Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Husband opens blinds in baby’s room

212 replies

DownmarketSellingSunset · 06/09/2026 11:24

The baby only sleeps in there - nothing else. He insists on going in every morning to open the blinds and the shutters to let light in because it’s ‘unhealthy’ not to do it (I’ve asked what he means and he just says it is dull without the blinds open). They aren’t blackout blinds, just normal blinds, so there is plenty of light in there during the daytime.

But, I’m almost always the one that puts her down for a nap or bedtime. So every time I take her up I have to try and negotiate fiddly blinds with one hand, while being pinched and grabbed because she wants her milk and to go to sleep but won’t with the light streaming in.

so, AIBU to insist he stops bloody opening the blinds for no reason? He thinks I’m wildly over reacting and it’s fine to pull them down when I go in to put her down for a nap.

OP posts:
pizzaHeart · 06/09/2026 12:00

Opening blinds every day to get sunlight in is good. however if there is a problem with blinds it should be addressed asap. It’s not always possible so in the meantime you need to find sensible solution.
Is the problem that you go upstairs holding baby who is nearly asleep and doing blinds wakes baby up?
If so can your DH open blinds and window to air the room for a bit and then close it after say 20- 30 min so the room is ready for the nap later?

Raptors · 06/09/2026 11:58

Needmorelego · 06/09/2026 11:55

Go in and put the blinds down before you take the baby in.
Does this not seem obvious 🤔

In the time it took the OP to make this thread she could have closed all the blinds in the house. It's such a pointless thing to get annoyed about.

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 06/09/2026 11:58

It's not like she's a young baby as she has the ability to ' pinch ' you. So why are you not putting her down ? then closing the blind/s.

Naurrr · 06/09/2026 11:56

He can share the nap and bedtimes. Blinds only need one hand to operate, I can't see the problem?

Needmorelego · 06/09/2026 11:55

Go in and put the blinds down before you take the baby in.
Does this not seem obvious 🤔

JLou08 · 06/09/2026 11:52

It is unhealthy to leave them closed, especially if it's an older home. Condensation gathers at windows, it needs airing out or it can get damp.

TwinklyAmberSloth · 06/09/2026 11:52

I hate shut blinds all day. Open blinds ans let light and preferably air in!

@DownmarketSellingSunset can't he just go up and close them in the evening as part of the bedtime routine?

Fattypantss · 06/09/2026 11:52

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

I had a man once who would do little things like this when I’d asked him not to. A thousand little things as he knew best. Only he didn’t, it was all little things that he knew made my life a tiny bit more stressful.

A blind being closed for a few months to make OPs life easier isn’t the end of the world.

Fattypantss · 06/09/2026 11:50

Iloveeverycat · 06/09/2026 11:36

But NHS guidance advises that babies should sleep in light rooms with open curtains during daytime naps to help them learn the difference between day and night.

Show quote history

Well, all 4 of mine would have laughed in the face of NHS guidance.

They slept far better in dark rooms. They all grew up unscathed.

Yewlez · 06/09/2026 11:48

Bitzee · 06/09/2026 11:44

Allow the air from the open window to properly circulate into the room instead of being trapped behind the blind?

Show quote history

There's been no mention of opening the windows only opening the blinds. So if the window is closed what is the benefit of opening the blinds?

susiedaisy1912 · 06/09/2026 11:47

Raptors · 06/09/2026 11:34

Opening blinds and curtains in each room every morning is completely normal behaviour. I really don't understand why it would be an issue to close them again at nap time. Just put baby in the cot and close the blinds, it can't be that fiddly?

This. Also sunlight helps to kill surface bacteria on things in its direct path. So it’s healthy to open the blinds and crack a window open a little.

UncannyFanny · 06/09/2026 11:47

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Bitzee · 06/09/2026 11:44

Nellodee · 06/09/2026 11:38

I get the purpose of opening windows, but I can’t see why blinds “should” be opened. What does opening them do? I’m getting “darked on” vibes from this.

Allow the air from the open window to properly circulate into the room instead of being trapped behind the blind?

FlippingGiraffe · 06/09/2026 11:43

We’ve got a toddler and until recently his blinds were basically permanently down to make it easier for naps and night. But we’ve recently changed this.

Why can’t one of you go in and close them close to nap/bed time? Even if you did it at actual nap time and you’re alone it would take ten seconds and you could even put baby down to do it?

I think we need a bit more info as to why it’s such a struggle because maybe we just don’t understand?

Reclamation · 06/09/2026 11:42

I have never come across blinds that are so difficult.

I would hate a room where the blinds were never opened and daylight never entered. I believe there is evidence that letting the sunshine in can kill dust-dwelling bacteria.

it is a bit too much Miss Havisham for me.

Mooselander · 06/09/2026 11:41

YABVU. You know exactly when naptime is, you can just go in there a couple of minutes before and shut them.

No issue Confused

MajorSamanthaCarter · 06/09/2026 11:39

Rooms need light and air. You're closing a blind fgs not piloting the Starship Enterprise, honestly I have to question how some people make it through the day.

NChannnnge · 06/09/2026 11:39

Feels like much ado about nothing from both of you. I’d also be opening the blinds (and the window for a little each day!) but not sure why either of you want to die on this hill.

Didimum · 06/09/2026 11:39

Air circulation to the window in full is beneficial. Your husband isn’t doing anything wrong. I’d learn to chill out about it.

Nellodee · 06/09/2026 11:38

I get the purpose of opening windows, but I can’t see why blinds “should” be opened. What does opening them do? I’m getting “darked on” vibes from this.

Iloveeverycat · 06/09/2026 11:37

How old is baby

arethereanyleftatall · 06/09/2026 11:37

This is all absolutely batshit.

if its hard to do it with one hand, whats stopping either of you doing it with two hands just before you get her to sleep.

blinds/curtains open in daytime not sleeping hours is fairly standard.

or is this one of those threads where this one thing could be argued either way, but actually he’s abusive and controlling when you reveal more?

Iloveeverycat · 06/09/2026 11:36

Fattypantss · 06/09/2026 11:26

He’s a fucking idiot who is trying to make your life harder.

But NHS guidance advises that babies should sleep in light rooms with open curtains during daytime naps to help them learn the difference between day and night.

Bitzee · 06/09/2026 11:36

Also OP if you keep those blinds permanently closed and never open the window you’re asking for damp/mould from condensation on the windows as the weather gets colder. Which is really not what you want, especially in a baby’s room.

user1492757084 · 06/09/2026 11:35

Invest in easier blinds.
Melatonin is naturally working in tandum with daylight and night time.

It is important that people see daylight in the morning to set their body clocks.
Children need to get into the routine of sleeping when it is dark and waking with daylight.