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Easy dimmed lighting for nighttime tasks
bedtime | DIY | furniture and decor | sleep |
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Newborn babies do not have a good grasp of night vs. day, and one of the ways to get them to learn the difference is to "enforce" the laws of nature. Ideally, during the day the baby should nap somewhere with indirect natural light. Conversely, at night the baby should be encouraged to sleep (and inevitably awaken) in relative darkness.
But baby’s need for darkness often conflicts with the parental need to change diapers, avoid tripping on the dirty laundry, and figure out where the baby’s mouth is. In short, you need some kind of low-level lighting for nighttime tasks.
Please note: If you have an incandescent (traditional filament), or torchiere-style bulb on your nightstand light, please do not do this, as you will create a fire hazard. Those bulbs get really hot, and you should never place anything near them. With that in mind, with a CFL or other fluorescent bulb, I’d advise one of these stylish and fun solutions to making a bedside lamp into a dimmed light for switching on and off while you are in the room performing necessary tasks and don't want to overly "wake" your baby.
Take care that your new nightlight modification doesn’t shift and touch the bulb, which can create overheating, and please note that this hack is only intended for short periods when you are in the room feeding, changing, or puttering around. Other than that, enjoy your newfound ability to feed the baby at night without stepping on the dog! - Leigh G.
But baby’s need for darkness often conflicts with the parental need to change diapers, avoid tripping on the dirty laundry, and figure out where the baby’s mouth is. In short, you need some kind of low-level lighting for nighttime tasks.
Please note: If you have an incandescent (traditional filament), or torchiere-style bulb on your nightstand light, please do not do this, as you will create a fire hazard. Those bulbs get really hot, and you should never place anything near them. With that in mind, with a CFL or other fluorescent bulb, I’d advise one of these stylish and fun solutions to making a bedside lamp into a dimmed light for switching on and off while you are in the room performing necessary tasks and don't want to overly "wake" your baby.
- Place an old woven straw cowboy hat over the lampshade, allowing the tiny slits between the hat to let out little bits of light
- Using wooden clothespins to safely affix the edges, artfully arrange a red or orange bandanna over the pre-existing lampshade. A silk scarf would also work.
- Find a cute paper gift bag (like the ones you probably got at the baby shower) that your lamp will fit in. Cut small holes all over the bag with scissors or a hole puncher. Include a larger one at the base of the bag for the plug to run through. Place the light in the bag- now light will filter through the holes, and out the top, but not directly at the baby or you.
Take care that your new nightlight modification doesn’t shift and touch the bulb, which can create overheating, and please note that this hack is only intended for short periods when you are in the room feeding, changing, or puttering around. Other than that, enjoy your newfound ability to feed the baby at night without stepping on the dog! - Leigh G.
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