I always have a very soft light on in my kids bedroom (4 and 3 years old). My friend told me that the kids should sleep in the dark and that i My kids don't feel secure in the dark. any advice or reference to where I can find more information would be very helpful!
We have a led light that is red so it doesn't disturb sleep or sight. I think we got it at Target or someplace like that. We are careful since reading that it's bad for eyesight later. Our boys complained at first that there was no light on, but they got used to waiting to see it. GL!
I agree with doing what feels comfortable for them. BUT I've read a couple of times that sleeping w/light, even just a nightlight is strongly associated with nearsightedness later. So, I'd start weaning them asap. AFter I read that, I just took the night lights and haven't had any issues. We did put up glow in the dark stars so there's a little light when they're falling asleep but none through the night. try having the bathroom light on w/their door cracked w/the crack getting smaller and smaller until they're in the dark. A clock-radio w/red lights may be helpful because it provides light w/out being disruptive to their sleep (or vision, they say). or try finding a night light w/red covering. Or use a camping lantern covered in red cellophane if the lantern doesn't get hot.
I think you are just fine to do whatever is most comfortable for you and your kids. Most kids sleep with a nightlight.
My advice is to do what you feel is best for your kids' comfort and security. My kids have a little camping lantern that makes them feel secure. They'll learn to sleep in the dark when they're ready.
Some soft lighting I think is fine if it is geared towards like a night light. Too much light keeps their brain waves in semi non sleeping mode. Light is an indicator in our brains that it is time to wake up, so the full deep sleeping isn't allowed with light in the room. White lights are the worst in preventing good sleep. Red, bluish lights allow for the better sleep. I wouldn't have a lamp on for even safety reasons if that is what you do.
I have the LED soft night lights that basically just lights up the floor area, they provide enough light if someone had to go to the bathroom, for the kids to see the objects in their room to a degree, but they go off with the sun and come on in the dark and are very dim. I think just gauge how light or bright it is and maybe find nightlights appropriate to allow for deep sleep.
All kids have this phase and yes, dark is better for good sleep but they are kids! :) You can educate them about why it gets dark, what happens with the sun and the moon, that helped my kids but kids are apprehensive about what they cannot see. Normal.
Both of mine slept in pitch dark for years, then as they got older requested a dim night light and I feel better as they can see if they have to go potty at night!
Don't worry about a friend and thank her for the advice, you know your kids best and if they are sleeping really well, it isn't a "light" persay then not a problem as far as I can tell! :)
I had a night light in my son's room when he was a baby -- the dimmest one I could find -- just so I could see to get around and not trip on stuff when going in to comfort him at night. That led to him wanting a light in his room as he got bigger, but gradually he has stopped needing it. I found one that was even dimmer than the first one I had. Then his little sister would keep taking it out of the socket while we were reading bedtime stories. Now he doesn't need it at all. I would take cues from your kids. If they need the soft light than keep it. If you feel like it's time for them to grow out of it and it won't mess up their security, maybe move to one that is dimmer then to none.
As long as your kids are exposed to bright sunlight during the day, the night light won't mess up their day/night cycles. Good luck to you.
