3yo scared of dark

[Littleguggi]

Hi all, my 3 year old is suddenly scared of the dark. When we put her to bed she demands the light is left on, reluctantly we leave the landing light on, if we don't, she wakes up in the night crying and calling for us.

I know being scared of the dark is a developmental thing at this age, however how do we ensure it doesn't last for any longer than it should?

The change in weather has also probably got something to do with it as it is dark in her room when we take her up at 6.45pm.

Is it worth buying a night light? If so, does anyone have any recommendations?

My recently turned 4 yo DS has been going through a phase of this and has been wanting to sleep in my bed.

I bought him a lava lamp the other day after is watching something, and it seems to have helped,aswell as putting some posters up from his magazines and some new pj's and starting a new routine.

He has stayed in bed all week :) could be a fluke and the fact hes settling into full time but I did enjoy watching the lamp with him and waiting for it to melt and he told me that next morning that he feels better now he has his posters up etc.

Seems very small and I'm not saying its solely down to all this,but could you maybe do something similar?

I feel for you though, its very tough

Ooh also you can get the "diy lamps" which look sweet and could be part of something you could make together,you get glitter etc to pour in. So maybe something like that and then she can be rewarded by seeing what shes made? :)

I don't like sleeping in the dark, I can't imagine what it feels like to be expected to at 3 years old. I don't get the whole thing of making kids sleep in the dark.

I read this recently for a similar problem and found it helpful
www.babysleepscience.com/single-post/2018/10/23/The-Disruption-of-Sleep-Due-to-Fears-and-Anxieties-And-What-To-Do-About-It