Routines and Sleeping

[mrsr]

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.

[Smoke Jaguar]

I don't know about that as a blanket rule, mrsr My DS doesn't seem to have much respect for routines and he's a pretty happy child! Each child is different, though, and that's why we need to tune in to them.
As for bathing every day - they don't need it, but I also don't think it's bad for their skin, depending on what you're putting into the bath. You shouldn't need to use an additional moisturiser unless there is a dry skin condition that's unrelated to the bath product you use. I'd stay away from supermarket brand baby washes and you can just use a vegetable oil in the bath. A jojoba or calendula oil is excellent, as it leaves a soft film on their skin and they feel so nice to touch after a bath! There is also the Gaia Baby bath and body wash that is organic and contains lavender and chamomile - doesn't strip the skin at all, and the essential oils calm baby in mind and on skin.
So, yes, there are babies who crave routine (according to a time schedule) and there are babies that don't - they just need cues and patterns, some don't even need those to be regular. There is no prescription, so play around and find what works.