From Heartbreak to Healing: My Journey with Hae In’s Eczema

When my daughter, Hae In, was born, the joy of new parenthood was quickly met with a difficult reality: eczema. It started with small red patches on her face that soon spread to her arms and the joints of her legs. Seeing those raw, irritated patches on such a tiny person was absolutely heartbreaking.

Like many parents in Singapore, our first stop was the polyclinic, which led to a referral to the KKH (KK Women's and Children's Hospital) skin specialist.

The Medical Protocol: Creams and Oil

The specialists at KKH provided us with a clear clinical plan: We were prescribed Desonide (a mild steroid) and Elidel (a non-steroid cream) to manage the inflammation. We also had to overhaul her bath routine, replacing standard body washes with QV body oil to lock in as much moisture as possible.

But medicine was only half the battle: what she wore mattered just as much as what we put on her skin.

The "Scratch" Dilemma: Short vs. Long Sleeves

We were stuck in a constant tug-of-war. During the day, we wanted her in short sleeves to keep her cool in our 90% humidity. But at night, when eczema usually flares up, she would scratch her patches until they bled.

We needed something that could cover her arms to prevent scratching but wouldn't cause her to overheat. That’s when we discovered bamboo fabric.

The "Aha" Moment: We found that even in Singapore's humidity, Hae In could wear long-sleeve bamboo sets at night with the AC on. It was breathable enough to prevent sweating, yet soft enough to protect her skin from her own fingernails.

The "Price Shock" in Singapore

As we transitioned Hae In almost exclusively to bamboo for sleep and home wear, we hit a major roadblock: the cost.

In Singapore, it wasn’t uncommon to see a single bamboo zip-up pajama set retailing for $60, or a basic long-sleeve set for $40. Knowing how fast babies outgrow clothes, these prices felt impossible for most families to sustain.

Why I Started Hae Hae

I didn't just want bamboo for Hae In; I wanted it to be accessible for every parent dealing with the same heartbreak. This led us to open our own factory in Batam. By controlling the production, we could ensure two things: Quality and Price.

We spent months testing fabrics. Even though many suppliers claim to use a 95% bamboo and 5% spandex blend, we found that the quality varies wildly. We finally secured a specific supplier whose fabric was significantly softer than the rest, exactly what Hae In’s sensitive skin needed.

We also made specific design changes based on her needs:

• No Collar Tags: We removed all tags from the neck area to eliminate a major source of itching.

• Zipper Guards: We added a dedicated backing piece of fabric between the zipper and the skin so nothing metallic or rough touches the baby.

Light at the End of the Tunnel

It took about three months of consistent care, including the creams, the oil, and the switch to premium bamboo, before we saw her skin clear up significantly.

Today, Hae In has mostly recovered. While small patches still appear when the air quality is poor, she no longer scratches until she bleeds.

My Advice to You

If you’ve just received that KKH referral, please know this: It is a long journey. The effects of your effort, such as the cream applications, the fabric changes, and the constant moisturizing, will take time to show.

Be patient. It won't happen overnight, but seeing your child finally sleep through the night without scratching is worth every bit of effort.