Nightlight for 3 Year Old

A night light works well in helping children getting pass the stage of seeing images in the dark. I have found that the new LED plug in (blue) light the room without over lighting, it add nice warm sleep. My children loves the light. A nice lullaby or soundscape music works well..

I have one who is still afraid of the dark at 12 years old! He has Christmas rope lights strung around the ceiling of his room; he plugs them in every night and unplugs them every morning. He'll either take them to college or he won't. As long as he is happy and well-behaved, night lights don't bother me!

When my three boys were little (now 10,12 and 15 -- only 12 yr old afraid of dark), they often told me that they were afraid of the monsters in the dark. To combat monsters, I simply brought some monster spray and would spray it every night before they went to bed. Told them that the monster spray was double good as long as they could smell it -- then it lasted 12 hours after they stopped smelling it. I found that lysol or any really cheap air freshner smelled the strongest and lasted the longest. The kids were usually asleep before the smell disapated.

My 12-year-old knows that there isn't any such thing as monster spray (he can read) so it doesn't work anymore.

Children often behave differently for mom than for dad. It could be that your husband's absence leaves your daughter feeling a little scared and unsure about things. She probably doesn't have the vocab to tell you that so it comes out as "I'm afraid of the dark. because she knows she'll get the comforting she needs.

I.

We have lots of nightlights all over our house so if someone gets up in the night they don't trip and fall. My daughter is 3 1/2 and has two night lights in her room and it works out great for checking on her at night and to help her feel safe if she wakes up in her sleep. I have a friend with a 7 yr old who went through that and they gave her a flash light. She is older then your child, but if the situation comes up in a few years that is another idea. I am sure you know that different stages cause different fears. And kids have lots going on in their lives, a little light at night does not hurt
J.

If it really is that she's afraid of the dark, give her a small flashlight to take to bed with her. That way she will feel in control.

My daughter had a problem with this as well. We found a light up teddy bear that she sleeps with every night. It turns itself off after a certain period of time.

Fear of the dark at age 3 is an expected developmental phase, it is totally normal. I can go more into it if your interested in the spiritual development of children, or you can just take my word for it. Don't worry about getting into a bad habit, the phase will pass. Just give her a bigger light, maybe give her a new blanket that is especially to protect against darkness, or a stuffed friend who can see in the dark to protect her, and keep taking her back to her own bed.

My daughter, age 9, still sleeps with a night light. She has a Hello Kitty one that changes colors. It is very normal to be afraid of the dark and you would not be "caving in" to give her a night light or flashlight to help her feel in control. As far as her getting up multiple times, what works with my 2 1/2 year old son is telling him we can do something special tomorrow, like play trains together, but only if he goes to sleep like a big boy. Giving your daughter something positive and fun to focus on as she falls asleep might help take her mind off the fact that she is alone in a dark room.

S., why not try a lava lamp? I've seen some really cute pink and lavendar ones online. This might be bright enough to alleviate your daughter's fears, and yet be entrancing/relaxing enough to keep her from coming out to you when she wakes up. I wouldn't worry that she's trying to play you. Even if she is and needs the extra attention for now, she'll move on to a different phase soon enough. Just give her some extra loving and she'll get over it after a while. And if not, who cares? So she needs to sleep with a light on...I know plenty of adults who need to sleep with a light on and it's no problem.

I have a night light for my kids room, but it is not shiny like you have, it just lets off a slight glow and it on the blueish side, and only bounces off the wall that it is plugged in at, so it doesnt light up the entire room, if you look around walmart you could possibly be able to find something similar, otherwise as for if your kid is scared of the dark or why i wish i could with that one, my kids arent scared of the dark. i just i would let you know about the night light that isnt so shiny you can give a try.

Maybe she is starting to remember her dreams and that is waking her. How about a safe toy ...something she can cuddle with to help her. My son had his blanket and his favorite stuffed animal of the time.
He was scared of monsters and I told him that all the monster children where at home in there beds sleeping and they didnt need to come to his room because they had their own toys. And if the monster children left their homes the mommy and daddy monsters would miss them. Making the monsters warm and fuzzy like Elmo seemed to help too....that is if monsters are the problem.

Hi, S.,

I was a child similar to your daughter, and I had a genuine fear of the dark. Thankfully, my mom and dad were not concerned that I would get used to something that others might have considered "unhealthy" or "odd". I had a nightlight bright enough to make everything in my room recognizable (this was very important), and they left on the hallway light with my bedroom door open until they all went to bed, which was always a few hours after I did. If I was afraid in the middle of the night, I was allowed to go sleep in my sister's room, who was not afraid of the dark.

As I grew older, my fear subsided, and my need for a nighlight, etc. lessened as well. However, it is still my nature to be uncomfortable in the complete darkness. A small light is always a comfort to me. I think that had my parents decided that I should just learn to be comfortable in the dark or not be afraid at night, I would have become even more fearful of it.

Anyhow, just my persoal experience with this situation. I hope it's helpful.

L.

I dont think that there is anything wrong with a 3 year old being scared of the dark or wanting a little light on while they try to sleep..I have a 7 and 5 year old and they both sleep with a night light..My husband and I are fine with that..They arent afraid of the dark but my house is pitch black at night..So it helps in case they need to use the restroom..So instead of leaving the hall light on just get her a normal size night light and call it good..Good luck.

Not just kids, but there are people who truly fear the dark. I am one of them. If I am uncomforable in my surroundings, then I need a light somewhere. If you want her to feel safe and comfortable, I say help her and always consult your pediatrician's advice. I personally see nothing wrong with nightlights. Your daughter may feel safe when your husband tucks her in OR she may be scared and just trying to please daddy. Little girls love to please their daddys. Moms usually get the real behavior. :-)