Sleep consultant mom swears by a simple bedtime snack that prevents overnight wake-ups

Toddlers are difficult, and it’s not even their fault. This phase of childhood is largely influenced by key developmental milestones, laying the foundation for learning, behavior, and health, per Penn State Extension. As a result, toddlers waking up at night is more rampant than expected. Environmental factors and sleep regressions are also worth considering. Noting the widespread sleep issues, a sleep consultant and mom, Lauri (@goodnight.sweethardt), did not gatekeep a genius solution. She revealed a simple bedtime snack that she swears by to help her toddler’s overnight wakeups. 

Getting to work right away, Lauri disclosed the recipe for the snack that consisted of all healthy ingredients like oats, chia seeds, and almond meal. She poured the ingredients into a bowl and also added some crushed cookies just because her son loved anything that had cookies in it. “The cookies are optional. You do not have to put them. I just know that my toddler will eat them for sure if there are cookie remnants in it,” the expert said. For the final ingredient, Lauri recommended putting any type of nut butter into the mix to boost the protein content. She had planned on kneading the mix into a dough for healthy cookies that are best eaten as a bedtime ritual, for the toddlers to get through the night. 

Speaking of the common problem of toddlers waking up in the middle of the night hungry, Lauri hinted that it’s because the babies probably are. “During toddlerhood, it’s such a time of rapid growth and development that they may genuinely need those calories overnight,” the mom explained. Therefore, the bedtime snack will feed them with high protein and prevent any hunger pangs during the night. Mixing up all the ingredients, the mom rolled it into little balls, ready to be baked as cookies, and let it rest in the fridge for about half an hour. “I promise you, this will help your child sleep better,” Lauri claimed. 

The post with 15,000 hearts resonated with other moms on the internet. @cait0817 shared, “I needed to see this today. My 3-year-old woke at 4 am this morning, saying she was hungry.” “Need to try this! I have two toddlers constantly waking throughout the night,” said @joellapryor. However, a fair share of viewers debated the sleep consultant’s claims about protein and her use of unsoaked chia seeds. A mom, @carliieevee, wrote, “It’s actually quite dangerous to eat chia seeds dry, they need to be soaked first or can cause bloating! I love the recipe, though.” Similarly, another (@leithel91) pointed out, “Being so dry, I highly recommend adding something a little wet, even a tad of water, so the seeds absorb a little. Just brings out the finer.” 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, good and efficient nutrition during the early years of life is crucial for healthy growth and development. The establishment of eating and nutritional habits begins in toddlerhood. Fresh foods and minimally processed foods should be the priority while parents and caregivers ensure they model healthy food choices and diets, per PubMed. 

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