Is it okay to let them sleep with the light on?

[Llyra]

My kids all sleep together in the same room. DD1 is 5, and DD2 and DS will be 3 in a few weeks. Recently DS has developed some nighttime fears-- he's afraid of the dark, monsters, alligators in his bed, dragons in the closet, bugs crawling on him while he sleeps, grizzly bears downstairs, and just about everything else his active imagination can think of. We tried returning to cosleeping, but that's been a disaster. He's afraid of the dark just as much when he's with me as when he's alone, and he's driving me and DH crazy with his noisy restless sleeping, and with waking up every twenty minutes.

So I've discovered that with a light on, he sleeps great. No trouble at all, because when he wakes up, he can see plainly that everything is fine in the room, and he goes right back to sleep all on his own. Great! A dim night light won't work, though-- that just makes shadows that scare him even more. He needs a bright light. So I got him a desk lamp for his dresser, and he loves it.

But now I'm hearing from a few different people that maybe it's not healthy for them to sleep with the light on-- that they won't sleep soundly, that it'll affect their melatonin-release-whatever-thingie-whatzit, or that it'll affect their sleep cycles negatively.

So now I'm wondering if anybody knows more about this than I do-- if I let them sleep with the light on, possibly for a period of months or more, will it do them any harm? Is it okay/healthy for them?

[MidnightCommando]

I'm not sure if scientifically it is bad for the light to be on but I think it's better to have a light on that have DS in fear whenever he wakes up. A soft light just enough so it illuminates the shadows is the kind of light I am talking about, not a full on lamp or anything really bright. DD (3) has a light on for the same reason; it's the light in the fish tank in her room; and although she is a terrible sleeper (for other reasons), it does help alleviate the fear.

[RavenStar]

This same question has crossed my mind as well. Our DD is 3 1/2 and also needs to sleep with the light on. A hall light, closet light or night light doesn't do the trick. She needs a lamp on in her room.

[ChristyMarie]

DS (3.5) has a night light in his room. He started needing it around 2.5. Before that, pitch black was what he wanted. He also has a dim lamp that he turns on some nights. If he's in with me he doesn't need any light.

I think it is just fine. I slept with a night light but grew out of it. Heck, I leave nightlights in guest rooms when we have guests so they aren't stumbling around in the dark. Sometimes you just need a little light.

[crunchy_mommy]

I have read studies that light suppresses the production of melatonin (this is one reason that shift workers have trouble sleeping and regulating their energy levels) and you need melatonin to sleep... It also increases serotonin which boosts mood & energy... So ideally you'd sleep in the dark at night & light during the day. But practically, I'd say try it out for a month or so and if you notice any sleep problems then consider finding a different solution.

[Theia]

I've read about the melatonin/serotonin light connection, you should be able to find a couple of different studies on it. I have a brother who is a night shift worker so he sleeps during the day. A study came out about how night shift workers tend to have higher rates of heart attacks and the study believed it was partly due to these issues. That study made an impact on me because it made me think of my brother. I don't think that particular study would apply to your DC, but it is something that in the distant future could be harmful.

I don't think if its only for a few months that it would do any long term damage. But I don't think it is healthy for it to become a habit. A soft nightlight is much different than say, enough light to read by. Is there anyway you can work with your DC on their fears during the time the lights are on? The goal being that eventually they would only need a nightlight or nothing at all? Boosting a childs confidence about the dark would take time, but in the long run would be much better for their health. I've known adults that have to sleep with the lights on, like the bright white full on lights. It can't be good for them. I would accommodate your DC now but find fun and comforting ways to eventually wean them of the need for the light.