What Is A Red Nightlight Used For?

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For parents, adding a nightlight to your child's bedroom can be a useful way to help them feel more secure if they're scared of the dark, as well as make it easier to check on them. But if you don't want your color choice to cause more harm to your child's sleep than good, you may want to consider choosing a red nightlight. A study from the journal "The Nature and Science of Sleep" shared that the color of the nightlight in the room can directly impact your child's quality of sleep. For example, a bright white- or blue-colored nightlight may affect melatonin production, leading to your child feeling more awake at night. Red, on the other hand, doesn't disrupt melatonin production and promotes sleep. Orange and amber-colored nightlights also work in the same way and are useful alternatives if the glow of red isn't comfortable for your child.

There are plenty of options for red nightlights out there. For example, the 2 Pack Red Night Light Plug into Wall from YUNLEX has over 3,000 reviews and a 4.6-star rating at the time of writing, with users saying the color doesn't disrupt their sleep. "This was exactly the kind of night light I needed for my child's room. Amber light is easy on the eyes, brightness can be adjusted, automatically turns on when [the] room is dark," said a buyer.

When trying a red nightlight, it's best to start with the dimmest setting possible to see how well that works for your child. You can also try one that slowly dims itself lower and lower, or turns itself off after your child has fallen asleep. For example, the 670nm Red Light for Sleep from BoRccdit has a timer that can be set to 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes.

You should also think about where you place the nightlight. Try to keep it lower to the ground so that it's not shining directly onto your child's face, and make sure the placement also keeps the light from illuminating the ceiling. There are several nightlights on the market that change into a range of colors, but it's best to just go with a light that is a simple red, orange, or amber, as the color changes might make your child more alert and engaged. However, if you've tried switching your child's nightlight to a red tone and they're still experiencing sleep problems, it's always a good idea to check in with your pediatrician.