We all understand the power of a good nights’ sleep at all ages, and we all know a tired baby is not a happy baby, which can also lead to lost sleep for the whole family. Clocks change, seasons vary, the mercury rises and falls, babies have growth spurts and changing needs at different ages and stages and of course, family life can get busy. It can take a little planning, but the experts agree that the power of routine is one of the key ways to establish healthy sleep habits whatever the weather. Research has shown that following familiar steps each evening can help to regulate your baby’s body clock and establish a sleeping pattern.
Aveeno Baby has a 3-step bedtime routine which consists of a warm bath, followed by a soothing massage and finally, quiet time, and is clinically proven to help baby fall asleep faster and stay asleep for longer. With this in mind, the Aveeno Baby Calming Comfort range has been specially formulated to help parents create a calm and relaxing bedtime routine to send their little ones off into the land of nod and deliver a better night’s sleep for the whole family. Gentle enough for everyday use, the Calming Comfort range has been carefully created for delicate baby skin, containing soothing oat extract, alongside soft aromas of vanilla and the relaxing scent of lavender.
According to Paediatric Sleep Consultants Laura Boyd and Orla Connaughton, co-founders of gentle sleep consultancy, The Dream Team, scent, sounds and the calming wind down to bedtime can also help babies learn the cues that it’s time to sleep, so that if the time varies slightly for whatever reason, the familiarity of the actual routine will help baby recognise all the associations of bedtime and help keep things calmer.
“Bedtime is a wonderful opportunity to love on your little one! Babies love predictability and routine. It helps them to feel secure. Set a bedtime for baby and then create a night-time routine that signals sleep time. A lovely warm bath and gentle massage can help with the associations of sleep. So, when life gets busy or when things outside of your control cause a change to schedules, the regularity and familiarity of the routine itself will help keep baby reassured until things settle back into rhythm again.”
“A bedtime bath can regulate their temperature and the warm water soothes digestion helping them to sleep better at night. Giving your child this one-on-one time encourages the nurturing bond between parent and child. Gently massaging baby before bed, not only helps their muscles relax but also gives you the opportunity to enjoy lots of eye contact and cuddles with baby, strengthening the relationship with your little one!"
The Aveeno Baby Calming Comfort range, made up of a Bath & Wash and Moisturising Lotion, has been specifically designed to create a step-by-step routine from bath to bed. Incorporating calming scents helps with this familiarity at bedtime while also helping to keep them comfortable when they need it most.
Step 1: Warm Bath: Begin baby’s pre-bed routine with a warm relaxing bath scented using Aveeno Baby Calming Comfort Bath & Wash.
Step 2: Gentle Massage: Follow the bath with a soothing baby massage using Aveeno Baby Calming Comfort Lotion, the perfect way to make little ones feel secure, loved and ready for sleep.
Step 3: Quiet Time: Finally, send your little one off into the land of nod with some quiet time. Keep the atmosphere calm and cosy and help baby wind down further by reading, singing or playing a lullaby.
When it comes to putting baby down for the night, The Dream Team offer some more advice. “Letting your baby settle themselves in their cot, rather than being fully asleep when you put them down can help them learn how to soothe themselves to sleep, a key tool when they are older and beyond the night feeds.”
“Keep babies’ bedrooms dark to help with an undisturbed sleep,” they add. “With brighter summer evenings, black out blinds can really help to keep out the chinks of light so babies can settle easier in the evening and ensure they don’t wake too early. Maintain darkness for nighttime feeds and keep your voice low to support that sleepy vibe.”
When babies feel comfortable in their skin, their whole world opens up. That’s why a lot of love goes into the formulation of Aveeno Baby, so that every baby can experience happy, comfortable skin throughout the day and right through the night. And while these days and nights are long, the years are short. Aveeno Baby products, including the Calming Comfort range, are all free from soaps, sulphates and dyes, created especially for these precious baby years, to leave delicate skin feeling clean, soft, moisturised and nourished round the clock.
Aveeno Baby Calming Comfort Bedtime Bath & Wash
Gently cleanses delicate baby skin and helps calm the baby bedtime. Blended with soothing oat extract, a soft aroma of vanilla and the calming scent of lavender. For a complete bedtime routine, follow with a relaxing massage using Aveeno Baby Calming Comfort Bedtime Lotion and quiet time.
- pH balanced
- Dermatologist tested
- Soap, sulphates and dye free
- Tear-free formula
- Gentle enough for everyday use
Aveeno Baby Calming Comfort Bedtime Lotion
Specially formulated for your baby's delicate skin. Gently moisturises after bath time and helps calm your baby before bedtime through massage. Blended with soothing oat extract, a soft aroma of vanilla and the calming scent of lavender. For a complete bedtime routine, use after a relaxing bath using Aveeno Baby Calming Comfort Bedtime Bath & Wash.
- pH balanced
- Paediatrician & Dermatologist tested
- Dye free
- Non-greasy formula with prebiotic colloidal oatmeal
- Clinically proven to protect and moisturise baby skin for a full 24 hours
Aveeno Baby Calming Comfort range is available in pharmacies nationwide retailing at €6.99 RRP.
