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Saturday 26 May 2018

How to perfect the baby bedtime routine

Perfecting your baby's sleep routine can be tricky, especially when you're surviving on just a few hours of shut-eye yourself. But once mastered, the results can be life-changing for you and your little one, so it's worth incorporating these tips into your nightly pattern. You can thank us later...



Be mindful of timing
Your baby will have their own sleeping and waking pattern which is unlikely to be the same as other babies you know. It will come as no surprise to say that your baby's sleep routine is unlikely to match your own too.

You might feel ready to introduce a bedtime routine when your baby reaches around three months old. Getting your little one into a simple, soothing routine is helpful for everyone and can help to prevent sleeping problems later on.

Start by teaching your baby that daytime is different to nighttime: during the day, keep the curtains open and don't worry too much about everyday noises while they're sleeping.Your child will gradually learn that nighttime is for sleeping.

Use bathtime to your advantage
A bedtime routine is a great opportunity to have some one-to-one time with your baby. This might include having a bath, changing them into their night clothes, putting them to bed or singing them a lullaby.

If your baby suffers from dry skin and any associated conditions, bathtime is a good opportunity to offer them some relief before they sleep. Try adding Oilatum Junior Bath Additive and Junior Cream to your routine. Oilatum Junior Bath Additive is fragrance-free and it forms an emollient film on the skin surface to reduce moisture loss to soothe, soften and hydrate the skin. It contains mineral oil which when mixed with water transforms your bath milky white. Finish with Oilatum Junior Cream, which has been clinically tested to relieve itch for eight hours*.

Turn white noise into a 'soother'
White noise is similar to a mother's heartbeat in that it can help soothe a baby and send them off to sleep more soundly. Babies are used to noise inside the womb and so a complete lack of sound can make it more difficult for them to have a peaceful sleep.

On the other hand calming, repetitive sound like the lapping of waves or a ticking clock can mask outside sounds that could be keeping your child awake.

Become a masseuse
Massaging your baby can be a great way to bond and enjoy time with your baby through rhythmic stroking. Before language, we communicate and comfort our children through touch. Studies have shown that routine touching and massage can lead to improved psychological, cognitive, emotional and social development.

Massage is also thought to enable parents to become more confident in handling their child and recognising their needs, as well as improving sleep, digestion, colic, wind and constipation in your baby. Try your first massage at bathtime, avoiding any oils or lotions until your baby is at least a month old.

Remember, consistency is key

You can introduce a bedtime routine by the time your baby is three months old. A simple and consistent routine will help your baby to learn healthy sleep habits for the future, as well as regulating their body clock and establishing a sleep pattern. Your baby will be relaxed when they know what to expect. This routine could include changing your child into their pyjamas, reading a bedtime story, singing a lullaby or kissing them goodnight.


Oilatum Junior Cream and Oilatum Junior Bath Additive are specially developed to treat your child's dry and eczema prone skin. Shop the range here.

Oilatum Junior Cream contains light liquid paraffin and white soft paraffin. Oilatum Junior Bath Additive contains light liquid paraffin. Always read the label.'

*study conducted on adults with dry, itchy skin.

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