How to Sleep with a Nightlight

People suffering from nyctophobia or fear from the dark must sleep with nightlight on. Children are especially prone to having illuminated room during sleep. Having some sort of light during night comes very handy if you have a habit of nocturnal visits to the toilet of the fridge, or you just want a glass of water after midnight. However, if you use night light, you might want to reconsider after reading this.

A study done at the University of Pennsylvania suggested that babies younger then 2 years old sleeping with a nightlight have greater risk of suffering nearsightedness later in childhood. Children who slept with the night light on had more then double chance to develop myopia then the children who slept in dark. This study was however, contradicted by researches done at Ohio State University and New England College of Optometry. These showed that the percentage of nearsighted children who slept with the nightlights is about the same as the children who slept in the dark. Karla Zadnik, a co-author of the Ohio study said that the previous results were influenced by the fact that researchers didn’t take into account parents’ nearsightedness, unlike her team.

Also, there are some connections between night lights and serious problems related to sleeping disorders, impaired abilities and general feeling of tiredness, even if we had a good night sleep. It seems that our body needs complete darkness in order to be fully rested during the night.

More serious reason for concern is recent suggestion that lack of darkness during sleep can lead to cancer. Professor Russell Foster, who teaches visual neuroscience at Imperial College in London claims that our organism doesn’t produce melatonin unless we sleep in dark room. Tests done on animals showed that melatonin can protect them from developing a cancer, and even though it is not quite clear what it does in human body, there are voices who suggest that it can have similar role. If it is right, this theory could quickly lead to the expulsion of night lights from our bedrooms.

There are already studies that have shown that night shift workers, who are exposed to strong lights during night, have much higher risks of developing certain forms of cancer.

Even if this is established as a medical fact it won’t be an issue for those people who can turn their night lights off. But what of those who are still more afraid of monsters in their closets then serious illness? They may not have the luxury of turning the switch off.

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Different opinions and advice around the web:

Will a Nightlight Affect Your Baby or Child's Sleep? | Sleepytot Blog

When the lights go off, your little one is in darkness and this can be frightening. A nightlight is the solution but how will it affect your child’s sleep?

Publish Date: 04/29/2010 11:44

http://www.sleepytot.com/blog/?p=219

Use of a Night Light During Baby's Sleep Time | Baby Care Journals

A newborn baby does not need to have a night light to sleep well. Tiny babies can sleep well anywhere, at any time of the day or night. It is only as they.

Publish Date: 01/13/2010 23:56

http://babycarejournals.com/24/use-of-a-night-light-during-babys-sleep-time

Help baby sleep – early primary Toddlerhood

Help your child feel comfortable and safe in their room at night, just give him soft nightlight and music, and try to prevent bad habits from the start that sleep is the future. with this Your children can sleep at night your child to a …

Publish Date: 03/06/2010 23:11

http://seerelatedstory.com/?p=151

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