Do Babies Sleep Better in a Dark Room?

• Babies benefit from sleeping in a dark room to distinguish between day and night and build a regular sleep schedule.
• Make sure the room is dark by using blackout curtains, removing nightlights, and covering indicator lights.
• A dark room helps the most in the early months; around 2 years old, toddlers may prefer a nightlight.

Because Baby isn’t born with a sense of day and night, it’s often best to make sure their room is as dark as possible to help with their sleep rhythms.

☑️ How dark should the room be? Baby should sleep in a room where you can’t see your hand in front of your face.

What does a dark room help with?

• It helps Baby understand the difference between day and night
• It eliminates anything visual that may keep your newborn awake
• It helps to build their circadian rhythm, which will regulate their sleep schedule

Should the room be dark during naps, too?

Yes, if possible it’s best to have Baby nap in a dark room. Many parents worry their little one may be afraid of the dark, especially during naps. But in the early months of life, a pitch black room is what they are most used to from being in the womb! Fear of the dark usually doesn’t develop until about 2 years of age.

What are some ways to make sure Baby’s room is dark?

• Cover the windows to keep out sunlight. This can be done using blackout curtains or more cost-effective options, like a trash bag, foil or painter’s tape. Safety tip: Make sure Baby can’t reach any of these items from their crib so that they don’t have ability to pull on them.
• Remove any nightlights. You may want a low-light lamp in there for nighttime feedings, but do not leave it on while Baby sleeps.
• If you have small indicator lights on different monitors in the room, like smoke detectors, you can put a small piece of tape over the indicator light.

When can Baby stop sleeping in total darkness?

Every child is different; if Baby seems to be enjoying sleep in total darkness, then you can continue to keep it dark. But some healthcare providers say Baby learns the difference between day and night around 4-6 months, and therefore you don’t need it to be as dark as it was in the early months of life.

Usually around 2 years old, toddlers will like some kind of light in their room, like a nightlight.

Want to learn more about baby’s development and track their milestones?

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