1242 Cozy Critters at Bedtime: Parent-Reported Impact of a Storytelling Podcast on Child Sleep and Caregiver Rest

Abstract Introduction Bedtime routines are essential for pediatric sleep health, supporting sleep onset and reducing nighttime awakenings. Calming audio-based interventions have demonstrated benefits for subjective sleep quality and bedtime cooperation. Unlike screen-based media, podcasts are non-visual and therefore minimize cognitive arousal while maintaining engagement. This makes podcasts a novel, low-cost, and scalable tool for reinforcing healthy sleep hygiene; however, data evaluating their use in pediatric sleep routines remain limited Methods In collaboration with the creator of the Cozy Critters podcast, the authors developed a brief, cross-sectional, parent-reported online survey distributed to podcast subscribers. Child demographics, podcast listening frequency, context of use, and perceived changes in sleep outcomes were assesed including sleep onset latency, nighttime awakenings, and morning alertness. Caregivers also reported their own sleep duration and perceived sleep quality on nights when the podcast was used. Open-ended responses captured qualitative feedback regarding user experience. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize categorical and continuous variables, and frequency counts were generated for multi-select response. Results A total of 112 responses were included. Most children were 5–7 years of age and listened to the podcast 5–7 nights per week, most often after lights-out using smart speakers or Yoto devices. The most commonly reported perceived benefit was faster sleep onset, followed by fewer nighttime awakenings and improved morning alertness. Overall helpfulness ratings were high, with most respondents rating the podcast as “very” or “extremely” helpful. Caregivers reported sleeping approximately 7–8 hours per night with generally good sleep quality on nights the podcast was used. Qualitative responses emphasized the calming narrator voice, predictable structure, and educational animal-themed content. Parents highlighted that the podcast was easy to integrate into bedtime routines, reduced bedtime-related stress, and functioned as a reliable tool to reinforce healthy sleep behaviors Conclusion Parents perceive podcast-based storytelling as a helpful adjunct to bedtime routines, associated with improved child sleep onset and continuity, and better caregiver rest. This screen-free intervention aligns with evidence supporting structured bedtime routines and calming auditory input and may represent an accessible resource for promoting pediatric sleep hygiene. Future studies should include objective sleep measures and evaluate its role alongside established behavioral sleep interventions Support (if any)