After having a new baby, you probably have an extensive list of questions! And, top of the list might be ‘what colour light will help my baby sleep?’ This is an important question and getting it right can ensure your baby gets to sleep quickly, allowing you to get a good rest!
There are a few things to consider when putting your baby down to rest. These include reducing light exposure in the lead up to bedtime, ensuring the babies bedroom is dark enough and using the right colour and type of night light. Let’s take a look at what night lights are, how different light affects sleep and which is best for your baby.
Does Your Baby Need a Night Light?
During the first few weeks of a baby’s life, they’ll need to be fed every few hours through the night. Some will need their nappies changing or need to be comforted after waking up. Even as they get older, some babies and toddlers may wake frequently and be afraid of the dark.
A night light is hugely beneficial, giving you enough light to move around the nursery without tripping up! Plus, the warming light will offer a little comfort for those young ones who’re scared of the dark. The right type of night light is well worth the investment. However, attention needs to be taken to get a light that doesn’t harm the sleep of your little one.
How Light Affects Melatonin (The Sleep Hormone)
Everybody has an internal clock, also known as the circadian rhythm or sleep/wake cycle. When night time arrives and it starts to get dark, your body secretes melatonin. This is a sleep hormone, that signals to your brain that it’s time to get ready for sleep.
Daylight or a bright type of light such as blue light, that is emitted from electronic devices, has the opposite effect. This is why, when you want your baby to go to sleep it’s important to block light from the outside and use the right type of nursey light that won’t keep them awake.
What Are the Best and Worst Lights for Baby Sleep?
You might be wondering what colour night light is actually right for your baby to get a good night’s sleep. Here’s what you need to know:
Best Lights for Baby Sleep
Red and amber colour lights have long wavelengths of light and have zero negative effects on melatonin production or sleep quality. This is because amber or red light does not interfere with your melanopsin receptors. Basically, when your view amber or red light, your brain perceives it like darkness.
This means that your body will continue its natural cycle of melatonin production, helping you to fall asleep. A warm amber or red light in your baby’s nursery is ideal to give them a little comfort without inhibiting sleep. This type of dim light will also allow you to see enough, to get through a nappy change, or comforting session with ease.
Worst Lights for Baby Sleep
You may think that blue, green and white light would have a comforting effect on your baby, but they actually negatively affect sleep health. These types of brighter light contain short wavelengths of light and hinder melatonin production. This is because humans see white and blue light as daylight, which signals to the brain that it should be awake.
Exposure to these types of light can have an awakening effect that lasts up to 90 minutes. This is why experts recommend that night lights and bedside lamps shouldn’t have blue, green or white light.
The best light for baby sleep is red or amber light. We have a great selection of colours and designs on the MyLight website. Please take your time, and order a customised MyLight night light online today. Your little one will enjoy a little more comfort at bedtimes, which should also transpire in a better sleep for you too.