Best Blackout Solutions For Your Child’s Room
One of the best ways to signal bedtime for your little one is a dark room. The darkness helps tell their body to produce melatonin, the hormone for sleep. Even though your baby’s body doesn’t stat producing melatonin until about the 12 week mark, you can still start from day one with utilizing a dark room for sleep to help them differentiate between day and night.
How dark are we talking though?
On a scale of 1-10, you want your child’s room to be at a 10. Even the slightest bit of light can be enough to prevent or interrupt sleep. Take a look at this scale to see where your little one’s room is.
Below, I’m going to cover my top blackout options. These range from easy and inexpensive to a bit more high end.
Aluminum Foil or Black Trash Bags + Painter’s Tape
These options are super cheap! Although they may not be the best looking, they do work pretty well! Bonus: if it’s summer or you live in a warmer climate, they do a pretty good job at keeping the heat out too!
I also love recommending this option for when family’s are waiting on other blackout solutions to arrive or for when traveling!
Blackout Curtains
Another affordable option as well!
Things to note:
You’ll want to get ones that extend past the window edges to block out more light.
Be sure to check the reviews, some brands aren’t as light blocking as they say they are!
Here is one of my favorites!
What I like:
So many color options!
Thermal insulated!
Noise reducing which makes them great if you live in a high traffic area or apartment!
Machine washable and wrinkle-free.
Blackout Shades
These blackout shades are a wonderful option coming in at under $20. There are two sizing options that you can cut down to customize to your windows.
What I like:
Affordable
100% Blackout
Keeps room cooler
No drilling necessary
Do not have to purchase curtain rods.
Cordless, however you do have to use a clip if you want to open them up during non sleep times.
Blackout Peel and Stick
Blackout EZ is a slightly more expensive solution, but they work great! Once setup is complete, they are pretty easy to put up and take down between sleep sessions.
What I like:
Customizable
Color options
No drilling or curtain rods needed
Noise reducing
Keeps room cool during summer and warm during winter.
Here’s a link to grab the Blackout EZ window covers!
Sleepout Curtains
These are an amazing, true, 100% blackout solution! Even better is that they can travel with you!
What I like:
Customizable
100% blackout
Over 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide
Travels easily
No drilling or curtain rods required
Grab yours here!
The SlumberPod
Here is one of my all time favorite blackout solutions! I wish we would have had this with our first son! But we have certainly put it to good use with our second! It has traveled with us to the houses of friends and family and the Caribbean.
It takes up very little room and can fit over a pack-n-play, mini crib or toddler mattress.
It also love that it was created by a mom and daughter duo and has gone through rigorous testing. There are vents for additional airflow, a spot for a mini fan and a place for your monitor camera!
This makes a great option for travel or even if your little one is room sharing with you or a sibling!
What I like:
Great solution for better sleep when room sharing
Good for travel, whether down the road or across the country!
100% blackout solution
Deters climbing for those toddlers!
Use code MINDFULSLEEP20 for $20 off your SlumberPod purchase.
Window Inserts
If you are looking for a total blackout solution that offers insulation and is aesthetically appealing, Indow Window is a nice choice. However, it is one of the more expensive options. It is customizable and easy to remove when you want to let light come in. You can store them under a bed or in a closet when you want to let the light shine through.
A dark room is a great way to help your baby sleep better and longer. Utilizing a blackout solution helps to regulate the temperature in the room, making your little one more comfortable while sleeping.
Safety Note: It is safest to place you child’s crib or bed away from windows. Keep all cords for blinds or shades out of child’s reach or use one that has a child safe cord.
Sleep easy,
Yasmin Johnston
Your Pediatric Sleep Consultant