Some light at night is unavoidable: a 3am feed, a bathroom trip, a child who needs settling. The goal is to see what you need without switching the whole house back to daytime.
Why red, why dim
Your body clock is least responsive to long-wavelength red light, and dim light of any colour is a weaker signal than bright light. Dim red light is the gentlest option for the middle of the night.
Where to put it
- Nursery: a red bulb in a lamp on the far side of the room, not shining at the crib.
- Bathroom: a red bulb in a plug-in lamp or night fixture, so the overhead light stays off.
- Bedside: for reading the last few pages before sleep.
- Hallway: low and indirect.
Safety first
Use bulbs only in fixtures rated for their wattage, keep lamps and cords out of reach of children, and never cover a lamp with fabric.
Educational content, not medical advice.