Will baby sleep if I stop bedtime baths?

[deathb4decaf]

Hi all,

I have an over tired, over stimulated baby (almost 5 months) and I'm looking at how I can simplify things in a bid to get her sleeping more.
I've tweaked the bedtime routine by making the room much darker, not chatting to her much and I've replaced the light up toys with a white noise machine.
Seems to have helped so far, but she gets extremely excited for the bath and I'm thinking they would be better suited to mornings.
Will she still know it's bedtime without it?! Anyone been successful with this? Thanks

[mouldycheesefan]

Yes Baths can over excite. I only bathed mine once per week anyway.

[Lweji]

My DS had eczema, so I didn't bathe him every night. We had a routine involving getting the room darker, breastfeeding, singing or a book.

[deathb4decaf]

A bath has always been part of her bedtime routine and probably the biggest sleep association for her, I would be taking them away completely. Anyone done this?

[Sparrowlegs248]

Can you replace it with a massage instead? I never do a bedtime bath as it is VERY exciting.

[deathb4decaf]

Good idea, I'll try that thanks

[Caterina99]

My DS is 5 months. I only do baths once or twice a week due to eczema. But it's never been part of his routine so he wouldn't associate it with bedtime.

I'd just move them to another time and see how it goes. Maybe in the morning? Our bedtime "routine" is about 5-10 min. After his last feed, I get him in his pjs which involves putting on his creams, which takes a few min, then I switch off the light and switch on the white noise machine and rock him for a little bit. Then he goes to bed sleepy and is usually asleep within 10 min. I tried books and stuff but he was too tired and bath time is too exciting!

[fluffikins]

Yes, dd has eczema so we went from bathing every day to massage instead. I simulated the bath by taking her into the same room and doing top and tail before massage.

[Cockbollocks]

Just take it away she may surprise you! We have an incredibly short bedtime routine as he's the 3rd child and tbh he goes down far better then any of the others did!!

I would try and avoid swopping one thing for another if you can get away with it.