DIY Herbal Baby Bath

This DIY herbal baby bath is a wonderful natural sleep remedy for babies, and it’s gentle on newborn skin, yet effective for baby eczema.

There’s nothing like gentle herbs and a warm bath to get your baby in the mood for a good night’s rest. I was blessed with a baby who adores sleeping for the most part, so while I didn’t struggle in that department, we did battle some baby eczema.

I’m fascinated with the healing power of different herbs and flowers, but I’m always hesitant when it comes to using anything on my baby. Most of my son’s baths are done simply with water and castile soap.

I’m not a certified herbalist (yet), and I don’t claim to be one.

However, I triple checked with two different herbalists and even our pediatrician before giving my son his first herbal bath with the ingredients listed below. So rest assured, this recipe is considered completely safe, even for newborns. 

Always talk to your pediatrician about anything concerning your child’s health, even when it comes to minor eczema. I always used the hydrocortisone cream our doctor prescribed my son, and then turned to natural remedies as an extra effort to keep breakouts at bay.

Why Give Your Baby A Bath With Herbs?

Now that we got all of that out of the way, let’s talk about how awesome herbal baths are, and why you should give it a try!

As parents, we like to buy all of these bath and body products with different floral scents, and it’s so funny to me that we turn around and question using the actual flowers and herbs themselves. In fact, I’ve been gifted so many oatmeal baby body washes, it’s not even funny.

We have this idea that oatmeal baby wash is good for babies, and rose scented lotions are good for keeping their skin hydrated after a bath, right? Well why not get the goodness straight from source, minus all the added junk in most store-bought baby products? Soap isn’t great for baby skin to begin with.

I highly recommend this herbal baby bath blend, especially when establishing a nighttime routine, or battling a restless baby who fights sleep. The flowers found in this “recipe” are calming and great for your little one’s delicate skin.

Related: DIY Postpartum Herbal Bath Tea Blend (Safe For Mom & Baby)

DIY Herbal Baby Bath

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Ingredients For Herbal Baby Bath:

• Lavender
• Chamomile
• Calendula
• Rose Buds
• Oats
• Muslin Bag

About The Herbs In This Baby Bath Recipe:

Lavender: It’s no secret that lavender is used to ease stress and tension. The aroma is calming, it’s gentle on sensitive skin, and adding it to your baby’s bath aides in a good night’s sleep.

Chamomile: Chamomile is commonly used as a natural sleep aid. These beautiful, fragrant flowers are great for stress relief, and they also have anti-inflammatory properties. It’s safe for babies (of course), and aside from calendula, it’s my go-to herb for topical use on my son.

Calendula: Calendula is another gentle flower that is known for healing skin irritations and inflammation. It’s anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-septic, and it’s perfect for treating a variety of skin conditions. It’s the herb I always have on hand to treat minor rashes and burns.

Rose Buds: Besides their light, calming aroma, rose buds are gentle on baby skin. The aroma can ease the stress or discomfort your baby may be experiencing, while leaving their skin hydrated and fresh-smelling.

Oats: Okay, oats aren’t an herb, but they’re great for your baby’s skin! There’s a reason there are a variety of oatmeal baby bath washes out there.

Related: Homemade Diaper Cream (That Really Works!)

How To Make An Herbal Bath For Babies:

1. Add Ingredients To Muslin Bag.

Be sure to leave some extra space at the top! The oatmeal will swell once submerged in the hot water.

2. Run A Hot Bath

Run a bath with super hot water and drop the muslin bag full of herbs and oatmeal in.

3. Allow The Bath Water To Infuse

Let the herbal goodness soak into the tub water for at least 10 minutes. The longer you allow it to infuse, the better! Since babies bathe in cool water compared to adults, by the time the water is cooled off enough for your baby to bathe in, it should be good and infused.

4. Squeeze Out The Remaining Water and Enjoy!

Squeeze the bag a few times to release the water still trapped inside, and enjoy bathing your little one!

I hope you and your little one enjoy this herbal bath blend! You can discard the herbs and oats and wash the muslin bag for future use. When I make batches ahead of time, I keep them sealed in a mason jar and transfer them to a muslin bag right before bath time.

Have you given your baby an herbal bath? Do you use the same herbs listed above? Let me know how your experience was in the comments section below. I’d love to hear from you!

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