Why is darkness important for sleep? And not just for your little one, but also for YOU!
Light is the most important external factor effecting sleep. Light stimulates our brain and inhibits our melatonin production (our sleepy hormone). Light also effects our circadian rhythm as well as our sleep cycles.
Darkness, on the other hand, tells our brain that it is time to go to sleep. In response to darkness, the pineal gland in the brain initiates production of melatonin. But light exposure can slow or halt that production.
Darkness is so important for optimal sleep!
If you are worried that your baby may be afraid of the dark, I have good news!
Fear of the dark generally happens when your child develops an imagination. This typically doesn’t happen until 2 years of age and up.
So, don’t hesitate to make that room dark!
But… if you have a toddler who seems afraid or is asking for a night light, my advice is to choose a red one.
A red nightlight might sound strange but red is the only light that doesn’t interfere with our natural melatonin production. White, green and blue light all DO interfere which is why screen time can negatively impact sleep.
You can easily find red night lights on Amazon or you can use your Hatch.
If you are struggling to make your child’s room dark enough, you can find my favorite black out shades here: http://www.blackoutez.com/344.html
And if you are struggling with your child’s overall sleep, we are here to help! Our passion is helping families prioritize sleep so that you can ENJOY parenthood! You can schedule your free discovery call to discuss your specific sleep situation and challenges and learn more about how our services can support you here: http://www.beewisesleepconsulting.com/schedule