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Parents on TikTok claim a spoonful of butter is helping their babies sleep longer at night. But experts aren’t convinced.
Fact checked by Sarah ScottKey Takeaways
- Parents on TikTok are giving their babies a spoonful of butter at night and claiming that it’s helping their little one sleep through the night.
- Experts warn against trying the butter trend at home, as it can pose a choking hazard, cause unnecessary weight gain, and is not scientifically proven to actually help babies sleep through the night.
- Instead, parents should establish good sleep habits, such as setting a consistent bedtime routine, ensuring your baby is eating throughout the day, and creating a comfortable sleep environment.
Perhaps there’s nothing a new parent longs for more than a full night’s sleep, which could explain the sudden interest in the TikTok butter trend. According to TikTok, parents should give their baby a spoonful of butter before putting them into their crib, and they will sleep through the night—or so proponents say.
This trend, which first became popular in the U.S., has had mixed results. Some parents report that it’s helping their babies wake less often through the night, while others indicate that their baby’s sleep wasn’t impacted after introducing the butter. They were still up with their little ones throughout the night.
“Honestly, the butter trend is one of those things that might seem to work anecdotally for some families, but there’s no solid science behind it,” says Chacha Miller, MS, RD, LDN, a registered dietitian specializing in maternal and pediatric nutrition. “At best, it might have a neutral or minor effect, and at worst, it could pose some risks. Every baby is different, so it’s hard to predict how any child will react.”
If you’re considering trying the butter trend with your little one, you need to know some important things first. Below, pediatricians and dietitians weigh in on whether this trend works, if it’s safe, and what you can do instead to get your baby to sleep.
Is Butter Truly Helping Babies Sleep?
Butter is a very high-fat, high-calorie food, says Gary Kirkilas, DO, a pediatrician at Phoenix Children’s. In theory, it might satiate a hungry child if the reason for the midnight awakenings is hunger, he says. But hunger is only one of the many reasons babies wake at night. They also could be too hot or cold, overly tired, teething, have a virus, and so much more.
Because fats and proteins take longer to break down, which can help with feeling full, Marina Chaparro, RD, MPH, CDCES, a pediatric nutrition expert and founder of Nutrichicos, says people likely assume that giving babies high-fat foods at night might help them sleep better.
“But the reality is that sleep quality and duration in babies are shaped more by their sleep habits and developmental stages—not by a small boost in calories,” says Chaparro. “This is a classic case of applying adult nutrition myths to babies gone wrong. Babies aren’t mini-adults—their needs are unique, and people should not be following unfounded advice on TikTok. Instead, speak to your pediatrician about it.”
Is a Spoonful at Night Safe?
When giving a baby butter, choking is the primary concern, says Ben Levinson, MD, a pediatrician at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Of course, the baby’s age and type of butter used impact the overall risk of the choking hazard. But, just like peanut butter—which is considered healthy for infants—Dr. Levinson says that cold, firm chunks or thick globs of butter may pose a choking hazard.
Butter can also upset developing digestive systems, possibly causing stomach discomfort or diarrhea, adds Miller. For older babies, who have already started solids, she says having a small amount of butter occasionally is unlikely to cause harm—provided there are no underlying health conditions or allergies.
“However, that doesn’t mean it’s something I would encourage,” she says. “There are far better ways to ensure your baby is getting the necessary fats and calories, and butter shouldn’t be relied on as a consistent or long-term sleep solution.”
How Could a Nightly Dose Impact Them Nutritionally?
Routinely giving butter to an infant may also contribute to excess calorie and saturated fat intake, which could cause unnecessary weight gain over time or increase the likelihood of developing chronic health issues later in life, says Miller. Babies require ample calories and healthy fats for proper growth and brain development, but the focus should be on where those nutrients come from.
“Rather than relying on butter, I recommend incorporating more nutrient-dense fat sources, such as avocados, nut butter for developmentally ready babies, seeds, olive oil, and fatty fish,” she says. “These foods not only supply beneficial fats but also offer essential vitamins and minerals that butter lacks.”
If your child has a milk allergy, Dr. Levinson says they should avoid butter. Additionally, if too much butter is consumed, they may be too full to eat other nutritious foods, he says.
“As a father of four and a pediatrician, I commiserate with frequent midnight awakenings,” adds Dr. Kirkilas. “But even so, I would hesitate to give an infant or a toddler a spoon of straight, cold butter to help with sleep. As pediatricians, we recommend a more balanced approach to nutrition and favor healthy fats like those found in yogurt, whole milk, and avocados. I would worry that giving butter nightly would set up an infant for poor eating habits later in childhood and potentially manifest as obesity as a toddler.”
Do Experts Recommend the Butter Trend?
Most pediatric health experts suggest skipping the butter trend. “Butter belongs on toast—not in chunks for babies,” says Chaparro. “As a pediatric dietitian, I’ve seen many well-meaning parents try different tricks to help their babies sleep, like adding cereal or even ‘malanga’ [a popular Latin American root] to bottles. Spoiler: These tricks don’t work!”
No evidence suggests giving butter to babies helps them sleep better, she says. Offering butter in chunks also can be dangerous, especially if babies aren’t ready for solids. “Let’s stick to safe, evidence-based feeding practices that support your baby’s health and development.”
If you want to feed your baby something before bed, Dr. Levinson says peanut butter is healthy for infants—if provided safely. You can spread it thinly on another food item, mix it with purees, applesauce, or yogurt, or thin it with hot water. However, if it is given as regular peanut butter it is a choking hazard—just like butter.
“I am skeptical babies are sleeping longer from butter, but if they are, I think this more likely reflects providing food right before sleep that will help prevent them from becoming hungry overnight,” he adds. “There’s nothing in butter specifically that should promote better sleep compared to what is found in other foods. Thus, substituting a traditionally healthier high-fat food item, such as peanut butter, avocado, or olive oil, may provide the same benefits.”
"There’s nothing in butter specifically that should promote better sleep compared to what is found in other foods."
Ben Levinson, MD
Other Options for Getting Your Baby To Sleep
While just about anything sounds worth trying when you’re sleep-deprived, most pediatric health experts recommend establishing good sleep habits that support restful nights in the long run. To start, Dr. Kirkilas recommends looking at why your baby may be waking up frequently in the first place.
“During infancy, midnight awakenings are perfectly normal and expected,” he says. “Infants physiologically require more frequent feeds due to small stomachs and lower nutritional storage mechanisms, coupled with the fact they are rapidly growing.”
You also may want to consider their feeding and sleep routine. Some infants and toddlers may be too tired or hungry to fall asleep and stay asleep, he says. Look at their napping and feeding schedule and modify it.
“If a child is at least 4 to 6 months old, parents and caregivers can work on sleep training to help them sleep through the night,” says Dr. Levinson. “Families can find many strategies for this through a child’s pediatrician, and even online. Decide as a family what strategy you want to use and give it a shot.”
You also can implement strategies that promote sleep for you and your baby. For instance, Miller suggests:
- Setting a consistent bedtime routine
- Using baby massage to help relax their nervous system
- Ensuring your baby is eating enough throughout the day
- Helping your baby stay well-rested through frequent naps
- Creating a comfortable sleep environment that accounts for temperature and light disturbance
- Avoiding screens and caffeine once your baby is in their crib
- Giving yourself some grace
“Butter can be part of a baby’s diet in moderation, but there’s no reason to make it a nightly thing just for sleep,” she says. “Sleep deprivation is brutal, and trust me, I’ve been there. One of the best ways to survive those sleepless nights is to prioritize sleep over your to-do list.”
Also, sleeping when you have a baby is never perfect, and that’s OK, she says. “Do what works for your family while keeping safety and nutrition in mind.”
Read the original article on Parents
