This Popular Hack Helps Get Restless Kids Back to Bed

Sleep isn’t easy. After surviving those first sleepless newborn nights and battling sleep regressions, you might think the hard part is over—until your little one starts popping out of bed for water, milk, or a quick check-in. If you’ve tried everything and are still struggling to get your kiddo back to sleep, it might be time to try a creative new hack that’s winning over parents.

In a now-viral video, occupational therapist and mom of two Lauren Cantrell shares her top tricks for getting her little ones back to bed. Her standout method? The wheelbarrow hack.

“This strategy probably has the highest success rate of all my bedtime tricks—and we’ve tried a lot,” Cantrell explains. “Both of my kids can be convinced to transition pretty much anywhere with the promise of a wheelbarrow run.” In the video, Cantrell demonstrates holding her son’s feet in the air as he walks on his hands, “wheelbarrow style,” back to bed. While it may look like simple fun, there’s science behind it.

“They think we’re just having fun together (which is also valuable for connection), but the wheelbarrow is actually a fantastic way to activate the proprioceptive sense,” she explains. “Proprioceptors send signals from muscles and joints to the brain to tell us where our body is in relation to the world. This sensory input helps organize and calm the nervous system.”

Once her kids are back in bed, Cantrell recommends adding a weighted stuffed animal, lap pad or blanket for calming pressure to quell physical and mental stirring. Just remember—weighted sleep products are not recommended or safe for kids under 4.

The last addition to this sweet sleep trifecta—Cantrell recommends the classic story time, whether from you, the parent or from an audiobook. “The audiobook is a great screen time alternative to distract a busy or anxious mind (in addition to reading to your child),” she adds.

Looking for more sleep solutions? Check out these expert tips for sleep training your toddler.