DIY Sleep Balm- Safe For Babies
DIY sleep balm with tallow, shea or mango butter, arnica, beeswax, and a touch of magnesium and lavender is gentle, soothing, and a great addition to your bedtime routine.
I use this for my toddlers and young children who get growing pains at night. I’ve had several children who wake at night crying with pains in their legs. In the past, I have had them take magnesium, and I rub the child’s legs with Arnica oil. This balm combines those into one step!
I have also used this balm on my husband’s sore back when he pulled a muscle. He found it really helped!
This post contains affiliate links for all of the ingredients listed.
The key for babies is:
- very low magnesium
- very low lavender
- high fat content to buffer everything
This is intended for babies 3+ months. For younger infants, omit lavender and magnesium and use as a plain calming balm.
DIY Baby Sleep Balm (5 oz / 153 g batch)
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Weight (g) | Weight (oz) | Why it’s here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass-fed tallow | 50g | 1.7oz | Skin barrier support, ultra-gentle base |
| Shea butter or Mango butter | 34 g | 1 oz | Softness, calming to skin |
| Arnica Oil | 34 g | 1 oz | Relaxing, soothing, promotes calm muscles |
| Beeswax | 26 g | .9 oz | Firm balm texture, protective layer |
| Magnesium oil | 9 g | .3oz | Relaxation support (very diluted) |
| Lavender essential oil | 9 drops | — | Sleep cue, calming aroma |
Total: 153g / ~5 oz
***Because of the water base of magnesium oil, I have decided to add 45 drops of Optiphen preservative to this recipe. You add that when the oils have cooled to around 104 degrees F
Why this amount of magnesium?
Magnesium oil is water-based and can tingle or burn a bit
This formula keeps it under 5% and heavily diluted in fats so it’s non-irritating for baby skin.
Why Does this Balm Need a Preservative?
I don’t like using preservatives in my balms unless I believe it to be 100% necessary. In this case, it is. Magnesium Oil is actually water-based. Any time you use something containing water in a balm or lotion, you really should use a preservative to keep it from growing mold or other bacteria. This prevents you from wasting all of your high-quality ingredients!
Instructions
- In a double boiler, melt:
- Remove from heat
- Stir in:
- magnesium oil (whisk well to disperse)
- arnica oil
- lavender essential oil
- Add the optiphen preservative when it has cooled to around 104 degrees F
- Pour into a small tin or jar.
- Let cool at room temperature.
How to Use (important)
Rub a small amount between your fingers and apply to:
- bottoms of feet
- calves
- chest (lightly)
- back
Avoid the baby’s hands and face.
Use after bath or before bed.
Texture
A soft, buttery balm that melts instantly into skin without feeling greasy.
For newborn / ultra-sensitive version
Omit:
- magnesium oil
- lavender
This becomes a simple, deeply nourishing, calming balm.
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