Night Light

It's bedtime for the little person (who has recovered from her illness, btw). We read two picture books, and then I ask Madeline if she wants me to leave the overhead lights on. She seems to prefer falling asleep that way. Chris or I sneak in later to turn them off.

Madeline points to the two pot-lights in her bedroom, "Mama, I can't go to sleep - those lights are broken!"

I look up and confirm what I already know - two brightly shining orbs are above us. "They look fine to me," I say. "Madeline, why are they broken?"

"Because they're off when I wake up in the morning!"

So, that night, we leave her lights on all night. I can't remember if I've read something somewhere about sleeping with the lights on being bad for sight or not. Anyway, when Madeline woke up the following morning, she excitedly chirped, "Mom, the lights are fixed!"

Comments

[Sarah]

I think what you are remembering reading is that it can affect melatonin production.

Jack always sleeps with some sort of nightlight. Currently he has a fish type lamp that holds one of those tiny bulbs that he likes.

[chronicler]

Yep it's the melatonin thing; Melatonin is a sleep aid.

I am so glad to hear she is fine. Was worrying a bit and now I can turn that worry off.

[Julie]

Thats cute!

Maybe getting her a special bedside lamp will help curb that afraid of the dark thing, without having to have the lights on all the time.

[dre]

Hi Laura,
Nope, it's not just melatonin; there's something about eye development that makes sleeping with the lights on (all the time, anyway) a bad idea for babies and little kids. I'm not sure at what point it stops being an issue, though. Here's the first link that popped up about it when I searched (which suggests that it's an issue up til two):
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/helthrpt/stories/s25643.htm
Glad to hear Madeleine is feeling better!
xo,
dre

[dre]

Hi there,
I just tried to comment but it didn't show up, so I'm trying again.

It's not just about melatonin, unfortunately, there is a link between sleeping with the lights on in infancy/early childhood and nearsightedness. Though I'm not sure if Madeleine, being older than 2, is past the age where it matters.

Here's the first relevant link that popped up when I searched:
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/helthrpt/stories/s25643.htm

Glad Madeleine is feeling better, anyhow!

[dre]

ack, whoops, and now I posted twice. Freaky. So here's a third post to apologize for the repeat :-p

[Helen]

How cute! Amazing (and sometimes annoying) how observant children can be!