A recent trend on social media has seen parents offering their babies spoonfuls of butter before bedtime – believing it promotes better sleep
Influencers are sharing videos online, with clips amassing millions of views and some claiming their babies sleep through the entire night after being given half a tablespoon of butter before bed.
However, child nutritionists and sleep experts are raising concerns about this new method.
Charlotte Stirling-Reed, a baby nutritionist, said there is “absolutely no” evidence supporting the idea that butter helps with infant sleep.
She pointed out that butter’s high salt and saturated fat content make it unsuitable for babies and said there is a potential choking hazard due to its slippery texture.
Stirling-Reed advised that while incorporating butter into cooking or spreading a thin layer on toast is acceptable, offering large chunks directly from a spoon is not advisable.
The NHS recommends introducing solid foods to babies around six months of age but warned that starting solids does not necessarily lead to improved sleep patterns.
Daisy Ferns, founder of the Parenting Experts Academy, warned against relying on quick fixes promoted on social media.
She said that there is no scientific evidence to support the notion that butter before bed enhances sleep.
Ferns added that butter’s high saturated fat content could make the digestive system work harder overnight, potentially disrupting sleep rather than improving it.
Experts agree that most childhood sleep challenges stem from behavioural, developmental, or routine-related factors rather than dietary.
They recommend that parents focus on establishing consistent bedtime routines and ensuring their children are given adequate nutrition throughout the day.
As easy as it is to be sucked into trends online, remember not to rely on unverified social media trends as they could pose health risks to little ones.
