Bedtime snacks

🍌Bedtime snacks🍌

My boys have dinner around 5pm and then a ‘supper’ around 6pm. It works well for us and may work for you too!

Bedtime snacks can be beneficial for sleep—but it depends on what the snack is, when it’s eaten, and who is eating it.

✅ When bedtime snacks can help:

* Preventing hunger: For toddlers or children going through growth spurts, a small, healthy snack before bed can prevent overnight wake-ups due to hunger.

* Promoting sleep-friendly nutrients: Some foods contain nutrients that help promote the production of melatonin and serotonin—natural chemicals that support sleep.

🍌 Best sleep-friendly bedtime snacks (for toddlers and older children)
These combine complex carbs + a little protein or tryptophan-rich foods:
* A small banana with nut butter
* Whole grain toast with avocado
* Porridge with milk
* Greek yogurt with berries
* Warm milk (classic for a reason!)

🚫 Avoid These Before Bed
* Sugary snacks (cookies, juice, sweets) – spike blood sugar, disrupt sleep
* Caffeine (even hidden in chocolate)
* Heavy, spicy, or greasy foods – can cause discomfort or indigestion

🍼 For Babies (<12 months)
* Generally, babies under 12 months don’t need bedtime snacks outside of their regular milk/formula feeds. For babies older than 6 months, a well-timed dinner with solids (if they’re eating solids) is usually enough.

Do you find a bedtime snack helps your little one sleep better?