I know what is like. My baby had eczema as long as I can remember. I am afraid I made worst when she was a little baby because my doc. told me that was better to no apply any cream on babies!!
We have try many creams, and your friend is right, some seam to not work at all and others work but for little and then they go back.
We went to a allergist, and we found out she was allergic to many things, milk, eggs, feathers (from our pillows) mushrooms (from my wrinkle creams) and others.
When we stop giving her this things, we notice a good change.
We also found that was better if we don't use the doc creams everyday, instead we put her a lot, emphasis in A LOT of Aquapor healing ointment (the baby one) the doc say that vaseline was the same thing but for us Aquapor seem to work best.
We also like Aveeno baby soothing relief creamy wash, (also like the sunscreen).
The cream that works best for us was Locoid Lipocream (hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1%) and other one but I can't remember the name.
She is now 2 and she is a lot better, she almost never get any oozing spots.
She outgrow her allergy to milk too.
Other things that work for us was not give her a shower everyday, again, use lots of Aquapor, don't use softener in her clothes, back then we only ue Dreft soap but now she is ok with Tide.
I have seen some creams that are special for eczema, I use California Baby, Calendula cream, which is nut oils, gluten, soy, oat and dairy free.
It is expensive and it had the same effect that Aquapor so we just stick with it.
Lubriderm, Eucerin were good too.
I think she should go see an allergist first, try Aquapor, Lubriderm, Eucerin or Calendula cream to see what works best, give a try to the Locoid Lipocream but only in the spots and not use it everyday.
Hope this help.
You don't say how old is her baby, but my baby is outgrowing hers, so I hope her kid does it too soon.
EDIT: Also tell her to be careful with sweat, that seem to make my baby rash, she shouldn't wash her baby everyday (with soap) but a quick rinse of water will do. Apply moisturise while skin still wet.
Another important think, no give baby bath with warm water, the colder the better, I mean, not to cause baby to be freeze, but, warm/hot water dry skin and just make eczema worst.
I agree with the other mom that said that every kid is different, and she will have to find the mix that works for her.