry, leaving it slightly damp, and then apply a generous layer of moisturizer. This locks in moisture and helps protect the skin barrier.

I’ve learned that managing eczema is all about consistency and finding what works best for your child. Don’t be afraid to adjust your approach, and always consult with your child’s healthcare provider if you’re unsure. With the right routine, you can help your little one feel more comfortable in their skin—literally.

Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. We’re all learning as we go, and together, we can support each other in making the best choices for our children’s health.