How to Make an Oatmeal Bath for Babies (& Why They Work)

Oatmeal cookies.

Oatmeal pancakes.

But an oatmeal bath for babies?

Turn out, oatmeal is so much more than a healthy breakfast.

It’s also nourishing for skin, both young and old.

Let’s talk about why you might want to give your baby an oatmeal bath, and how to do it.

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What is an oatmeal bath for babies?

An oatmeal bath is a regular bath but with finely ground oatmeal added to the water.

There are lots of oatmeal bath benefits, too!

They're soothing and nourishing and can be a great way to treat skin ailments for babies.

Or for anyone, really.

They've even been recommended as a "gentle remedy" for dealing with temper tantrums in toddlers and older infants!

Pretty amazing for something we eat for breakfast.

Is an oatmeal bath good for babies?

Oatmeal, besides being really nutritious when eaten, also has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-itch properties.

So it’s great for skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, rashes, and dry, itchy, flaky skin in general.

And it's an effective treatment for people of color, too (since PoCs are often left out of medical studies, we thought it was worth mentioning!).

Oatmeal also helps to repair the skin barrier, which is why oatmeal is a key ingredient in so many soothing body lotions, shampoos, and creams.

Oatmeal baths can soothe and moisturize babies’ dry skin.

You could also use oatmeal baths for diaper rash, as this study suggests.

Plus, they can provide relief for a lot of skin conditions (in babies, children, and adults), such as:

• Acne
• Hives
• Chicken pox
• Sunburn
• Poison ivy
• Insect bites
• Diaper rash
• Eczema
  A quick note here: if you’re concerned about a skin condition that your baby has, it’s best to check in with your doctor to make sure you get the right treatment.

It's also worth noting that, although it's very rare, some people can have allergies to oatmeal, so keep an eye on your babe while they're having a soak.

But an oatmeal bath is also just a great way to pamper your little one.

Sounds amazing, right? So how do you get started?

How do you give a baby an oatmeal bath?

Preparing an oatmeal bath for babies is pretty simple.

Ideally, you want to use colloidal oatmeal, which is a fine powder that you can buy in the skincare aisle or wherever soap-making supplies are sold.

You can also make your own colloidal oatmeal by grinding oats in your blender or coffee grinder.

The idea is to grind them up fine enough that they’ll dissolve in water.

Test your grinds by adding a small amount to a glass of warm water and stir.

If it dissolves, you’re good to go.

If not, keep grinding.

How to make an oatmeal bath for babies

Once you’ve got your oatmeal powder ready, you can start with the bath.

1. Start filling the bathtub with warm water. Make sure the temperature is warm, but not too hot.

2. As the bath is filling, sprinkle the oatmeal powder into the tub. About 10 CCs (or 2 teaspoons) should do the trick.

Mix the water by hand.

The oatmeal should dissolve after a few minutes.

3. Keep adding the oatmeal, a teaspoon at a time as the bath fills. By the time you have the bath full enough, the water should be a milky white color.

4. It’s bath time! Pop your baby into the oatmeal bath and gently pour the water over them.

5. Let them play in the water and enjoy it as a regular bath. Have those bath toys ready!

You want to get them soak for at least 10 to 15 minutes to give the oatmeal time to work its magic.

6. Stay with them at all times. There are two reasons for this — to keep them safe and to try and get the water all over their bodies.

7. When you take them out, pat them dry rather than rubbing with a towel. You could also rub on a gentle moisturizer.

How much oatmeal do I put in my baby’s bath?

It depends on the size of your bath and how deep you make it.

But you’d probably need about a cup of oatmeal for a full bathtub.

And a couple of teaspoons for a baby bathtub.

You can use the color of the water as a gauge to see if you’ve added enough.

Can you use oat milk for a baby milk bath?

Yes, you can use oat milk for a baby milk bath.

It's creamy, dreamy, and oh-so-gentle on baby's skin, just like oatmeal.

Simply add 1-2 cups of oat milk to a warm bath, and let baby soak in the goodness for about 10-15 minutes.

Just make sure to use plain, unsweetened oat milk, and not to add any sugar or honey to the bath.

Can I use Quaker Oats for an oatmeal bath?

You can use any kind of plain oats for an oatmeal bath, although colloidal oatmeal is the most scientifically proven to effectively treat dry skin conditions.

The only thing you should avoid is oatmeal that has other ingredients, colorants, or flavorings added.

In the end, oatmeal baths aren't only good for babies.

Since the bath is run, why not hop in there, too?

They’re good for skin in general — and that means yours, too.

Happy soaking, mama!