When Do Babies Get Scared of the Dark

Are Babies Afraid of the Dark?

Are babies afraid of the dark? In short, no.

Babies and the Dark:

If your child is under 2 years old, any upset overnight is not due to the darkness in their room.  Developmentally, they are not yet capable of being afraid of the dark.

Consider this, your child spent almost 10 months in the (dark) womb.  Babies are quite used to the dark! Rather than being afraid of a shadow, unseen figure, or now knowing what is happening around them they find dark spaces soothing.  Although, they are very aware of a parent's concerns and anxieties! If you communicate in some way – whether verbally or through your actions – that the dark is something to be afraid of, then it may become a source of anxiety for your baby.

Another source of anxiety at this age?  Separation!  Separation anxiety can occur as early as 6-7 months, but peaks at 10-18 months. This can lead to baby being upset at bedtime, but have confidence this stems not from the dark, but from a developmental leap that helps them understand they exist separately from you!

What to do:

Be Confident

You know your baby is well-loved and in a safe space!  Exude that confidence in your mindset, actions, and words! Your baby will feed off your confident and calming energy.

Say Goodnight

Always say goodnight to your baby!  Sneaking out of the room can be scary for your baby.  It will seem as if you disappeared out of thin air! When you leave, leave.  Popping in and out can be confusing and more upsetting!

Practice

Help your baby overcome their separation anxiety by practicing throughout the day.  Tell your baby you are leaving the room, where you are going, and that you'll be back. They will learn that everything will be ok when you are gone and that you will always come back!

Give Your Baby Time

While your confidence will go a long way, it may still take your baby some time to fall asleep!  This doesn't change their sleep needs or the fact they are capable of falling asleep independently.  Give your baby extra time to fall asleep and have them in their crib earlier than you typically would until this phase passes.

Remember, it is important that your little one fall asleep on time to prevent them from becoming overtired. When they're overtired, their bodies will produce sleep-fighting hormones that will make it more difficult for them to fall asleep and may cause them to wake frequently overnight and early in the morning.

For more sleep tips, support, and more from Well Rested Baby join our FREEParenting Community. Well Rested Baby also offers FREE 15-minute discovery calls.

This post was written by WRB Director, Certified Sleep Consultant, and Certified Parent Coach, Ashley Chanter Rizzo.

Well Rested Baby is a team of Family Sleep Institute certified sleep consultants that help families like yours identify, address, and correct their children's sleep issues (such as schedules, short naps, waking frequently at night, nap and bed transitions and more). WRB also offers parenting support with a Certified Parenting Coach/Behavior Specialist.

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When Do Babies Get Scared of the Dark

Source: https://wellrestedbaby.com/blog/2020/6/23/are-babies-afraid-of-the-dark

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