By Jessica Ackerman
The right kind of lighting is important for creating a suitably comforting environment for a newborn.
Not only does the baby benefit from good lighting in the bedroom, but you will too, as you care for him or her at odd hours of the night. General low lighting and task lighting are the basic essentials, while nightlights and decorative lighting are great to have as well.
Low light
As they adjust to the world outside the womb, newborns are very sensitive to bright and harsh light. Keeping the lighting low will help comfort your baby, especially at night when you want to help him or her go back to sleep after a feeding. An ideal lighting solution is to have a dimmer switch installed to regulate the general lighting in the room. A dimmer would be ideal for the ceiling light, recessed lighting, or wall sconces. The room can be brightened when needed, and dimmed down when your newborn needs less stimulation and you need to relax.
Nightlights
Since their stomachs are small, newborns need a frequent replenishing of milk, usually every three to four hours. For the first few weeks especially, a newborn will need to nurse every two hours. Since you can expect to wake up regularly in the middle of the night, having sufficient lighting is essential so that you can find your way around easily. You might want to place nightlights in your own bedroom and in the hallway leading to your newborn’s room, so you can see where you are going and don’t need to fumble around for the light switch.
Decorative lighting
Decorating the nursery is often a parent’s source of excitement and pride, and helps the parents prepare psychologically for the arrival of the baby. Whether you choose to outfit your newborn’s room in a fun, animated theme, or a classic, luxurious décor, the light fixtures in the room can greatly enhance the ambience. Some like to have a crystal chandelier that serves as a focal point in the nursery, while others place lighted mobiles that entertain the baby, or revolving lamps that cast soothing light shows. It is a good idea to choose decorative lighting that your child will likely continue to enjoy when he or she is older.
Table lamps
Task lighting that provides focused light over a specific area is a necessity for a newborn’s bedroom. You will need adequate light to check the baby’s diaper, change his or her clothes, or prepare a bottle for feeding. A table lamp is great to have for these purposes, placed on top of the changing table or dresser. It makes the job easier when you want to reach for supplies in the middle of the night. Make sure the electrical outlet is hidden behind furniture and that the cord is secured out of the way as soon as the baby is old enough to crawl or walk around by him or herself. Safety should be the first priority in a baby’s room.
Article by Jessica Ackerman of WallDecorandHomeAccents.com - your top place to buy outdoor wall art sculptures and tropical wall art.
