New parents know how challenging it can be to care for babies’ sensitive skin. While you should always consult your pediatrician if your baby is suffering from recurrent rashes, you can keep them comfortable at home yourself with these simple solutions.

Choose the Right Clothing and Detergents

Itchy clothing and harsh detergents are often to blame for infants’ skin irritation, so it’s essential to choose all your baby’s clothing with comfort in mind. Look for organic newborn clothes made of cotton or other breathable, natural materials, and make sure that the fabric feels soft and comfortable before you put it on your baby. You don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort; newer brands like Rowdy Sprout, Cat & Dogma and Munsterkids sport adorable designs in fabrics and styles that won’t itch, bunch or trap heat.

Since it’s common for babies to have sensitive skin, there are dozens of options for parents who need to invest in a gentle laundry detergent. Choose brands that are hypoallergenic and free from both dyes and fragrances. Stay away from “unscented” options, which often use chemicals that hide the smell of other ingredients in the product to produce an unscented result. These chemicals are still fragrances, and they can still irritate your baby’s skin.

Soothe Your Baby’s Skin Before Bedtime

You don’t have to bathe your baby every night, especially if they’re prone to rashes, eczema or dry skin, but applying a gentle moisturizer to your baby’s body can help condition their skin and calm irritation. As with laundry detergents, look for natural, fragrance-free and hypoallergenic options. The same goes for bath soaps and body washes; stay away from harsh detergents like sulfates and try soothing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal. Moisturizing your baby’s skin before bed can help them – and you – enjoy a restorative, peaceful night’s rest.

The right clothes matter at night, too. Check out Matisaurus’s collection of organic toddler pajamas to ensure that your little one stays comfortable after bath time and moisturizing are done. The longer your baby can go without scratching or itching, the healthier their skin will become, and a full night free from discomfort can make all the difference in the world

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Know When To Worry About Food

If your baby is old enough to start eating solid foods, it’s natural to wonder if their itchiness comes from food allergies, especially since eczema seems more common among children now than it did in the past. However, the most recent research suggests that diet isn’t usually to blame for skin irritation. Scientists say that abruptly changing your baby’s diet or imposing too many food restrictions isn’t ideal for their growth and development.

However, parents with a family history of food allergies should consult their pediatricians about testing for food sensitivities in their children. In these cases, dietary changes may make a big difference in your baby’s comfort.

For the most part, though, doctors believe that pediatric eczema results from irritating substances or items that come in contact with the skin. That includes everything from itchy fabrics, irritating dyes and colorants, and sensitizing detergents to environmental allergens, like pollen, dust or pet dander. If home care doesn’t keep your child comfortable, follow up with your pediatrician to ask for their input about other ways to manage your baby’s skin problems before you make any big changes to their diet.

As a parent, it’s only natural to feel distressed when your baby is uncomfortable, and dealing with persistent rashes can be overwhelming and frustrating. Fortunately, many of the steps you can take to make your baby feel more comfortable are easy to do at home. Soft organic fabrics and gentle body care products can often help babies feel better right away.