DIY Bath bombs with lavender essential oil

I decided to try and make DIY bath bombs for my oldest son, Mbusi, to help him sleep better at night. But chances are I will use them myself since we have a newborn in the house. (Check out my waterbirth story here.) Mbusi is in bed and tucked in by 8pm, but even though the door is closed, we would sometimes walk past at 9pm and hear him chatting away to himself.

So I knew we need to implement a better nighttime routine to ensure that he’s sleepy and ready for bed well before we close the door. He’s also starting a new school next year, which means waking up much earlier. Therefore now is as good a time as any to get his body used to an earlier bedtime and wakeup time. Here’s how I made DIY bath bombs with some lavender essential oil to help him sleep.

Why use essential oils?

Lavender has various uses like treating anxiety, fungal infections, hair loss, and wounds. I am using it in our DIY bath bombs since it has been proven to increase sleepiness and drowsiness, helps to slow your heart rate, lower your blood pressure and promote calming which helps with insomnia and restlessness. Along with epsom salt which when absorbed through the skin, such as in a bath, draws toxins from the body and relaxes muscles, we’re bound to have peaceful sleep.

It is important to research the brand of essential oil before you buy it, to make sure you’re getting a premium product that will do what it’s supposed to. I was excited to try Young Living‘s essential oils as they are extracted through careful steam distillation and cold pressing to ensure 100% purity. Different oils do different things, from improving your emotional state, helping with focus and concentration and boosting physical wellness, to spiritual awareness and refining your beauty routine.

Ingredients to make bath bombs:

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup citric acid
• 1/2 cup epsom salt
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• Colouring gel or pigment (optional)
• Magic grow capsules (optional)
• 2 1/2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
• 3/4 witch hazel 
• 12-15 drops essential oil
• Bath bomb molds or ice cube trays

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix together all of the dry ingredients and whisk to combine.
2. Add the coconut oil to the dry mixture and stir. You want a crumbly but firm consistency, one you can mold. Spray in witch hazel to help stick it together. (I prefer to spray it in as pouring it in could cause it to fizz, which ruins everything)
3. In separate bowls, add your different colourings.
4. Add the mixture halfway, then add in your creatures. Fill it up to the brim and pack in it with a teaspoon.
5. Allow it to dry for 24 hours before enjoying it in your bath.

So far it’s helped with his sleep, giving us ample bonding time during his bath and some added fun when he sees a new dinosaur appear with every bath bomb. We haven’t heard him when walking past anymore so I’d say the DIY bath bombs have been a success! Let me know if you try them and how it goes for you.