Parents will try just about anything to get their baby to sleep through the night. From white noise machines to gentle rocking, every family finds their own routine—but sometimes, viral parenting hacks promise a quick fix. The latest? Feeding babies a spoonful of butter before bed.
Yes, you read that right. Some parents on TikTok swear by the practice, claiming that a small scoop of butter helps their little one stay asleep for longer stretches. But before you reach for the butter dish, experts are sounding the alarm. Not only is there no scientific evidence that butter promotes sleep, but there are also potential health risks to consider.
So, where did this trend come from? And what actually helps babies sleep? Let’s dive in.
Where did this butter sleep trend come from?
Like many modern parenting trends, this one started on TikTok, where exhausted moms are willing to try just about anything for a good night’s sleep. The so-called butter sleep hack reportedly began with U.S. parents before making its way to the UK and New Zealand.
One TikTok mom, @millieellis, documented her experience trying the trend with her baby, Ivy. On the first night, she gave her daughter a spoonful of butter before bed and claimed Ivy slept all night—except for one feed and a brief wake-up due to noisy neighbors. Encouraged by the results, she tried it again. On night two, Ivy woke up fewer times, but Millie admitted she wasn’t sure if it was the butter or simply the fact that her baby was overtired from a busy day.
Another mom, Paige Balloch from New Zealand, decided to test the hack with her 15-month-old, who had never slept through the night. “What do I have to lose?” she asked in her TikTok video. Unfortunately, the answer was not much sleep—her toddler woke up three times within an hour of bedtime.
Despite mixed results, the trend continues to gain traction, leaving many parents wondering: Could butter actually help babies sleep, or is this just another social media myth?
Does butter actually help babies sleep? The science behind baby sleep cycles
At first glance, the idea that butter could help babies sleep might seem reasonable. Fat-rich foods can be filling, and some adults even swear by warm milk or high-fat snacks before bed to help them feel drowsy. But when it comes to babies, there’s no scientific evidence that butter has any impact on sleep quality.
Sleep in infants is primarily regulated by circadian rhythms, melatonin production, and natural developmental milestones—not dietary fat. Here’s what science tells us about how babies sleep:
- Newborns don’t produce melatonin right away – According to research, this sleep-regulating hormone starts developing around 2-3 months, which is why newborns wake frequently.
- Sleep patterns shift as babies grow – Waking up during the night is developmentally normal, especially during growth spurts and teething.
- Some nutrients support sleep—but butter isn’t one of them – Foods rich in tryptophan (like dairy, turkey, and eggs) help produce melatonin, but butter itself lacks significant sleep-inducing properties.
While some babies may happen to sleep longer after eating butter, correlation does not equal causation. Factors like daily activity levels, feeding schedules, and overall sleep hygiene play a much bigger role in how well a baby sleeps.
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How parents are responding to the butter sleep trend
Parents are both curious and cautious about the butter sleep hack. Some are asking for more details before trying it out:
- melissa__kh: How old is ur baby? And at what age can we give baby butter?
Others are skeptical, especially about the quality and safety of the butter being used:
- sharon: have you read ingredients on them tubs…yuk
- Kerry Kerr471: thats not butter you need real butter lurpac is an oil based spread in
- nicola: that cant be good for them
Despite the concerns, some parents are still willing to give it a try, eager to see if it works:
- Abbey 🍓: Let us know chick I’ll try it with my little girl 💜
- Sandra Evans: Good luck ❤️
Why experts warn against this trend
While some parents are eager to try the butter sleep hack out of desperation, experts strongly advise against it—and for good reason. There are a few key concerns when it comes to giving babies a spoonful of butter before bed.
1. Nutritional concerns
Butter is high in saturated fat and salt, neither of which are necessary in large amounts for babies. In fact, excessive saturated fat isn’t recommended for infants, as their primary source of fat and nutrients should come from breast milk, formula, or balanced solid foods as they start eating solids.
Charlotte Stirling-Reed, a leading baby nutritionist, told The Independent that social media is “rife with misinformation”, and while butter in small amounts is fine in cooking or on toast, giving babies spoonfuls of it isn’t recommended.
2. Choking risk
A spoonful of butter has a slippery texture, which could pose a choking hazard—especially for younger babies who are still developing their oral motor skills. Unlike spreadable butter on toast, a large chunk can be difficult for babies to swallow safely.
3. False hope for parents
Perhaps the biggest issue with the butter sleep hack is that it sets unrealistic expectations for tired parents. Baby sleep is complex, and no single food or “hack” can make a baby sleep through the night. Night wakings are normal and often linked to hunger, developmental leaps, teething, or separation anxiety—not a lack of butter in their diet.
Instead of reaching for unproven TikTok trends, experts recommend focusing on evidence-based sleep strategies that support healthy sleep habits.
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What actually helps babies sleep? Expert-backed sleep strategies
Instead of turning to viral trends like the butter sleep hack, parents can focus on evidence-based sleep strategies that are proven to support healthy sleep habits. Here’s what experts recommend:
1. Establish a consistent bedtime routine
Babies thrive on routine, and a predictable wind-down process helps signal that it’s time for sleep. Try a calming bedtime sequence that includes:
- A warm bath
- Gentle baby massage
- Quiet cuddle time
- Reading a short book or singing a lullaby
This triggers melatonin production and helps babies associate these cues with sleep.
2. Optimize the sleep environment
A dark, quiet, and cool room promotes better sleep. White noise machines can also be helpful for blocking out disruptive sounds, like noisy neighbors or older siblings.
3. Encourage full feedings during the day
If hunger is waking your baby at night, ensuring full feedings during the day (instead of small, snack-like feeds) can help. For older babies, incorporating nutrient-rich foods like bananas, yogurt, and oatmeal at dinner can help them feel satisfied before bed.
4. Be patient with normal sleep development
It’s completely normal for babies to wake during the night—especially in the first year. Sleep regressions, growth spurts, and teething can all lead to temporary disruptions. Instead of looking for quick fixes, understanding that sleep is a developmental process can help ease frustration.
The bottom line
Parents will try almost anything for better baby sleep, but the butter sleep hack isn’t the answer. Not only is there no scientific evidence behind it, but experts warn it could pose choking and nutritional risks.
Instead of quick fixes, focus on expert-backed sleep strategies—a calming bedtime routine, a sleep-friendly environment, and full feedings during the day. Sleep takes time to develop, and no single food can change that.
When it comes to baby sleep, science—not social media—offers the best solutions.
Sources:
- Melatonin in babies. Endocrine Society. 1992. Development of melatonin production in infants and the impact of prematurity