When was the first time you saw your baby's beautiful eyes? We're willing to bet it was in a dim room where your baby felt safe and cared for. A newborn's eyes are sensitive, and most little ones will only show off their peepers in a darkened, low-stimulus space.
Furthermore, babies have well-honed circadian rhythms, and light provides a cue that it's time to rise, shine, and explore the world. Now that you know that light plays such a significant role in your baby's behavior, you might ask yourself, "is a night light necessary?"
The answer to that question depends on several factors, from your baby's age to their sleeping habits. We've created this guide to help answer your most pressing queries about sleep, eye development, and the role of light.
Should you "let there be light" or keep your baby in the dark? Read on to learn all you need to know to make the best decision for your little one.
Do You Need a Night Light for a Newborn?
At birth, a newborn's eyesight is somewhere between 20/100 and 2/400. In other words, they can't see the giant "E" at the top of the eye chart. You might notice their eyes crossing, drifting, or moving in strange ways.
All of this is normal in a developing infant. All newborns need to continue developing beyond the womb. The eyes are incredibly complex organs, and it takes time to build up muscles and acclimate to light.
There's another reason babies have poor vision out of the gate: the womb is dark, and birth provides their first exposure to direct light. Little ones need light to develop clearer vision. With that said, they are extremely sensitive to UV and blue light during the first two months of life.
If you wish to use a night light for a baby, a dim one probably won't harm their developing eyes, but the wrong night light can harm their sleep. The presence of light tricks your baby's brain into thinking it's daytime. Light makes babies more active, regardless of the hour, and can impact their ability to fall or stay asleep.
Night Lights and Parental Safety
The advantage of night lights is that they keep caregivers safe, especially while sleep-deprived in the dark.
If you need a night light while tending to your baby in the middle of the night, choose something soft. Plug it into an outlet away from your baby's face. All types of night light are appropriate as long as they don't illuminate the entire room.
Do You Need a Night Light for a Toddler?
It can take as long as two years for your baby's eyesight to develop fully. Still, exposure to light is less of an issue once your baby is three months old. It's still wise to protect your baby's eyes from direct sunlight.
There is no medical or developmental reason a toddler cannot use a night light other than the possible disruption of their circadian cycle.
Is Your Toddler Afraid of the Dark?
Some children may begin to experience darkness or bedtime-related anxiety between the ages of two and three. Research suggests that fear of the dark is a learned fear rather than an innate one. Young toddlers might pick up the concept from media or by listening to adults.
Sometimes toddlers experience nightmares, which parents may mistake for fear of the dark because of causality. If you put a night light in your toddler's room and their fear persists, the darkness may not be the problem. Unfortunately, toddlers often lack the language to communicate their real fears, making finding a solution tricky.
If your child really is afraid of the dark, a night light may be an appropriate way to manage their fear. It helps if you also attempted to sensitize them to the darkness. Sit in the dark and engage in fun activities, such as reading with flashlights, snuggling, or watching a comforting show.
Can I Use a Baby Monitor in the Dark?
Some babies can only fall asleep in a dark room. Many parents swear by blackout curtains during the first few years of their child's life. If your little one needs complete darkness to sleep, you can still use a baby monitor.
The best baby monitors on the market have night vision capabilities. A smart monitor like Pixsee provides crystal-clear FHD video, regardless of the light level. You can keep a careful eye on your baby from anywhere using Pixsee's award-winning smartphone app, even in the middle of the night.
In other words, you do not need to use a night light if you choose a high-end baby monitor with industry-leading, state-of-the-art capabilities. You shouldn't have to disrupt your baby's circadian rhythm to keep them safe in the dark.
Is a Night Light Necessary?
So, is a night light necessary?
Your baby certainly doesn't need a night light in order to sleep, and it may even impact their ability to drift off. With that said, many parents consider the benefits of night lights first. If you're concerned about your safety in your darkened nursery, there is no reason why you can't use a dim light to help you care for your sweet baby.
Whether you choose to use a night light or not, Pixsee can help you keep an eye on your little one. Our industry-leading night vision technology provides crystal-clear HD video of your baby, even in complete darkness.
Visit our Amazon online store and Pixsee Shop to learn how Pixsee keeps babies safe, day and night.
