Eczema is common in babies and young children and can leave their skin feeling dry, itchy and uncomfortable. For parents, it can be particularly difficult when eczema seems to become more troublesome at night and your little one just wants to scratch.
While eczema can have many different triggers, there are some simple things you can do to help keep your baby comfortable, particularly when it comes to clothing, temperature and bedtime.
What Does Baby Eczema Look Like?
Atopic eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition that causes the skin to become dry and itchy. It can also become cracked, crusty, scaly, blistered or bleed.
In babies, eczema can appear on different areas of the body, including the face. As children get older, it is often found around areas such as the elbows and knees.
Eczema can vary considerably from one child to another. Some babies may have small patches of dry skin, while others experience more widespread or uncomfortable flare-ups.
You can find more information about the symptoms, causes and treatment of atopic eczema on the NHS website.
If you're concerned about your baby's skin or think they may have eczema, speak to your GP, health visitor or pharmacist for advice.
What Can Trigger Eczema in Babies?
There isn't always an obvious reason for an eczema flare-up, and triggers can be different for every child.
Some things that may irritate sensitive or eczema-prone skin include:
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Heat and changes in temperature
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Certain soaps and detergents
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Rough or irritating fabrics
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Some fragranced products
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Dry environments
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Saliva around the mouth and face
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Scratching the affected skin
It can be helpful to notice when your baby's eczema becomes worse and whether there is a pattern. However, eczema is a medical condition and you shouldn't feel you need to identify or eliminate every possible trigger yourself.
Why Can Baby Eczema Be Worse at Night?
If your baby's eczema seems more troublesome at bedtime, you're certainly not alone. Itching can be particularly noticeable at night and may make it more difficult for babies and young children to settle comfortably.
Becoming too warm in bed may also aggravate itching for some children, making temperature and sleepwear particularly important.
Keeping your baby's nails short and smooth can help reduce the damage caused by scratching. Always follow the treatment and skincare advice given by your GP, health visitor or pharmacist too.
Can Heat and Sweating Make Eczema Worse?
Heat can aggravate itching and eczema symptoms for some babies and children, so it's important to avoid letting your little one become too warm.
At bedtime, dress your baby according to the temperature of their room rather than the season outside.
A baby sleeping bag can make this easier because its TOG rating helps you choose an appropriate level of warmth for the room temperature without the need for loose bedding.
At Slumbersac, our baby sleeping bags are available in different TOG ratings:
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0.5 TOG – for warm rooms above 24°C
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1.0 TOG – for rooms between 18–24°C
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2.5 TOG – for rooms between 15–21°C
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3.5 TOG – for colder rooms below 18°C
These are guidelines only, as every baby is different. Check the back of your baby's neck or their chest to make sure they feel comfortably warm rather than hot or sweaty. Don't worry if their hands and feet feel cooler, as this is normal.
What Clothing Is Best for Babies with Eczema?
When your baby has eczema, it's worth paying particular attention to anything that sits directly against their skin.
Soft, breathable fabrics such as cotton are often a comfortable choice for eczema-prone skin. Avoid materials that feel rough or scratchy and check for seams, labels or fastenings that could rub against sensitive areas.
It's also a good idea to wash new clothes before your baby wears them.
If you've been advised to use a particular laundry detergent because of your baby's eczema, follow the guidance given by your healthcare professional.
For more general advice about caring for delicate skin, you can also read our guide to managing sensitive baby skin.
Choosing Sleepwear for a Baby with Eczema
Comfort is particularly important at night, when itching can make it harder for a baby with eczema to settle.
Look for soft, breathable sleepwear and avoid unnecessary layers that could make your baby too warm.
It's also worth looking closely at the construction of nightwear and sleeping bags. Covered zips and comfortable seams can help minimise areas that might rub against delicate skin.
Whatever your baby wears to bed, make sure it fits correctly and is appropriate for the temperature of their room.
Can a Baby Sleeping Bag Help with Eczema?
A baby sleeping bag won't treat or cure eczema. However, choosing soft, breathable sleepwear and keeping your baby at a comfortable temperature can form part of a comfortable bedtime environment for eczema-prone skin.
Slumbersac baby sleeping bags are made using carefully selected fabrics, including cotton, organic cotton and our lightweight cotton and bamboo muslin used in selected summer sleeping bags.
Our fabrics are tested and certified to OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, which means they have been tested for harmful substances.
Our baby sleeping bags are also designed with covered zip areas and comfortable neck and arm openings, helping to keep fastenings away from delicate skin.
Most importantly, always choose the correct size sleeping bag for your baby and an appropriate TOG for their room temperature.
How Can I Reduce Scratching at Night?
Babies don't understand that scratching can make eczema more irritated – they simply know that scratching an itch can temporarily feel better.
Keeping nails short and smooth can help reduce damage to the skin. Depending on your baby's age and the advice you've received from your healthcare professional, suitable clothing may also help limit direct scratching of affected areas.
Keeping your baby comfortably cool can be important too, as becoming hot and sweaty may make itching worse.
If itching is regularly disturbing your baby's sleep, speak to your GP, health visitor or pharmacist rather than relying on clothing alone to manage it.
When Should You Get Medical Advice About Baby Eczema?
Speak to your GP, health visitor or pharmacist if you're concerned about your baby's skin, you're unsure whether they have eczema or their symptoms aren't improving.
According to NHS guidance, you should seek urgent medical advice if your child's eczema becomes blistered, crusty or starts leaking fluid, has spots containing pus, feels painful, swollen or warm, suddenly gets worse or your child has a high temperature or feels generally unwell. These can be signs that eczema has become infected.
The NHS advises asking for an urgent GP appointment or contacting NHS 111 if these symptoms occur, as treatment may be needed.
Helping Your Baby Stay Comfortable at Night
There's no single solution that works for every baby with eczema. You may find that it takes time to understand what makes your baby's skin more or less comfortable.
When it comes to bedtime, soft and breathable fabrics, avoiding overheating and following the eczema treatment recommended by your healthcare professional can all help create a more comfortable sleep environment.
And remember that a sleeping bag isn't a treatment for eczema. It's simply one way of keeping your baby comfortably dressed for sleep without loose bedding, while allowing you to choose a TOG suitable for their room temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes eczema in babies?
The exact cause of atopic eczema isn't fully understood. It often runs in families and is associated with problems with the skin barrier. Different environmental factors can also trigger or worsen symptoms.
What clothes are best for a baby with eczema?
Soft, breathable fabrics such as cotton are often a comfortable choice for eczema-prone skin. Avoid clothing that feels rough or scratchy and check for seams, labels or fastenings that could irritate sensitive areas.
Why is my baby's eczema worse at night?
Itching can become particularly noticeable at night and becoming too warm may aggravate eczema symptoms for some children. Keeping your baby comfortably dressed and avoiding overheating can help create a more comfortable sleep environment.
Can heat make baby eczema worse?
Heat and sweating can aggravate itching for some babies with eczema. Dress your baby appropriately for their room temperature and check their chest or the back of their neck to make sure they aren't becoming too warm.
Can a sleeping bag help a baby with eczema?
A baby sleeping bag doesn't treat eczema. However, a correctly fitted sleeping bag made from soft, breathable fabric can form part of a comfortable bedtime environment and makes it easier to choose an appropriate level of warmth using its TOG rating.
Should I see a doctor about my baby's eczema?
If you're concerned about your baby's skin, symptoms aren't improving or you're unsure how to manage their eczema, speak to your GP, health visitor or pharmacist. Seek urgent medical advice if you notice possible signs of a skin infection.
