Sleep – one of my favourite pastimes, sadly I don’t get as much as I’d like, thanks to my sleep thieves, the children. If it’s not one, it’s one of the others, but sometimes I do get some sleep, and we’re heading into slightly more reliable territory with Daniel, he will go to bed in the evening now and only wakes once. Or twice. Occasionally none at all, but not regularly enough for us to get excited about. These times are short, though, I know from the others that they soon grow out of it, so I’m not too fussed. I’m sharing my bedtime routine that I do with Daniel as part of the Britmums and Bepanthen Bedtime Challenge. I made a vlog of what we like to do and the challenges we face – keeping him still for a nappy change and trying to wind down at the end of the day are the main things. The older two often decide that 6.45 is a good time to start a game of ‘Chase Daniel’ or ‘Jump off the sofa,’ both of which involve squealing and running around. Not good. On the whole, it works out well, and if he’s really tired, he’ll fall asleep on the boob and I can just transfer him up to his bed. If he’s not that exhausted, it can involve one of us sitting in his room with him while he falls asleep. If we invest 10-15 minutes sitting with him, it pays off and he sleeps, if not then we have crying, stamping of feet and then going back up to start all over again. Here’s the video, excuse the walls, we’re going to have the walls replastered soon!
I mentioned a few products in there, the octopus is called Tappy, he was my very first review product and he still looks as good as when we first got him. I know he has tentacles rather than fingers, but hey I was on camera and fingers were what I thought of! Waterproof books are very common and you can get them from places like Boots or John Lewis or your local supermarket. The apron towel I use is one from Cuddledry, but there are other cheaper ones, but this one is double layered with sturdy poppers and it’s lasted through all the children. Here’s a summary of our bedtime routine for Daniel (at 21 months).
6.oo – Finish off tea, play with siblings, attempt to wind down, dim lights
6.30 – Bathtime if we’re having one
6.40 – Pyjama time if no bath
6.45 – Out of bath, dry and change
7.00 – Read a story, breastfeed
7.15 – Brush teeth
7.15-8.00 – Sleep!

One thing I don’t have to worry about is sore bottoms, thanks to Bepanthen, my go to nappy cream. I’ve tried pretty much every kind on the market – zinc based (weird smell and texture), barrier creams (mid priced, but leaves a residue and smell) and cammomile/ aromatherapy based (nice fragrance, good for sensitive skin and everyday use, but not so effective on nappy rash) but this is the only one that truly prevents nappy rash, is easily absorbed, non greasy, non sticky and you only need a very small amount so that one tube will last you years if you’re using it right. It’s clinically proven for babies delicate skin and enhances the natural protection of the skin, so it doesn’t strip the natural oils they have. I particularly like that it’s free from unnecessary ingredients, only ones that have documented safety and benefit and contains no preservatives or antiseptics.

This Post is an entry for #BepanthenBedtimeChallenge, sponsored by Bepanthen. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/Bepanthen or www.bepanthen.co.uk All opinions are my own.
Thank you for reading - if you enjoyed this content, please consider buying me a coffee here or browse my Amazon wishlist I really appreciate your support and it helps to keep the site running and for my time 🙂

35 Comments
Haha sleep thieves, I love that. I use to love board books, I remember when my bedtime was 6:30pm when I was 6 and under. I think it’s good you’ve got soothing bubble bath as the scents do help, it seems you’ve got a good routine going – for the sleep thieves. Now I would like a tappy lol! x
October 4, 2016 at 7:35 amThank you x you can get Tappy from Jo Jo maman bebe.
October 4, 2016 at 7:37 amAww your little boy is so cute!
How funny that you call them sleep thieves 🙂
Dani x
October 4, 2016 at 10:38 amThank you x
October 4, 2016 at 10:40 amGreat tips here, my friend is struggling to get her toddler into a nighttime routine so I’ll share this with her x
October 4, 2016 at 1:28 pmAw thanks – good luck to her!
October 4, 2016 at 2:00 pmI couldn’t even start to imagine how hard it must be to get your little one into a routine – these sound like some good tips though!
October 4, 2016 at 2:42 pmSome great tips here, especially for new mums!
October 4, 2016 at 4:05 pmThank you Tara x
October 4, 2016 at 4:15 pmGreat tips here, bedtime routines are important and they need it as well, as do the poor mums and dads x
October 4, 2016 at 6:42 pmToo right!
October 4, 2016 at 7:20 pmMy cousin has just turned two, and so I shall be sure to send your link to my aunty who is pretty new to parenting as he is adopted xx
October 4, 2016 at 8:03 pmThat’s fantastic – I’m always around if she needs a friendly ear – I don’t know what I’m doing half the time and I didn’t need to go through checks to get my kids!
October 4, 2016 at 8:13 pmIt must be so tough trying to get kids to be, I struggle to get myself to sleep most nights x
October 4, 2016 at 10:21 pmHaha! I love that you can them the sleep thieves! Routines are so important, these are great tips! xo
October 4, 2016 at 11:13 pmSounds like a bedtime routine very similar to mine! I’m usually zonko at 7:30pm. Having a routine from an early age is so important – then everyone knows the score. My folks like having their evening to themselves as well. Great tips and suggestions xx
October 5, 2016 at 6:46 amThanks Isabella, you’re up nice and early like me
October 5, 2016 at 6:49 amMy little boy has just turned two and he definitely sleeps better with a routine in place.
October 5, 2016 at 9:09 amRoutine is SO important with little ones I think – you seem to have a good one going on x
October 5, 2016 at 9:23 amI don’t have children of my own but I’ve always been told about the importance of a routine. Should come in handy when my friends no doubt take advantage of my babysitting offer!
October 5, 2016 at 10:03 amSo many good tips for new mums! X
October 5, 2016 at 11:10 amThank you x
October 5, 2016 at 7:02 pmGreat to hear how you are getting on and you look such a happy family. Commenting for myself and on behalf of BritMums and thanking you for taking part.
October 5, 2016 at 2:59 pmYou’re welcome and thanks for reading x
October 5, 2016 at 7:02 pmI have 3 sleep thieves plus my husband. I found setting up routines help greatly.
October 5, 2016 at 6:57 pmHa ha – does he snore?
October 5, 2016 at 7:01 pmYour children are just beautiful!
October 6, 2016 at 12:15 amWhat a fabulous, well organised routine you have I hope I can juggle everything as well as you when I have my own children!
TQR x
thequietresolution.co.uk
Thanks, it doesn’t always run like clockwork, life gets in the way sometimes. But on the whole it all works out.
October 6, 2016 at 6:02 amI have all this to look forward to. I will be bookmarking this to re-read when it is our time to do this.
October 6, 2016 at 12:57 pmI don’t have a baby yet but I’m sure I’ve got all of this to come! xxx
October 6, 2016 at 5:59 pmWe had a routine quite similar when my little girl was younger, luckily once she was down she was out for the count. Now shes 11 it’s a nightmare trying to get her to go to bed, she thinks she’s missing out on the big wide adult world and that we do some exciting secret activities… I watch TV and go to bed an hour after her haha! Nothing exciting there! xx
October 7, 2016 at 3:41 pmExactly, I’m dreading when they’re older and with us all the time!
October 7, 2016 at 3:55 pmTappy the octopus sounds great, I agree the importance of a good bathroom routine is very important especially for young ones.
October 8, 2016 at 11:06 amYou have a cute boy Jenny, he is so sweet <3
And thanks for sharing these tips, I will try them ASAP. Really like your well organized routine!
January 15, 2017 at 8:37 pmThank you, it doesn’t always go to plan!
January 15, 2017 at 8:43 pm