Mel, my DS had the same routine for the first 12 months of his life pretty much when it came to the evening routine. Bath, feed, bed - always at the same time....and we kept the noise level the same, not too loud and not dead quiet either. When he started solids, he'd eat first, then bath, boob/bottle and straight to bed. I always used the J&J moisturising baby wash every day and his skin was never dried out. The bath was always a lovely sedate, yet playful, happy time and really helped him I think. As for not bathing each day...how would you feel if you weren't bathed each day. I'd be crotchety!!! Unless they've got an existing skin condition, I'd wash the baby each day without fail.

At 4 months, I started putting him down for a sleep during the day in his cot in his own room, slowly getting him used to being in there and then eventually took him out of our room and he adapted beautifully. I know what you mean though about listening to him...

Even now at 6 years of age, his evening routine is always the same and he knows what he should do when we say, time to get ready for bed. Routine is like a security blanket in my opinion. Babies like what they know.