Bedtime can be a battle when you have little ones. I’m in the thick of it right now with a three-year-old and a nine-month-old. TikTok has been an invaluable resource for parenting tips and tricks. Unsurprisingly, parents have shared their hacks for getting their kids off to sleep each night. If you’re struggling at bedtime with your children, try these eight TikTok methods to help them go to sleep faster.
1. The Tissue Trick
The tissue trick refers to gently stroking your child’s face with a tissue. Some parents on TikTok swear by this method. The light touch of the tissue allegedly calms the kids down quickly by creating a soothing sensation. You can gently run the tissue over the child’s forehead, nose, and cheeks in repetitive motions. Parents have claimed that their children will go to sleep within minutes using the tissue trick. If you’re struggling with sleep, it’s worth a try.
2. White Noise Magic
Everyone in my house has their own white noise machine of some sort. We swear by them. In our room, we use the television for white noise with a black background. My daughter has a nightlight that plays white noise and casts stars on the ceiling and my son has a small night light that also puts out white noise. Parents have tapped into this to create a calm sleep environment for their children and I can say this works! You might have to fuss around with different settings to find the noise that suits you and your child best, but it can be a game-changer.
3. The TikTok “4-7-8” Breathing Technique
Breathing techniques can help you and your little ones fall asleep faster. The 4-7-8 technique is where you breathe in for four seconds, hold that breath for seven seconds, and release for eight seconds. This helps you slow your heart rate down, which calms the nervous system. Try introducing this breathing technique into your child’s bedtime routine. It can be a fun way to help them wind down.
4. The Weighted Blanket Hug
TikTok influencers and the internet in general have been boasting the benefits of weighted blankets for a while now. These heavy blankets provide gentle pressure while you are sleeping that can mimic a hug. For children, this can help them feel more secure at night and reduce their anxiety. It is suggested that the weighted blanket be about 10% of your child’s body weight and it should be introduced slowly if they are new to it.
5. The “Stuffed Animal Swap”
Parents have sworn by this hack on TikTok. Each night, parents let their children “swap” stuffed animals. This gives your child the feeling that they have control over something in their bedtime routine and it can also help distract them from not wanting to go to sleep. Try to keep a small collection of stuffed animals for them to rotate. It will make bedtime more fun for everyone.
6. The “Dream Pillow” Spray
Sleep sprays can be great! They are packed with calming essential oils, like lavender or chamomile. You just spritz them on your child’s pillows or blankets. The scents can help create a more soothing environment, which can help improve your daily bedtime routine. To put a fun spin on things, you can even call it “dream pillow spray.” However, it’s important to be sure your child isn’t allergic to any of these scents. So, be sure to test it out before you spray it on everything.
7. The “Monster-Free” Room Tour
Some kids are afraid of the dark and their imaginations run wild. Monsters could be lurking at every corner. On TikTok, many parents do a “monster check” with their child before bedtime. They check under the bed, in the closet, and anywhere else the child might feel unsafe about. Some parents even “banish” the monsters using a made-up magic phrase. This can help calm your child’s fears and get them settled into bed more easily.
8. The “Bedtime Box” Reward System
A “bedtime box” can be a great way to make your nighttime routine fun. Parents on TikTok fill these boxes up with rewards for kids when they go to bed without any extra fuss. This makes bedtime something fun to look forward to, rather than a dreaded occurrence. Over time, the promise of the “bedtime box” can help smooth out your nightly routine.
Sleep Made Simple with TikTok Hacks
Bedtime can feel like a never-ending challenge when you have little ones. Some of these hacks can be a game-changer. So, if you’re having trouble getting your child to go to bed, try some of these methods. Whether your child enjoys white noise or bedtime fun, you’ll find something that makes your nightly routine easier. Once you find something that works, stick with it! Consistency is key for an easy transition into bedtime.