[Miss Anthropist]

My 15 month old DD is a terrible sleeper, typically waking hourly overnight. Her day sleeps were bad too, but are improving. A few months ago I put blockout fabric over her bedroom windows and I think it helped improve her sleep a bit, allowing her to sleep in a bit later in the morning and to sleep better during the day.

We have just got back from a few days away and the bedroom where we stayed wasn't very dark, consequently she only got 8 hours sleep overnight (with multiple wakeups as usual), rather than her usual 12 hours.

Am I creating a long term problem for myself / her by darkening her room? Perhaps she'll always have trouble sleeping anywhere that's not completely dark. What are your thoughts / experiences?

[MakeLoveNotBacon]

I honestly would not worry about it. Whatever works. Hell I'd swing naked from the chandeliers if I thought I could get 12 hours out of my kids.

[Lolpigs]

I honestly would not worry about it. Whatever works. Hell I'd swing naked from the chandeliers if I thought I could get 12 hours out of my kids.

LMAO!

This totally, who cares so long as they sleep?

[Therese]

I am in the whatever works camp. Sleep is precious.

[Miss Anthropist]

who cares so long as they sleep?

Sure she sleeps, but it is extremely hard for her to get to sleep. Given that she typically wakes anywhere between 6 and 12 times a night, sleep is something I think about a lot. And if I'm potentially causing future sleep problems for her (i.e. if, even when she's older, she finds it really hard to sleep anywhere away from home because the room isn't completely dark), then I care.

ETA I am particularly interested in hearing from anyone who might have older kids who slept in completely dark rooms when little - can they sleep anywhere now?

This post has been edited by LILLIANA1: 24/01/2013, 10:13 AM

[Liz75]

Please dont worry about it. I have always put my kids to sleep in a darkened room and admittedly we did have problems sleeping elsewhere when they were little for their day naps ie they would go to sleep but not sleep as long as at home, but now they are 18months and three and it makes no difference.

We just got back from a camping trip, so think light in the tent until the sun goes down, and it was difficult to get the kids to go to sleep but once they were asleep they slept in till 7/7:30 which is normal wake time.

[Z-girls rock]

Sure she sleeps, but it is extremely hard for her to get to sleep. Given that she typically wakes anywhere between 6 and 12 times a night, sleep is something I think about a lot. And if I'm potentially causing future sleep problems for her (i.e. if, even when she's older, she finds it really hard to sleep anywhere away from home because the room isn't completely dark), then I care.

ETA I am particularly interested in hearing from anyone who might have older kids who slept in completely dark rooms when little - can they sleep anywhere now?

maybe this is not helpful but I just want to say - maybe she is just like that?

I STILL wake up several times a night. always have. always will.

there is nothing that can be done about it.

I dont sleep in a darkened room. in fact I prefer a light room because I can tell what time it is without waking myself up more by checking a clock.
Ever since I was little I have been a very light sleeper. I would rarely get more then 7 hrs per night. Very early riser.

I am just 'sayn. everyone is different...

[Miss Anthropist]

Please dont worry about it. I have always put my kids to sleep in a darkened room and admittedly we did have problems sleeping elsewhere when they were little for their day naps ie they would go to sleep but not sleep as long as at home, but now they are 18months and three and it makes no difference.

We just got back from a camping trip, so think light in the tent until the sun goes down, and it was difficult to get the kids to go to sleep but once they were asleep they slept in till 7/7:30 which is normal wake time.

Thanks Liz.

[Miss Anthropist]

maybe this is not helpful but I just want to say - maybe she is just like that?

I STILL wake up several times a night. always have. always will.

there is nothing that can be done about it.

I dont sleep in a darkened room. in fact I prefer a light room because I can tell what time it is without waking myself up more by checking a clock.
Ever since I was little I have been a very light sleeper. I would rarely get more then 7 hrs per night. Very early riser.

I am just 'sayn. everyone is different...

I hadn't thought of this possibility - thanks.

[crocodilessnap]

My DD sleeps in a completely dark room as well and has done since she was a few months old. We are away at present and the room is in is anything but dark (ie she keeps telling me to turn out the light) Its been a bit harder to get her to sleep during the day and she is waking a little earlier which is a pain but I'd prefer a few issues on holidays than issues constantly at home but that's just our personal preference