Red Night Light

How will a red light help with sleep? A red night light can be a helpful solution for children who fear the dark or experience nightmares. Around 24 months of age, many toddlers start developing a fear of darkness, which can disrupt their sleep and lead to frequent awakenings, and they may resort to co-sleeping, because there's nothing like a mama who fights off monsters with cuddles.

To address these concerns, a carefully chosen night light can make a difference. However, not just any night light will do, opting for a red colour base is the answer and here's why.

Melatonin

Red light has been found to have less interference with melatonin production compared to other colours. It creates an environment that promotes the natural release of melatonin with minimal disruption.

Why is Melatonin important?

Our bodies have an internal clock or circadian rhythm that exists from birth and tells us when it’s time to sleep. When it starts to get dark outside, our bodies start to create Melatonin, which helps to control sleep-wake cycles. It can also lower body temperatures and help to relax your muscles, which helps you to sleep.

Why not a blue, white or green light?

Blue, white or green lights, including lights that are emitted from TV screens, fluorescent lights and portable devices, can be detrimental to sleep as they emit blue light waves and can delay the release of Melatonin and reset your body’s circadian rhythm. This means it will take longer to fall asleep, you’ll have less REM (dreaming) sleep, and ultimately, you’ll wake up feeling sleepier.

What is blue Light?

Blue light is a stimulant that actually boosts attention and reaction times, which interrupts the production of melatonin.

More on red night lights

Red lights aren't only for children, but also for adults. They're great wall plug-ins for hallways, bathrooms, toilets or even a kitchen. Instead of switching the light switch to find your way around, a red light in the middle of the night for toilet trips or midnight snacks won't wake you as much.

While red light has been found to have a milder impact on melatonin suppression compared to blue light, it can still affect sleep patterns. Studies have shown that exposure to red light before bedtime can delay the onset of melatonin release and disrupt sleep. Therefore, it's generally recommended to minimise exposure to all types of light, including red light, in the hours leading up to sleep to promote optimal sleep hygiene.

Please note that every baby is different, and the age at which nightmares may begin can vary. While it is common for children to develop a fear of the dark around 24 months of age, some babies may experience nightmares earlier or later than this

Is sleep a struggle right now?

I’ve created a sleep guide packed with practical tips and strategies to help your little one sleep through the night, move away from co-sleeping and other strong sleep associations, and give you the confidence to handle sleep challenges without feeling overwhelmed.

If you’re looking for more personalised help, I also offer one-on-one sleep support.

Check out my guides and guides for babies aged 4–24 months and toddlers aged 2–5 years - I’m here to help every step of the way!

If you feel like you’d benefit from more personalised support, we can also schedule a phone consult. That way, we can work closely together to address your little one's specific needs.

---

I'm the founder of Babee Dreams, a certified sleep consultant, and a mum of three. Everything I share is from evidence-based research, professional training through The Sleep Consulting Academy, real-life success stories from families I've worked with, and the instincts that come from being a mum.

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised guidance regarding your baby's health and well-being, Babee Dreams does not give medical advice.

REFERENCES

Philippa. (2019, February 27). My Night Light. https://www.mynightlight.com.au/blogs/default-blog/red-night-light-for-sleep-how-it-will-help-your-child