Raise your hand if you and your kids get enough sleep. No one?
Sleep is definitely lacking in my house. I have two with a delayed sleep cycle, one of which has autism. My fellow autism moms know that autism means never sleeping.
Thankfully, he's 13 now and doesn't wake me up every night. But I was pretty much a walking zombie the first 10 years of his life.
I am not exaggerating when I say that he didn't sleep more than 90 minutes at a time the first four and a half years of his life.
He was born and didn't so much as close his eyes let alone sleep for two days. My oldest slept constantly, so I was not prepared for this child who could exist on mere minutes of sleep at a time.
Even now, he's been known to be awake more than 35 hours at a time. We've seen doctors and sleep psychologists (yes, that's a thing!) to no avail. Other than giving him prescription medications, he can't sleep.
I'm sure this trait will come in handy during college, but until then, this momma is tired and worried.
Earlier this week, I posted a magnesium oil spray for sleep with kid safe essential oils. This relaxing bath salts recipe is similar with magnesium flakes, but it's made for the bath. Both have the same relaxing essential oils and magnesium to promote better sleep.
Relaxing Bath Salts Recipe
These bath salts for sleep are so easy to make with just two ingredients, a carrier oil, and the essential oils. If you like the essential oils, you can make a master blend to make this even easier to make.
This makes one bath's worth. If your kids are under 10, you can use half of this recipe per bath. Feel free to double or triple the recipe when you make it and then use 1 1/2 cups of bath salts for sleep per bath.
I usually use the magnesium oil spray for sleep because it's just easier. You need to let that sit for 30 minutes before rinsing it or wiping it off.
I made this relaxing bath salts recipe for bath night. We don't get home from martial arts until about 9:30 and they need a bath anyway. These are perfect for those nights.
The magnesium oil spray can tingle and it feels slightly oily. My son has sensory issues, and he does not like the oily feel. He is getting better, but this is another alternative if you want to boost magnesium and promote sleep with essential oils.
Magnesium Flakes
Instead of Epsom salts, I used magnesium flakes
Epsom salts are made of magnesium and sulfate. The flakes are made with magnesium and chloride. The sulfate can irritate the skin, especially for little ones. Magnesium flakes are gentler on the skin, so I chose them for these bath salts for sleep.
I also used magnesium flakes in this pumpkin spice chai tea bath salt recipe.
Sea Salt
I also added some sea salt
Grapeseed Oil
When you use an essential oil, you have to dilute it with a carrier oil. Since the essential oils and water don't mix, there could be spots with a higher concentration of essential oils on top of the water when you add this relaxing bath salts recipe to the water.
These can cause skin irritation, rash, or sensitization. Once you experience sensitization to an oil, you'll likely always have a reaction to that oil.
I used grapeseed oil in these bath salts for sleep because it's inexpensive and a lighter oil. It soaks into the skin quickly, and it won't leave your skin feeling greasy.
You can also use another carrier oil. Learn more about more than 40 carrier oils in my book Carrier Oils.
Essential Oils
I wanted this relaxing bath salts recipe to have kid safe oils so I can use it and so can my kids. I used a blend of:
- Cedarwood essential oil
- German chamomile essential oil
- Lavender essential oil
- Vetiver essential oil
- Blue tansy essential oil
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Ingredients
- 1 cup magnesium flakes
- 1/2 cup sea salt
- 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil
- 2 drops cedarwood essential oil
- 2 drops German chamomile essential oil
- 2 drops lavender essential oil
- 1 drop vetiver essential oil
- 1 drop blue tansy essential oil
- Soap colorant
(optional)
Supplies
- Small bowl
- Medium sized bowl
- Jar with lid
- Spoon
Directions
Step #1
Step #2
Step #3

Relaxing Bath Salts Recipe
materials:
- 1 cup magnesium flakes
- 1/2 cup sea salt
- 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil
- 2 drops cedarwood essential oil
- 2 drops German chamomile essential oil
- 2 drops lavender essential oil
- 1 drop vetiver essential oil
- 1 drop blue tansy essential oil
- Soap colorant (optional)
tools:
- Small bowl
- Medium sized bowl
- Jar with lid
- Spoon
steps:
- Combine the magnesium flakes and sea salt in the medium sized bowl.
- Combine the essential oils and grapeseed oil in a small bowl. Pour into the bath salts for sleep. Add colorant if desired. Stir well.
- Spoon the relaxing bath salts recipe into a container.
- To use, add the full recipe to running bath water.