Baby sleep expert's '100-second rule' for getting your baby to nod off

The sleep consultant’s tip, shared on TikTok, has gone viral … and it’s divided parents

One of the biggest parenting challenges is getting your baby to nod off – on their own – when they wake in the night. But one TikToker swears she’s got the solution, and ANYONE can do it.

Baby sleep consultant Lily took to social media to share her 100-second rule. And it’s struck a chord with parents everywhere, with more than 1.5million views and 57,000 likes.

She says: ‘Parents when your baby wakes up and they haven't slept for very long, I want you to do just one thing.

‘I promise this one thing will make a huge difference in them settling back to sleep and learning to fall asleep independently.’

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'They just need time to put themselves back to sleep'

The baby sleep expert adds: ‘All I want you to do is watch the monitor and I want you to count to 100. Don't go in if they're fussing, just watch and respond versus react.

‘It's normal for babies to wake up. They just need time to put themselves back to sleep.

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‘So giving them even just 100 seconds ... can make a huge difference and likely they will put themselves back to sleep. Respond versus react. Know when to intervene versus running to save the day.’

'Worked with all my kids'

Parents flooded Lily's post with comments. One wrote: 'We’re 3wks in and I’ve already learned this! She starts to fuss and I don’t intervene unless she starts crying and she settles back to sleep 9/10.'

And another said: 'The first time we did this with our 8 week old baby she slept almost 7 hours straight!'.

And one mum said: 'This!!!! I don’t necessarily count but I always give her just a moment & 99% of the time she’s back asleep by the time I get to her. Worked w/ all my kids.'

However not everyone was convinced. Another said, 'My 1yr old cries hysterically for hours in the night. does great for naps. I've tried everything I can think of and nothing is helping him.'

Another added, 'If I count till 100 she wakes up totally and don’t have enough time to put her back to sleep.'

'What about sleep regression?'

Meanwhile parents were keen to know if they could use the technique on older children. One said:

'Does this still work with a 2-year-old? My son used to sleep great and for the past couple of months he’s been waking up like a newborn 😭.'

And another asked: 'What about during sleep regressions? My 16 month old has been fighting sleep for bedtime and naps.'

Baby sleep tips

Struggling to get your baby to sleep, or self-settle when they wake up? Head to our Baby Sleep hub for all the advice you need for a good night's sleep.

Plus we've got tips from real parents on how to help your baby sleep, and all you need to know about your baby's sleep cycle.

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