Should you use a night light in a baby's room?

Parents often wonder about incorporating night lights into their child's room. They wonder when and how to use a night light. The truth is that light and darkness play a very important role in a baby's sleep. Let's talk about it.

Using a night light in a child's room

Babies actually sleep better when the room is really dark . I know some families worry that their baby is afraid of the dark, but I want to reassure you: these fears don't usually develop until the baby is two years old or older. Nightlights in the baby's room are not necessary for sleep.

However, it's sometimes helpful to install a night light in your baby's room or the room you share with them. Night lights can be a great tool for nighttime feedings, diaper changes, or other nighttime activities.

If you choose to use a night light, choose one that has a very low setting and allows you to change the color of the light.

When should I introduce a night light to my baby?

There's no need to introduce a night light into your baby or toddler's room until they ask for it. Generally, I like to wait until age 2 before using a night light for sleep , if it's necessary at all.

But if your toddler or preschooler tells you they're afraid of the dark, it's time to introduce a night light. When introducing a night light, use the dimmest setting possible, with the option to choose a red light .

What is the best night light for children?

My favorites are those that allow you to vary the light intensity and choose the color of the light, I invite you to visit our collection of night lights , you will have a wide range of night lights for children. But it is not necessary to be sophisticated. Just replace a light bulb in the room with a red bulb and use it for times when you need a little light in the room.

What is the best night light color for babies?

I recommend the color red. Red lights have been shown to be less disruptive to sleep.

Should newborns sleep with the light on?

I get asked this question all the time. Here's what I think: Before 10 weeks, you probably noticed that your newborn was falling asleep without any problem in the living room light.

Light doesn't seem to keep newborns awake. However, around 10-12 weeks, you'll notice a change : your baby becomes much more aware of his surroundings. A bright room can then become too stimulating for sleep.

Now, you don't have to wait until things are difficult to make the room dark. You can start offering your baby naps in a dark room as soon as you're ready, but if your baby is 10 weeks or older and naps are difficult , try a dark room!

Yes, you can offer naps in the dark even if your newborn has trouble distinguishing between day and night.

How dark should my baby's room be at night?

We want your baby's room to be DARK at night. In fact, we want it so dark that you can't see your hand in front of your face.

Do babies need to nap in the dark?

Babies, like us, sleep better in the dark. Why? Light stimulates your baby's brain, while darkness promotes sleep. This means light is perfect for waking periods, but darkness is better for nighttimes and naps.

While darkness promotes sleep, you don't have to lock yourself inside every time your baby needs a nap. Just be aware that when you're out and about, your baby's naps may not be perfect.

And that's okay! My goal is to make sure your baby has a good nap , but ALSO has the flexibility to thrive.

If your current sleep setup works for your family (it's not very dark and your baby sleeps well), there's no need to change anything. But if you're dealing with short naps or early morning wake-ups, having a dark bedroom can make a huge difference to sleep.

I don't want my baby to rely on a dark room for naps. What should I do?

If your baby is a heavy sleeper who sleeps through the night and can nap for more than an hour, try gradually adding some light to the room.

Think about light seeping under the door from the hallway or a little sunlight coming in through the curtains. If your baby or toddler continues to take good naps, you might try adding a little more light .

If naps are short or mornings are early, you may need a dark room for a little longer.

But know that you don't have to add light to sleep. Light actually stimulates the brain, and there's no need to ruin a good thing if you don't want to!

How do I make my baby's room dark enough for him to sleep?

Let me tell you about the hand test. Close the curtains and blinds in your room, turn off the lights, and close the door . You want your room to look exactly as it does when your baby is sleeping. Give yourself a moment or two to let your eyes adjust.

Next, put your hand in front of your face. Can you see your hand? If so, your baby's room may not be dark enough, which could be the reason your baby is taking short naps or waking up early in the morning.

There are several ways to make your baby's room dark enough to pass the hand test. Don't forget to look for light coming from electronic devices in the room. Here are some examples to consider.

• Do you use a night light in your baby's room? Check its brightness and consider unplugging it to eliminate extra light.

• Are you using a humidifier in your baby's room ? Check that there's no way to block the green power light, or opt for a humidifier with a light that turns off.

• Do you use a clock in your bedroom? Check if it has a dimmer setting or consider removing it from the room.

• Is the light from your baby monitor pointing directly at your baby? Consider moving it or covering the light, if possible.

If you want to know the trends in terms of night lights for children, I invite you to discover our article on6 night lights to soothe your children's nights .