Does My Baby Need A Nightlight?

What is the correct guidance for baby nightlights? Here we are again, searching for answers in the vast depths of babydom. Allow Sky Rockets to help. We’ll dive into the myriads of the nightlights on offer and find the answer to that burning question… 

Does my Baby Need a Nightlight…? 

 

Baby Night Lights – Good or Bad? 

Are baby night lights good for babies, or are they an unnecessary and costly addition to your baby’s equipment that may damage natural sleep patterns?  

With such a huge array of nightlights available to buy in the shops, it’s difficult to know which way to turn. And are they suitable for babies? Surely, our trusted baby equipment manufacturers wouldn’t sell anything that may be bad…would they? 

Let’s take an in-depth look at what baby nightlights have to offer.  At Sky Rockets, we’re always here to help! 

If you are new to parenthood, you’ve probably realised that nighttime doesn’t always mean sleep time for your little bundle. And when your baby is awake…you’re awake! Having a nightlight in your baby’s room can be super helpful when trying to feed and change nappies in the pitch black of night. 

It can also be comforting to see your baby at all times if you have a particular worry or concern.  

A nightlight can be a very useful tool, but it’s important to consider the disadvantages of using a baby nightlight as well.  

Establishing a healthy, natural sleep pattern is crucial and often exhausting during the early weeks of parenting. We know that every baby is different, and their need for sleep during the day and night will vary greatly. But it’s important to establish your baby’s circadian rhythm so that they are aware of night and day – even if they sometimes decide to ignore it! Some babies may sleep all night with a couple of daytime power naps, others repeatedly feed during the night and have lengthy daytime sleeps, and others simply don’t need much sleep at all. Everyone is different, and often, a baby’s sleep pattern will be a result of the family routine and commitments as well. But establishing a baby’s circadian rhythm is an important skill, and one we have all learnt.  

Correct lighting can help your baby learn to distinguish between night and day early on. Some nightlights can be too bright, making it impossible for your baby to learn this vital skill. Nightlights should be kept dim and use red and amber tones.  

In summary, using a nightlight is not bad for your baby. However, the kind of nightlight you use and how you use it can have quite an impact on your baby's sleep, brain, and visual development.  

By following the simple rules below, using a nightlight in your little bambinos’ room can be super beneficial: 

• Use a soft, dim light. 

• Position the nightlight away from your baby’s direct line of vision. 

• Stay away from cool, bright lights like white or blue, as these can disrupt sleep. Instead, opt for warm red and amber tones. 

 

What About Colour Changing Nightlights? 

When it comes to the development of your cherished bundle, of course, there’s lots to consider. But one thing you may not have thought about is the colour of your baby’s nightlight. This, in fact, is quite important. Research has shown that white and blue lights are proven to be disruptive to babies’ sleep, causing a “hyper-alert” effect, while warm tones like red or amber can be beneficial.  

To explain further, we need to understand a little more about baby sleep patterns... 

At birth, babies are unable to tell the difference between night and day, hence their frequent night waking and erratic sleep patterns! When your baby reaches around 8 to 12 weeks, they will start understanding the daily rotation. This is called the circadian rhythm, or day-night cycle. 

There are things you can do to help your baby integrate into a nighttime routine, like swaddling, sticking to a regular routine, and creating a calm, dim environment.  

Red and amber baby night lights help establish babies’ circadian rhythm by mimicking the sunset. This increases melatonin production, a natural response to darkness, and relaxes their muscles, allowing babies to drift off to sleep. Warm tones also have a longer wavelength than other colours, reducing light sensitivity and helping babies’ eyes adjust to the dark. 

So colour is most definitely important when finalising your purchase of a baby night light! 

Important: Remember that white, blue or purple lights will overstimulate your baby at bedtime.  

 

Visual Development – What Does Light Have To Do With It? 

 

Your baby will change dramatically during its first year of life, from newborn to rolling, sitting, eating, sleeping, teething, and sometimes even walking! It’s a source of amazement to most parents watching their young child change in so many ways in such a short time. One of the less talked about developments is your baby's vision and the things parents can do to foster that development. 

At birth, newborns are super sensitive to bright lights, and their vision is very limited. It’s best to introduce coloured lights gradually to avoid overstimulation. We’ve looked at the benefits of red and amber tones in creating a calm, relaxed environment for sleep, so let’s investigate other colours. 

During the early weeks, your baby can’t recognise colours or shades because the retina isn’t fully developed. A colour-changing light, particularly contrasting light and dark colours, will stimulate your baby’s vision and brain development. Strong contrast can spark curiosity, increasing attention span, memory and nervous system development.   

At around two or three months, your baby’s vision will be much sharper and you’ll be able to introduce patterns and bright colours. This will encourage your child to focus and follow objects, developing their vision further.  

Sky Rockets loves helping our families live their best lives. We're here to pass on our expert advice. So take a look at our nightlights and sleep support products – they’ve all been expertly approved by Sky Rockets!