night lights for kids

When considering night lights for kids, it's essential to recognize their potential impact on sleep and vision. Andrew Huberman highlights that children who sleep with night lights or in well-lit rooms have a significantly higher risk of developing myopia (nearsightedness). Conversely, those who sleep in dark environments tend to have a lower probability of developing this condition. This is particularly concerning because certain wavelengths of light can penetrate the eyelids, especially in children who tend to have thinner eyelids, which can interfere with normal visual development 1.

For parents, it's advisable to create a dark sleeping environment for their children to support not only vision but also overall health. Huberman suggests gradually weaning kids off night lights, replacing them with dimmer, less disruptive light sources, if necessary, to ensure emotional comfort while improving sleep conditions 1.

If a night light is necessary for comfort, options include using lights that produce minimal blue light or utilizing red light bulbs, which can be less disruptive to sleep. Huberman mentions that transitioning to red lights can help reduce stress and cortisol levels, facilitating a calmer bedtime routine 2.