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Behaviour/development

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Original poster

What do you think of night lights?

15 replies

MadMonkeys · 28/12/2013 18:44

DD1 (4yo) has recently become a bit afraid of the dark. She has a gro clock which gives a dim light but I was wondering whether to get her a proper night light as she says the clock is too dim. I don't know if it is best to get a night light, or will that reinforce that the dark is something to be afraid of? Any comments?

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fondantfancier · 28/12/2013 19:41

My 4 yo has just become scared of the dark too. I see it as a real phobia (like heights, thunderstorms etc... for some people). He's got a nightlight that stays on all night, and then some pretty stars fairy lights which leave it dark enough to sleep, but light enough for him if he wakes up.
I've gone round together making sure monsters aren't in the room and trying to tell him its ok, but if they're scared they're scared in my eyes. He's slept much better since having it a little lighter.

Blackpuddingbertha · 28/12/2013 19:45

Do you have the gro clock on the brightest setting already? Ours are pretty bright when on full.

Another option is to have a night light on just as she goes to sleep and explain that you'll turn it off when she's asleep. We do this with D2 as she likes the extra light initially but is happy with just the clock if she wakes in the night.

TheGreatHunt · 28/12/2013 19:47

It's supposed to bad for their eyesight. Ds is 4, scared of the dark, so I try and reassure him by telling him that the dark is just the same bit you cannt see etc. I sit with him until he sleeps and he shares with his sister which helps.

I do think it's inherent to be at least wary of the dark - a survival instinct of sorts.

tacal · 28/12/2013 20:12

My ds does not feel comfortable going to sleep in the dark. He has a grow clock and also a touch lamp. The touch lamp has 3 levels of brightness and I leave it on the lowest one all night. I have never tried a night light but I would imagine it would be similar brightness to the touch lamp I leave on.

I am not comfortable with trying to persuade my ds to sleep in the dark if he is unhappy to do so. I can see how upset he gets about it so I feel better leaving a little light on for him.

PJ67 · 28/12/2013 23:22

My 4 yr old has a lego torch light and if the batteries are going low and it's not so bright he always wakes up in the night crying. I'll rather not have him need a light but don't want him to be scared so don't see the harm in it as I think he gets himself back to sleep easier if he wakes up and can see his room and not imagine things.

DeathMetalMum · 29/12/2013 08:57

Dd is nearly 3 and has two night lights she has a plug in one (by lindam) that just stops the room from being pitch black. Also a push one with minnie mouse on which stays on for 10 minutes only and is still quite dim but brighter than the other. She can use this one herself which is good as she likes it on while she goes to sleep.

If we don't have any lights then if she wakes during the night it is very difficult for her to go back to sleep.

HappTeeNewYear · 29/12/2013 09:00

My son has always had a nightlight, won't sleep without it.

No idea why it would be an issue. It's natural to be scared of the dark. We cannot see in the dark. Why not use a light?

I am 99.9% sure it's bullshit that it affects their vision, but don't really know or care.

ParenthoodJourney · 29/12/2013 09:19

My DS has a lindam owl shaped nightlight from tescos 9.99. It gives enough light to his room without being too bright. It automatically turns off after 20 minutes which for my DS is enough time for him to all asleep. It is also portable and battery powered so he keeps it beside his bed to turn on himself and carry to the toilet if he needs to - it's pretty perfect and cheap!

matana · 29/12/2013 09:29

Ds is 3 and although not terrified of the dark he has recently been asking us to leave the light on. We have the main light on a dimmer switch and turn it to the lowest setting. We switch it off once he's asleep and I've never seen it as a problem. If your dd is worried about monsters you could also try giving her a 'magic' spray which shoots a mist of water. Tell her if she's scared she can spray it and any monsters should disappear.

MiaowTheCat · 29/12/2013 16:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

skyeskyeskye · 29/12/2013 16:10

DD is 5yo and always has a light on. She has got a rechargeable one which lasts for around 3 nights and can also be a torch. It's a Go Glow light and you can get them in various characters or around £20.

Parentingfailure · 29/12/2013 16:22

I'm 38 and have a night light! Why would it be considered a problem for a child to have one?

Jollyb · 29/12/2013 16:30

I slept with my door wide open and the landing light on for years. It's been very useful as it means I can now sleep anywhere (apart from planes) whereas DP needs pitch darkness.

matana · 29/12/2013 16:51

bloosn · 17/08/2014 10:43

I'd love a touch lamp with an auto off after say ten minutes for my daughter's room.
The statistics which show that not having proper periods of real darkness during sleep leads to a significantly higher chance of myopia are to convincing for a parent to ignore..especially after all my reading with a torch as a child....

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