Choosing a Baby Night Light: Four Tips Plus Our Favorites!

Adults often share one wish–that we could still “sleep like a baby.” We long for that kind of deep sleep that it seems only infants are capable of, the ability to catch ZZZs even with the sound of a freight train nearby. Babies can indeed sleep through a tremendous amount of noise; however, it’s still best practice as a parent to develop routines for a calming and soothing environment for sleep. (Learn more about the ins and outs of infant sleep here).

From swaddling techniques to sound machines, and high-tech bassinets designed to rock your little one to sleep, there are so many choices for “sleep aids” presented to new parents it can be difficult to know where to start! What’s tried and true for some may not be right for others, and it will take some trial and error to work out the best sleep routine for your baby. We will start by narrowing down baby night light options to get you started.

To Night Light or Not: That is the Question

When it comes to whether or not you should use a baby night light in a nursery, opinions vary. Parenting is by no means a perfect science, and there are pros and cons to using a night light, just as there are pros and cons to using pacifiers. Luckily, a night light is not an expensive investment so that you can give it a try, and if it doesn’t work well for your little one, you didn’t break the bank (or the diaper budget!)

Babies are used to the dark (remember that time they spent in the womb?) so sleeping in a dark room won’t necessarily be an issue for them. However, the benefits of using a night light extend beyond the babies to their exhausted parents—a soft glow (or a bright light) might prevent you from tripping in your sleep-deprived state!

So let’s jump right to the nightlight “pros”:

• A dim light allows you to enter the nursery without using a bright overhead light that may wake your little one.
• For some infants, the night lamp may be “soothing” to help them fall asleep (and this is usually true for all toddlers!)
• Some sound machines include night lights, giving you even more bang for your buck—providing soothing light as well as “white noise” to drown out sounds that may be distracting.
• Nursery night lights do less damage to your electric bill than leaving a closet light on all night. (Trust us: you’ll need to save every extra penny for diapers!)

Tips to Consider When Purchasing a Night Light

• Consider your nursery layout when choosing between a light that plugs directly into a wall socket versus one that would be placed on furniture. Make sure the light won’t be blocked by furniture if you’re choosing the wall socket variety.
• Low wattage is key! The light should be dim, just enough to provide a soothing amount a light but not glaring. If you are also using blackout shades, you may need a slightly brighter light. Be sure to test it in full darkness, not during daylight hours!
• Avoid blue! Even if your nursery is “all boy,” this is the one time when blue is not allowed. Blue light can interfere with sleep, so you want to stick with shades of red or amber instead.
• Watch where it shines! While we’re not suggesting you test this by climbing into baby’s crib (safety first, Moms and Dads!), make sure the light isn’t placed where it would shine directly in baby’s face.

Now that you know the ins and outs of choosing baby night lights, it’s time to shop. Let’s take a look at three of our favorites!

Vava Nursery Night Light

The Vava Nursery Night Light is a favorite for many new parents with its versatile features. It can be programmed for cool white light or warm white light, and best of all, the brightness level can be adjusted! You may want a little more light for a diaper change than you would for a quick check. All you have to do to adjust brightness is touch the top of the light to dim it—no fumbling for switches when you are sleep-deprived and trying your best to pop in and out without disrupting your baby’s sleep. And the Vava light will be useful long after the infant years. It’s a great night light for toddlers, too, and it can even be used outdoors. It’s portable design, and 80-hour charge makes it a great addition to campouts!