---

Convenience For Mom, Comfort For Baby

Nursery night lights are available in a wonderful array of colors and designs. You can choose a simple, unassuming wall-unit that won't draw any attention at all, or on the other extreme, you can go for a constellation night light and make it the star of the show.

The choice is yours. Either way, make sure it is bright enough for you to see what you are doing but dim enough so that baby does not become wakeful or alert.

Here are a few things you should know before you go shopping...

Convenience for Mom

In a nut shell, hunting around in the dark for a lost pacifier is a no win situation - you just won't find it. In the meantime you probably will manage to stub your toe at least once, bang your elbow on the corner of the changing table and bump into the crib, startling the baby that you were going to try to put back to sleep with the pacifier when you found it - not good!


Baby night lights are also great for midnight feeds. Sure, you can nurse baby in the dark, but what about the spit-up that happens when baby finally burps after half an hour of your patient attempts to wind her - you're going to need to see to clean that up!

In short, you'll grow to love your baby night light - don't get up in the night without it!

Comfort For Baby

Babies have a pretty tough time adapting to this big wide world and that's not surprising considering where they spend their first nine months. Adding a little light so that they can recognize the familiarity of their surroundings helps to calm their fears.

Also, despite the way it seems when you are up three times a night in the early weeks, babies do like their rest. They really don't appreciate the room flooding with bright light every time they call you to find their lost pacifier. They would much rather go straight back to sleep with the minimum of fuss. Night lights make this possible.



The use of nursery night lights has become somewhat controversial over the last few years. Some studies have shown, rather inconclusively, that the use of a baby night light may lead to short sightedness (myopia) later on. However, subsequent studies have contradicted this finding with results showing no link between night light use and myopia.

Basically the jury is still out. To be safe it may be better to switch the night light off when baby is sleeping. Other precautionary measures include making sure that the light is not directed towards baby's eyes and that it is not at baby's eye level.



So now you know why you need one, it's time to get down to the business of choosing the right one for you. Here is a run-down of your basic baby night light options...

The Nursery Night Light Lamp

Similar to conventional baby lamps, but with muted lighting, these are available in plain or decorative models to match your baby nursery design.

The Plug-in Night Light

These units are usually inexpensive and simply plug directly into the wall socket. You may have to remove this type of night light when your baby starts exploring nooks and crannies on his hands and knees.

The Projection Night Light

Also known as a light show or interactive night light. These units take several forms each with its own set of features. Usually there is a revolving bulb, which causes moving colors, patterns or pictures to be projected onto the baby nursery ceiling or walls. These appear to have a very calming effect on babies. Some attach to the crib while others are freestanding. Some have additional music, color changing and timer functions.

The Constellation Nursery Night Light

The ultimate in nursery light shows, the constellation night light projects around eight night sky constellations onto your baby's ceiling. The night light is attached to a cuddly turtle in the case of the turtle night light or a ladybug - as seen here.

These snuggly little treasures are sure to become a firm favorite with your growing baby!

---

Combo Nursery Night Lights

Combo nursery night lights are readily available. Examples are...

• Conventional baby lamps with a night light built into the base.
• Teddy bears with built in night lights.
• Clocks with built in night lights.
• Baby monitors with a night light built in.
• Crib mobiles with a built in nursery light show.

---

Other Nursery Night Light Options

• The old faithful lava lamp. If you are planning a modern nursery this could work.
• The dimmer switch. An inexpensive, effective and versatile alternative.
• Paper Lanterns. String them along the wall - try something different.
• Fairy lights. Add a whimsical touch.
• A monorail with lighting pendants.

back to top

Light Auto-sensors

Auto-sensor night lights switch on whenever there is not enough light in the nursery room. This ensures that baby can always see his familiar surroundings and you don't have to remember to switch the light on and off. Believe me, by the time you get to the end of a long night of ups and downs it's easy to forget.

Movement Sensors

Other night lights even come with a motion sensor so they can switch on when they pick up movement in the nursery. This could be you entering the room in a bleary-eyed state, or baby stirring from his sleep. Either way it's really useful.

Revolving Bulbs

Some baby night lights and nursery light shows have a revolving bulb, which casts moving patterns and colors over the nursery room ceiling and walls.

Music

Many nursery light shows have a music function. Some even give you the option to insert a disc or tape of your own choice.

Changing Light Color

Some baby light shows allow you to choose and change the color of the patterns or pictures being projected on the walls. Babies like to be entertained. There isn't that much to do lying on your back on the crib. A change of color is sure to be welcome.

Timer

There are some pretty nifty night lights out there with a timer or auto-shut-off feature built in. Great for making sure that the light does not stay on all night.

Battery or Wind-Up Options

If you are short of wall sockets these night lights solve the problem. A touch operated battery night light is useful for sticking on the wall just inside the nursery room door. You press it as you enter the nursery. No groping for the switch somewhere on the other side of the room.



If you are using a night light lamp follow these safety precautions:

• Place well out of baby's reach. Don't put it too close to the crib or on a shelf above it.
• Place the night light a safe distance away from fabrics, such as bedding and drapes, to prevent fires.
• Keep all nursery night light lamp cord wound up and out of reach.
• Make sure the night light is not directed towards baby's eyes and is not at baby's eye level.

---

If you are using a plug-in nursery night light follow these safety precautions:

• Make sure it is out of baby's reach.
• Remove it from the wall socket when baby starts crawling.
• As noted above, make sure the night light is not directed towards baby's eyes and is not at baby's eye level.

By the time it comes to buying accessories such as baby lamps and nursery night lights, your budget will probably be bursting at the seams. Here are a couple of nursery night light money saving options...

• Look for baby lamps with a night light built into the base. This way you get two lights for the price of one.
• Consider simple, non-decorative plug-in units. These are less expensive than decorative nursery lamps and you can source them from the bargain sections. Place your light somewhere discreet where it will not be noticed.
• Install a dimmer switch. Dimmer switches are inexpensive and allow you to adjust the level of light in the room according to your needs. I have one in Sarah's room and it works like a dream.

For more nursery decorating tips, sign-up for my FREE baby nursery newsletter.






There are plenty of nursery night lights to choose from. Decide whether or not you want your night light to be decorative or just functional and do your homework before you buy.





Back to Top
Back to Creative Baby Nursery Rooms Home Page