OMG How dark is it tonight. Panicking about winter now and putting LO to bed in dark

chele · Aug 25th, 2010, 13:59 PM

As a spring mum, by the time Max had a good nighttime routine, the evenings were light so he'd always fall asleep as the sun was still shining/going down.

Tonight is soooo dark and has got me thinking about winter and the evenings drawing in. Max will essentially go to bed in the dark and I'm not sure how he'll handle it.

I leave the monitor light on all night anyway so he has a little bit of light, but not sure how he'll handle being put to sleep in practically the dark.

For you summer 09/autumn 09 mums, what did you do?
Is there a light you can get that fades after say an hour or so?
Or I was thinking of putting one on a timer, and get it to switch off an hour after he falls asleep.
Do you have a small nightlight?
Shall I just keep putting him to bed as he does now and see what happens as the evenings draw in?

Help!

_Vicky_ · Aug 25th, 2010, 14:01 PM

Wellll the boys were born in January and personally although they were teeny I think darkness = better sleeping this blumming light till 9pm nonsence makes them harder to settle I think x

twinklestar · Aug 25th, 2010, 14:02 PM

ive had two of mine in the spring/summer and never noticed a problem with them going to bed in the dark once winter came, infact they slept longer in winter

try not to worry about it hun x x

Sam9kids · Aug 25th, 2010, 14:03 PM

Ive never used a light at night, they just seem to adapt! sometimes they even sleep longer lol

Blah11 · Aug 25th, 2010, 14:05 PM

its easier to get them to sleep in the dark IMO. besides, it gradually gets darker so it wont be a shock for him.

Sam9kids · Aug 25th, 2010, 14:05 PM

eh dont know how i had crossed posts??

Gwizz · Aug 25th, 2010, 14:06 PM

Ben was born march 09 and although he had a little nightlight to begin with he doesnt have anything now, its alot easier than having to deal with having lights on when they are older if they get used to the dark early on

I agree he does sleep longer, I even use a blackout blind lol

jaybee · Aug 25th, 2010, 14:07 PM

I think that if you just carry on as normal at the same time each night, then he will adjust slowly along with the drawing in of the nights.
Tobi has blackout blinds anyway, so the darkness will just help him allthe more.

chele · Aug 25th, 2010, 14:11 PM

Thanks ladies
He did have a blackout blind til we moved, so he just got used to going to bed when it was light still.
I started leaving the monitor light on when he was a couple of days old as he seemed to not like the dark.

But, Max goes to bed and self settles - do they still self settle in the pitch black????

Cattia · Aug 25th, 2010, 14:17 PM

I think the change will be gradual so he will just adjust as it happens. Abigail was a December baby so I had worries the other way round, as to whether the light would bother her (particulalry light mornings) but it's never been an issue as it is a change of just a minute or two each day. Don't worry, I am sure he will manage the change just fine

PS: Also self settling I think has much more to do with a bedtime routine and sleep cues rather than how dark / light it is.

Aug 25th, 2010, 13:59 PM	#1
chele Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sheffield Posts: 11,754	OMG How dark is it tonight. Panicking about winter now and putting LO to bed in dark As a spring mum, by the time Max had a good nighttime routine, the evenings were light so he'd always fall asleep as the sun was still shining/going down. Tonight is soooo dark and has got me thinking about winter and the evenings drawing in. Max will essentially go to bed in the dark and I'm not sure how he'll handle it. I leave the monitor light on all night anyway so he has a little bit of light, but not sure how he'll handle being put to sleep in practically the dark. For you summer 09/autumn 09 mums, what did you do? Is there a light you can get that fades after say an hour or so? Or I was thinking of putting one on a timer, and get it to switch off an hour after he falls asleep. Do you have a small nightlight? Shall I just keep putting him to bed as he does now and see what happens as the evenings draw in? Help!

Status: Offline

Aug 25th, 2010, 14:01 PM	#2
_Vicky_ Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: May 2009 Location: Derbyshire - UK Posts: 7,312	Wellll the boys were born in January and personally although they were teeny I think darkness = better sleeping this blumming light till 9pm nonsence makes them harder to settle I think x

Status: Offline

Aug 25th, 2010, 14:02 PM	#3
twinklestar Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: london Posts: 2,569	ive had two of mine in the spring/summer and never noticed a problem with them going to bed in the dark once winter came, infact they slept longer in winter try not to worry about it hun x x

Status: Offline

Aug 25th, 2010, 14:03 PM	#4
Sam9kids Pregnant (Expecting) Inactive Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Cheshire, UK Posts: 4,928	Ive never used a light at night, they just seem to adapt! sometimes they even sleep longer lol

Status: Offline

Aug 25th, 2010, 14:05 PM	#5
Blah11 Mum (Mom) BnB Spammer Elite Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 38,156	its easier to get them to sleep in the dark IMO. besides, it gradually gets darker so it wont be a shock for him.

Status: Offline

Aug 25th, 2010, 14:06 PM	#7
Gwizz Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Staffordshire Posts: 10,059	Ben was born march 09 and although he had a little nightlight to begin with he doesnt have anything now, its alot easier than having to deal with having lights on when they are older if they get used to the dark early on I agree he does sleep longer, I even use a blackout blind lol

Status: Offline

Aug 25th, 2010, 14:07 PM	#8
jaybee Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wiltshire/ Somerset Border. Posts: 4,401	I think that if you just carry on as normal at the same time each night, then he will adjust slowly along with the drawing in of the nights. Tobi has blackout blinds anyway, so the darkness will just help him allthe more.

Status: Offline

Aug 25th, 2010, 14:11 PM	#9
chele Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sheffield Posts: 11,754	Thanks ladies He did have a blackout blind til we moved, so he just got used to going to bed when it was light still. I started leaving the monitor light on when he was a couple of days old as he seemed to not like the dark. But, Max goes to bed and self settles - do they still self settle in the pitch black????

Status: Offline

Aug 25th, 2010, 14:17 PM	#10
Cattia Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 6,748	I think the change will be gradual so he will just adjust as it happens. Abigail was a December baby so I had worries the other way round, as to whether the light would bother her (particulalry light mornings) but it's never been an issue as it is a change of just a minute or two each day. Don't worry, I am sure he will manage the change just fine PS: Also self settling I think has much more to do with a bedtime routine and sleep cues rather than how dark / light it is.

Status: Offline

User Name		Remember Me?
Password