⚠️ Is your baby catnapping, resisting sleep, or consistently waking early in the morning? 😩
One factor to consider is the darkness of their sleeping environment 🌙
Melatonin, known as the “sleepy hormone” can only be produced in darkness and plays an important role in regulating our day-night sleep cycles 🌤️🌙
When the retina in our eyes detect any* light, it sends electrical signals to the optic nerve, signaling the brain to release cortisol, the stress hormone, to wake you up 🆘. Conversely, in a dark sleeping environment, the brain triggers the release of melatonin to maintain sleepiness 😴. Therefore, having a dark sleeping environment can support your baby to self-soothe and link sleep cycles, reducing the risk of sleep resistance and catnapping 🙌🏻
This emphasizes the importance of maintaining a pitch-black sleeping environment for your baby to promote sleep, especially from 6 weeks of age when their circadian rhythm begins to develop. Ensuring a dark environment is crucial both during the day and at night, particularly during daylight savings when it is still light at bedtime, and in the early morning when sunlight filters through their windows to prevent early-morning wakes 🙅🏻♀️
Affordable options include @sleepysundays.co blackout blinds, taping black garbage bags to the window frame, or using a thick black doona to wedge into the top of the head rail to block any* light filtering through their bedroom window 🪟
For long-term solutions, consider investing in internal zip track blinds or external roller shutters 🌸🩷
If despite these tips you need support in consolidating your baby’s sleep, book a consultation or download our Sleep Essentials Guide at www.settletosleep.com.au to restore sleep for you and your family 💫🩷🌸