Scared of the dark?

wifey626

My little guy is a week old. The first couple nights I slept in a recliner with him because of my C-section, knowing it would be difficult to get up and nurse. He was fine with me those nights with the lights off. Now we would like him to sleep in his bassinet, but whenever we turn the light off he starts to cry and cannot be calmed. We've had success leaving a lamp on in the room, but hubby cannot sleep like that. We need a new solution. Has anyone else dealt with this? Can a newborn really be scared of the dark?  

camillaandcarson

Your husband can get an eye mask. Problem solved. Sleep wins. Newborn wins. With more sleep actually everyone wins. 

Bellodomani

I mean, if you're actually asking if newborns can be afraid of the dark, the answer is no. Feeling fear requires you to be able to create an abstract representation, which is cognitively not possible until about age two. Newborns are cognitively basically just a bundle of sensory impressions. However, it's definitely possible that the presence of the light is a soothing sensory sensation to him, in which case @camillaandcarson nailed it with the eye mask suggestion. 

JoMunson

I don't think a newborn could be afraid of the dark anyway because the womb is light tight. 

ayeshaohara

Mine didn't like it when we turned out the lights for the first couple of weeks. We keep a night light on now. Makes it easier for MOTN feeds and changes too. I also found the white noise machine seemed to help too. 

TinaTho

I agree with all suggesting an eye mask... I actually use one at times when I can't settle down, but overall DH and I prefer some ambient light on so its easier to check on DD in the middle of the night ... And we aren't stumbling around blindly either when she's crying at 2am. In addition, Phillips Hue lights are a great alternative to night lights and the bulb color settings can be more soothing than a standard light/night light in my opinion. 

Also, I love the white noise machine we have- I have it set up across the room so it doesn't obscure any noises she makes in the night. Marpac DOHM-DS White Noise Sound Machine, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HD0ELFA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_SDjvxbCQT77EY 

Bellodomani

TinaTho said:

I agree with all suggesting an eye mask... I actually use one at times when I can't settle down, but overall DH and I prefer some ambient light on so its easier to check on DD in the middle of the night ... And we aren't stumbling around blindly either when she's crying at 2am. In addition, Phillips Hue lights are a great alternative to night lights and the bulb color settings can be more soothing than a standard light/night light in my opinion. 

Also, I love the white noise machine we have- I have it set up across the room so it doesn't obscure any noises she makes in the night. Marpac DOHM-DS White Noise Sound Machine, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HD0ELFA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_SDjvxbCQT77EY 

Yes! I've been through 3 sounds machines (my friend's kid is a lunatic and chewed thru the cord on TWO of them while sleeping over) and this one is the best because it isn't digital noise, so you don't get weird oscillating pitches. 

TXmamatobe

@Bellodomani chewed through the cords??! 

baby-2-due

I leave the tv on until LO falls asleep. When she moves to the nursery she will have plenty of light due to our security light being straight out from her window. I also use a white noise machine for day naps because she won't let me put her down otherwise.

Bellodomani

@TXmamatobe This kid is next level crazy. And you'd think I would have learned my lesson after the first sound machine but no, it took me two

JessicaB0627

Bellodomani said:

@TXmamatobe This kid is next level crazy. And you'd think I would have learned my lesson after the first sound machine but no, it took me two

Does he not get electrocuted?! I'm so confused. I've never heard of a kid chewing through cords?!

Bltbear82

JessicaB0627 said:

Bellodomani said:

@TXmamatobe This kid is next level crazy. And you'd think I would have learned my lesson after the first sound machine but no, it took me two

Does he not get electrocuted?! I'm so confused. I've never heard of a kid chewing through cords?!

More details, please! Is this something he regularly does?!

TXmamatobe

I can't quote right now but still can't get over the cord chewing!! 

Bellodomani

So, both times that it happened we just woke up in the morning to the noise machine being off, the cord chewed up enough that they didn't work anymore but not totally thru the cord, and he was asleep on the floor next to the machine. At their house she now basically has any electric things in his room mounted on a very high shelf. Also he's 4 now (he was 2 then) so he's still a maniac- severe ADHD and I would guess probably some sensory stuff will be diagnosed at some point- but he's moved on to other behaviors like smearing his poop on the wall or spitting on kids at preschool I love him to death because he's basically like a nephew to me, but he is a very challenging child.