Parents Are Using Spoonfuls of Butter to Lull Their Babies to Sleep—But Is It Safe?

Perhaps there’s nothing new parents crave more than a night’s sleep, which might explain the sudden interest in the TikTok butter trend. According to TikTok, parents should give their babies a spoonful of butter before putting them in their cribs, which proponents say will help them sleep through the night.

This trend first took off in the United States, with mixed results. Some parents say butter helps their baby wake up less during the night, while others say introducing butter has no effect on their baby’s sleep. They stayed up all night with their still young children.

“Honestly, the butter trend is one of those things that seems to work anecdotally for some families, but there’s no solid science behind it,” says Chacha Miller, RD, MS, RD, LDN, who specializes in maternal and child nutrition. “At best, it may have no or mild effects, but at worst, it could pose some risks. Every baby is different, so it’s difficult to predict how any child will react.”

If you’re thinking of trying the butter trend with your kids, there are a few important things you need to know first. Below, pediatricians and nutritionists give their opinions on whether this trend works, whether it’s safe, and what you can do instead of putting your baby to sleep.

Does butter really help babies sleep?

Butter is a very high-fat, high-calorie food, says Dr. Gary Karkilas, a pediatrician at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Theoretically, it could feed a hungry child. if Hunger is what wakes you up in the middle of the night, he says. But hunger is just one of the many reasons your baby wakes up at night. It could also be too hot, too cold, overly tired, teething, or infected with a virus.

Because fats and proteins take longer to break down and can help you feel fuller, says CDCES’ Dr. Marina Chaparro, a pediatric nutrition expert and founder of Nutricicos, you’re likely thinking that feeding your baby high-fat foods at night might help them sleep better.

“But the reality is that a baby’s sleep quality and duration are determined by their sleep habits and developmental stage, not by a small increase in calories,” Chaparro says. “This is a classic case of applying adult nutrition myths to babies in the wrong direction. Babies are not little adults. Every baby’s needs are different. People should not follow unfounded advice on TikTok. Instead, talk to your pediatrician about it.”

Is it safe to drink a spoonful at night?

Dr. Ben Levinson, a primary care pediatrician at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, says the biggest concern when giving baby butter is choking. Of course, the age of your baby and the type of butter you use will affect the overall risk of choking hazard. But like peanut butter, which is considered healthy for infants, cold, hard or thick chunks of butter can pose a choking hazard, Levinson said.

Butter can also disrupt the developing digestive system, leading to stomach discomfort and diarrhea, Miller added. For older babies who have already started eating solid foods, she says, unless they have an underlying health condition or allergy, a small amount of butter from time to time is unlikely to harm them.

“But that doesn’t mean I encourage it,” she says. “While there are better ways to ensure your baby gets the fat and calories they need, you shouldn’t rely on butter as a consistent or long-term sleep solution.”

How does nightly intake affect nutrition?

Feeding infants butter on a regular basis can also contribute to excess calorie and saturated fat intake, which can cause unnecessary weight gain over time and increase the likelihood of developing chronic health problems later in life, Miller says. Babies need enough calories and healthy fats for proper growth and brain development, but you need to focus on where those nutrients come from.

“Instead of relying on butter, we recommend incorporating more nutritious fat sources such as avocado, nut butters for babies who are developmentally ready, seeds, olive oil, and fatty fish,” she says. “Not only do these foods provide beneficial fats, but they also provide essential vitamins and minerals that are lacking in butter.”

Levison argues that if your child has a cow’s milk allergy, butter should be avoided. Plus, he says, consuming too much butter can leave you too full to eat other nutritious foods.

“As a father of four and a pediatrician, I regret frequently waking up in the middle of the night,” added Karkiras. “Still, we’re hesitant to give infants and toddlers spoonfuls of cold butter to help them sleep. As pediatricians, we recommend a more balanced approach to nutrition, favoring healthy fats like those found in yogurt, whole milk, and avocado. We worry that giving butter nightly could create bad eating habits later in infancy, which could manifest as obesity in early childhood.”

Do experts recommend the butter trend?

Most pediatric health experts suggest skipping the butter trend. “Butter is meant to be put on toast, not eaten in chunks for your baby,” says Chaparro. “As a pediatric nutritionist, I’ve seen many well-meaning parents try various tricks to get their baby to sleep, such as adding cereal or ‘malanga’ (a root popular in Latin America) to the bottle. Spoiler: These tricks don’t work. ”

She says there’s no evidence that giving butter to babies will help them sleep better. Giving your baby butter in chunks can also be dangerous, especially if your baby isn’t ready to eat solid foods. “Follow safe, evidence-based breastfeeding practices that support your baby’s health and development.”

If you want to feed your baby something before bed, Levinson says peanut butter is healthy for infants if given safely. You can also enjoy it by spreading it thinly on other foods, mixing it with purees, applesauce, or yogurt, or diluting it with hot water. However, if given as regular peanut butter, it poses a choking hazard, just like butter.

“I’m skeptical that babies slept longer after eating butter, but if so, I think this probably reflects giving them food right before bed to prevent them from getting hungry during the night,” he added. “There’s nothing in butter that specifically promotes improved sleep compared to ingredients found in other foods, so using it in place of traditionally healthy high-fat foods like peanut butter, avocado, and olive oil may have the same effect.”

Other options for putting your baby to sleep

While it may seem like anything is worth trying when you’re sleep deprived, most pediatric health professionals recommend establishing good sleep habits that support restful nights in the long run. Kirkilas recommends first considering why your baby wakes up so often.

“During infancy, waking up in the middle of the night is completely normal and expected,” he says. “Physiologically, infants have smaller stomachs, lower nutrient storage mechanisms, are growing more rapidly, and therefore require more frequent feedings.”

You may also need to consider your eating and sleeping habits. Some infants and toddlers are too tired or hungry to fall asleep or stay asleep, she said. Review and revise your nap and meal schedules.

“Once a child is at least 4 to 6 months old, parents or guardians can begin sleep training to help them sleep through the night,” Levinson says. “Families can find a variety of strategies for this through their pediatrician and online. Decide together as a family which strategies to use and try them out.”

You can also implement strategies to promote sleep for you and your baby. For example, Miller suggests:

• Set a consistent bedtime routine
• Use baby massage to relax the nervous system
• Make sure your baby eats enough throughout the day
• Make sure your baby gets enough rest by taking frequent naps
• Creating a comfortable sleeping environment that takes into account temperature and light disturbances
• Avoid screens and caffeine once your baby is in the crib
• give yourself grace

“While butter can be included in your baby’s diet in moderation, there’s no reason to consume butter every night just to help them sleep,” she says. “Sleep deprivation is terrible. Trust me, I’ve experienced it myself. One of the best ways to get through sleepless nights is to prioritize sleep over your to-do list.”

She also says that sleep is never perfect when you have a baby, but that’s okay. “Do what you can for your family, keeping safety and nutrition in mind.”