TikTok Hacks That Actually Get Your Children To Sleep, According To A Sleep Expert
Sleep struggles are something most parents have to deal with at some point, with young children often struggling to get settled in the evening, or waking up multiple times during the night. From sleepless nights to the disruption of everyday routines, dealing with sleep challenges is something that can affect the whole family.
A lot of parents will turn to the internet and social media for help, to find out which sleep tips and tricks are most likely to help. Luckily, social media is awash with handy hacks to help parents settle their little ones in the evening, with over 14,000 videos dedicated to ‘toddler sleep’ tips and tricks alone.
To find out which TikTok hacks actually work, the pushchair experts at iCandy, along with sleep consultant Charlotte Hillyard, reviewed some of the most shared sleep hacks on the social media platform, with Charlotte providing expert recommendations for parents struggling with their child’s sleep routine.
The TikTok Sleep Hacks Parents Should Be Trying
The analysis reveals the sleep hacks which are well worth trying, with one of the most popular TikTok sleeping tips being to practice meditation with your child before bed. Many streaming platforms and apps offer sleep-focused stories which can guide young children through meditation-like practices, helping them to wind down after a busy day. Charlotte comments “Meditation is a great tool to help children wind down, and can be easily added to your child’s bedtime routine. Not only does meditation help to induce relaxation, and in turn sleep, but it can also provide a moment of mindfulness, helping children to focus on the present moment, rather than feeling overstimulated by thoughts or emotions, which can be heightened if the bedtime routine has become stressful for the family.”
Other popular sleep tips commonly shared on TikTok which are verified by sleep consultant Charlotte include reducing screen time before bed and reading to your children before getting them to sleep. Charlotte explains “The blue light emitted by screens interferes with the production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep - and this can make it harder for children to feel sleepy at bedtime. Not only this, but the stimulating content from screens, whether it's an exciting show or game, can keep their minds active when they should be winding down. It’s therefore recommended to minimise screen time before bed as much as possible, and instead spend some quality time together reading a story. The screen-free time will allow the child to relax, while the one-on-one time spent together during story time can boost connection, ease feelings of separation anxiety and help them feel more comfortable as they prepare for sleep.”
Other popular TikTok sleeping tips included in the top ten list include incorporating plenty of exercise and exposure to natural sunlight throughout the day, to ensure your little one is ready for bed (and more importantly, sleep), and creating a solid, consistent bedtime routine. Stroking a child’s face between their forehead and nose can also be an effective way to help young babies to relax, by encouraging them to relax and thus reducing cortisol levels, recommends Charlotte.
Top 10 Most Effective TikTok Sleeping Tips, According To Expert
- Playing sleep meditation or soft, calm music
- Sleeping in a dark, cool room
- No screen time before bed
- Exposing your child to natural sunlight throughout the day
- Reading to them before bed
- Incorporating plenty of exercise so they’re tired before bed
- Stroking your child’s face between their forehead and nose
- Giving your child enough one-on-one interaction throughout the day
- Creating a solid, consistent routine
- Shifting bedtimes earlier
The TikTok Sleep Hacks Parents Should Avoid
While lots of the sleeping hacks found on TikTok were given the seal of approval from sleep consultant Charlotte Hillyard, some other sleep tips found on the app should be approached with caution.
Patting, or rocking, young babies to sleep for example, is developmentally normal to help soothe them, however as the child grows and shows signs they are ready for independent sleep, it could lead to possible sleep challenges later on down the line, according to Charlotte. “Patting and rocking can be a great way to get your little ones to fall asleep while they’re very young. Very young babies are calmed by contact with their primary caregivers and the rocking motion (for example) mimics that which they have experienced in the womb. However, as they grow, this can be harder to maintain as the child physically becomes heavier and there is space for potential sleep associations to form, and for this reason could cause further sleep challenges later down the line.”
Other sleep strategies, such as providing your child with tart cherry juice—which some TikTok users claim may stimulate the body's natural production of melatonin, improving their sleep as a result - or giving a child magnesium supplements, should be evaluated on an individual basis. Charlotte advises, “Any supplements that parents wish to introduce to support their child's sleep should first receive approval from a qualified medical professional. This precaution ensures that the child has undertaken a full health review with a Physician who has clinically assessed that this intervention is safe and appropriate for the child's unique health needs.”
Cameron Appel CEO of iCandy, comments:
“With summer drawing to a close and children returning to school and nursery, many parents will be currently trying to get their children back into a consistent bedtime routine. When struggling with our children’s sleep routines, many of us will turn to family, friends or social media for help, seeking tips or tricks to help speed up the process.
It’s been interesting to see which sleep tips are hailed as the most effective, according to real-life TikTok parents and professional sleep experts such as Charlotte (Hillyard). It goes without saying that every child and every family will be different, so the best sleep tips are the ones that work best for you and your family. We hope our analysis might help families searching for a good night’s sleep!”
For more information and helpful sleeping tips, visit https://www.icandyworld.com/blog/how-to-get-your-child-back-on-track-with-their-sleep-routine-after-summer
