Butter before bed: Does this viral hack actually help babies sleep through night?

Is this just another social media trend to get toddlers sleeping through the night or does this theory actually work? Let's see what research and dietary professionals have to say.

Does eating butter before bed really help babies sleep?

Eating foods that are high in fat and protein, like butter, are digested slowly by the stomach. They are then gradually absorbed into the bloodstream overnight which helps to stabilise blood sugar levels. From this, claims have been made that the stabilising of blood sugar levels by the butter can help with deep sleep.

Medical professionals warn against this practice emphasising that there is no scientific evidence supporting the idea that butter improves sleep in infants and young children.

We asked baby & child nutrition expert and author, Charlotte Stirling-Reed to share her thoughts on the matter:

There is no scientific evidence that a large chunk of butter before bed will help a baby sleep at night. There are so many factors that influence a baby’s sleep and although diet and nutrition can be a part of that, it’s not the only factor and I wouldn’t recommend this as a method to help babies sleep.

"Butter is fine to give to babies in moderation. However it’s high in saturated fat and salt, so it should ideally be offered in small amounts. It’s also best to offer unsalted butter for babies and toddlers too," Charlotte explains.

Additionally, introducing butter to a baby's diet can present health risks such as potential digestive issues and the risk of choking, depending on the child's age. It's not recommended to try this trend with babies under 6 months old.

Is butter safe for babies?

"It’s absolutely fine to offer teaspoons of (ideally unsalted) butter added into nutrient-rich dishes or used in cooking or as a spread, but it’s not ideal to offer babies large chunks of butter off of a spoon. It’s unnecessary & there are more nutrient-rich snacks babies could have," advises baby and child nutritionist, Charlotte.

There could be other reasons why your baby might be having trouble sleeping at night such as developmental phases, not having a bedtime routine, being hungry, not having proper naps during the day and more.

Instead, there are safe, tried and tested methods for promoting infant sleep that we advise over unverified social media trends.

Here are a few things you can try:

• Establish a consistent, sleep routine with your baby
• Keep your child's room dark and quiet
• Make sure they're not too cold or too hot
• For toddlers, giving them a comforting toy or blanket to bed

Pic: Getty

Read more:

• Can eating a banana at bedtime help a toddler sleep through the night? We tested it
• Ferber Method: Guide to effective sleep training for babies
• How to get your toddler to sleep in their own bed