Are you struggling with a toddler who has been sleeping through the night, in a pitch-black room, for many months and has now decided they are scared of the dark? Guess what? YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

Many kids will struggle with gasping this new idea of something, “scary.” These are feelings and they are appropriate at this toddler age of 24-months and older. IF your child is younger and having these feelings, they are probably evolving from an older sibling!

There is no need for being alarmed about your child’s new feeling of being scared of the dark. There are many things to put in place to ensure that their feelings are validated, and sleep is still happening.

FIRST THINGS FIRST:

Let’s ensure that your little one has a great sleep foundation first, before we try putting other steps in place. Before the nighttime scares interrupted your child’s sleep, were they able to sleep independently throughout the night? We want to make sure they are receiving consistent communication of what is needed from them. This ability to sleep independently helps create a consistent routine and expectation. After this ability to sleep independently, then, they can overcome any obstacle.

These steps below will help you put other stages in place that will allow your child to continue their amazing sleep habits.

Introducing a nightlight.

I know. What the heck Brooke??? You have been preaching a PITCH-BLACK room from newborn stage, and now a nightlight? YES.

Not just any light though. No closet light, or hallway light, but an actual light either plugged into the wall or attached to their sound machine system, such as The Hatch.

1. We are first going to buy The Hatch and figure out how to work it ourselves.

2. WE are then, going to discuss with the child what this new gadget is for and what it is not for.

3. We will discuss with the child that they can choose three different colors to use as their nightlight.

4. Set the nightlight at a 30% brightness and ensure that it is either blue, orange or red. These colors will not disrupt their natural melatonin levels and cause more disruptions.

5. Ensure the nightlight is in eyesight, but not able to be touched or played with as the child is laying in their bed.

PS. NO STARS OR MOVING NIGHTLIGHT.

Introducing or new discussion about a Snuggy/Lovie.

Ensure that your child is over 12 months before introducing an item in their crib.

If you have introduced a snuggy before your child has become afraid of the dark let’s, ensure that there is only ONE lovey/snuggy that they want to bring to bed with them. Having multiple may confuse them. If they have to have more than one, I ask that it not be more than two.

What to do!

1. Enter their room with the chosen sleep lovey. Set the lovey on their bed and have your child with you.

2. Role play! Have fun! Script –

a. Hey foxy! I know that Lucy has chosen you to sleep with throughout the night, so I want to ensure that you are able to keep her snug and safe!

b. When Lucy is scared at night let her rub your head, so she knows that she is safe and can get back to sleep to get her rest.

c. Lucy, do you promise to keep foxy safe too?

3. At bedtime remind Lucy and foxy (lovey) that they are safe, and sleep is important.

If they have never slept with a snuggy before or have never chosen one to sleep with then, take them to the store, let them choose one of their liking and discuss with them the importance of their new sleep item.

Conversation with your little one & FUN GAMES.

Why is your little one suddenly afraid of the dark? Have they seen something on television? Have they entered the age where feelings are really well known and being scared is new to them? Has someone mentioned “ghost, monsters, or bad things?”

Ask your child. What is needed from you and hold the boundary of not interfering too much.

Ensure their feelings are validated, but also, help them understand what pretend is and what is real.

Some things to say,

“Movies and games mention monsters and ghost, but those are not real. They are pretend, and if you do not want to pretend then, you do not have to.”

“Mommy likes to check in on you during the night. Do you know how mommy does that?” Show them the monitor and let them know that you will always ensure they are safe.

PEEK-A-BOO : Kids love games, but also, this game teaches your little one that mommy may disappear, but also, RETURN!