Should Toddlers Sleep with a Night Light?
Toddlers do not generally begin to experience night-time anxiety until they are around two to three years old. At this stage, some children may become anxious at bedtime, while others wake several times during the night and feel frightened if their room is completely dark.
Some young children may also experience night terrors, which can be very distressing for both the child and the parent.
In most cases, it is helpful to first understand what is causing your child’s fear. If they simply need a little comfort and reassurance, a night light can be a wonderful solution. A soft glow may help them feel safe enough to roll over, settle themselves, and drift back to sleep when they wake.
If using a night light helps your child feel secure in their environment and encourages better sleep for everyone, it may not be a battle worth fighting.
Night Lights for Babies
If you are planning to use a night light for night feeds or nappy changes, they can be incredibly useful. The gentle light gives you enough visibility to quietly enter and leave the room without fully disturbing your baby.
Once your baby begins sleeping through the night, it may be a good idea to switch the light off to encourage a darker sleep environment.
Helpful for Potty Training Toddlers
For older toddlers who are in the middle of potty training, night lights can be especially practical.
Small plug-in lights placed in hallways, landings, or near the bathroom can help guide them safely during night-time trips to the toilet without the need for bright overhead lights.
When a Night Light Becomes a Distraction
However, if your child is using the night light as an opportunity to play or stay awake during the night, it may be worth going through the initial challenge of encouraging a darker sleep environment.
A lovely way to manage this is to make the night light part of the bedtime routine. Reading a bedtime story together in its comforting glow can be very soothing, then make it part of the ritual to switch it off.
You might even say, “Goodnight light, now it’s time for sleep.”
This simple routine can help create clear sleep cues.
Trust Your Instincts
Dealing with toddlers can be frustrating, especially at bedtime when everyone is overtired.
You know your child best. If you feel that a night light will bring them comfort and reassurance, choose one together and make it a positive part of the bedtime routine.
There are so many beautiful designs available that can enhance a child’s bedroom and even become a comforting bedtime friend.
Some feature:
- gentle glowing lights
- slowly moving images
- snow globe effects
- automatic shut-off timers
- simple corner lights for soft ambient glow
Explore Our Favourite Kids’ Night Lights
Take a look at our range of kids’ night lights, and browse some of our favourite picks below.
