Watching a Baby With Eczema

My sister has left. She is now a five-hour flight away, across the country where she can occasionally be reached. My niece, on the other hand, is here with me. She’s the cutest, funniest, most intelligent baby I know. I love her so much and while I’m so excited to have this aunty/baby bonding time, I can’t say I don’t worry.

Baby eczema

My niece lives with a pretty tricky form of atopic dermatitis. While the name sounds like any other, the appearance doesn’t present the same - not even on her body. Each part of her body has a unique breakout when she’s flaring. It makes it really hard on her and really hard for us to watch. For the last few months, my sister has done an amazing job of keeping it tamed. My niece still scratches and becomes uncomfortable, but for the most part, she’s a happy and healthy baby!

I don’t want to mess that up.

Avoiding eczema flares

I don’t want to mess up all of my sister’s hard work. I know it took a lot to get Tamia’s skin the way it is now. I’m worried that now that my sister is gone, her little body will get out of its usual routine and return to it’s old, flared ways. I worry that she will become uncomfortable and there will be nothing I can do to soothe her. I love her so much and I really don’t want to see her in any kind of pain – especially not like this.

Being held back?

My niece is in school. She’s a very active two-year-old and loves to experience every ounce of life that she can. She loves to get dirty, she loves running, jumping, rolling in the grass, you name it, it’s her thing! I don’t want to limit her for fear of a flare. I don’t want to stop her from doing what she loves simply so I can be comfortable. I know I can’t protect her from life, so how in the world can I protect her from herself?

Relationship between parents and children

I truly believe mothers know their children best. I believe parents have some special gift that allows them to know their kids better than anyone else in this world and are therefore able to do things others simply cannot. I don’t know how my sister takes on my niece’s condition along with everything else she has on her plate. I don’t know how she understands just what a tiny human needs during their time of need with such ease.

Unpredictability of eczema

I pray we are able to get through this time with no mishaps. So far, we are off to a good start, but with this condition, especially Tamia’s specifically, being so unpredictable, you just never know. I’ve been following all of the rules and using her creams and lotions as advised. Yesterday she had a bath - not too short, not too long - just as advised by her doctor. I knew she wanted to play more, but I just couldn’t risk it. I’m trying to return this baby just as I received her: flare free!