I cannot tell you how often we get calls from parents who are in need of sleep and want help getting their baby to sleep better. Infant sleep is not clear-cut, and there may be lots of reasons why a baby is not sleeping. Did you know there is one quick fix that can help your baby go to sleep and stay asleep? Change the type of light bulb or night light you have in your child’s sleeping space.
We’ve all probably heard by now that screen time before bed is not a good idea because it keeps up awake. That’s because the wavelengths of blue and white light emitted from electronic devices trick our brains into thinking it is still daytime. This inhibits the production of melatonin – a hormone our bodies produce to help us go to sleep and stay asleep.
Many parents use night lights instead of turning on the standard lights as a way to minimize disruption during nighttime feedings and diaper changes. This is an excellent idea except for one thing. Most of these are blue, white, yellow lights. Did you know it is not just the lights from electronic devices that affect our brains, but this disruption is also caused by regular light bulbs? Did you also know that these types of lights also affect infants and young children?
One easy fix you can make today is to use red light bulbs and night lights in the space your child sleeps.
Super easy! The wavelength of red lights differ from all of the others and do not disrupt our normal melatonin production. Using red lights allows you to be able to see but will not be so bright it blinds you when turning on. Not only can this help your little one go back to sleep after 2 am feedings and diaper changes but it can probably help you get back to sleep too!
Contact us or book now for now for a phone consultation or in person appointment if you’d like more information or sleep support.
