As a parent, we all know how crucial sleep is—for your baby, your family, and yourself. As the founder of LatchLight, a product designed to help parents navigate the most brutally exhausting phase of early parenthood—the sleepless nights and endless feedings of a newborn—I’ve witnessed firsthand the powerful impact a well-rested family can have on health and well-being. In addition, the research behind LatchLight, combined with my experience as a mom of two who has been through the trenches of those sleepless nights, has shaped everything I’m about to share. With my background in healthcare and patient advocacy, I’m thrilled to offer insights on how light, color, and sound can help you create a peaceful, restorative sleep environment during those long nights. Let’s dive into how these elements can transform your space into a sleep sanctuary for your loved ones.

The Role of Light in Sleep

Light has a profound effect on our circadian rhythms, which help regulate sleep. Bright or blue light in the evening can trick our bodies into staying awake longer, so it’s important to create a sleep-friendly lighting environment as bedtime approaches.

What Can You Do?

• Dim the Lights: As night falls, start to reduce the brightness in the room. Soft, warm lighting is ideal for signaling to your body that it’s time to wind down.
• Control LED Light Exposure: Even the smallest light sources—from clocks, chargers, or monitors—can affect melatonin production and disrupt your body’s natural sleep cycle. Using tools like the SleepBetter DarkOut Stickers by LatchLight can help block out unnecessary light and keep your sleep space as dark as possible.
• Choose the Right Light for Nighttime Depending on the Task: When waking up during the night for soothing sessions or helping your baby sleep, it’s important to choose the right light. Bright or blue light should be avoided, as it can disrupt melatonin production and make it harder to fall back asleep. Opt for pure red light to create a low-light environment that won’t disturb your sleep cycle. For moments when you need to see something clearly—such as checking your baby’s latch, measuring formula, or checking a diaper—use a blue-reduced, near-red light. This provides better visibility while still minimizing sleep disruption.

Pure Red Light vs. Blue-Reduced Warm Light: Choosing the Right Light Color for the Right Moment

Red light is an excellent choice for nighttime use because it has minimal impact on melatonin production, helping you maintain your natural sleep cycle. It’s great for general illumination during soothing sessions or when you're trying to get your baby to sleep, as it won’t fully wake you or your baby. 

While red light is ideal for creating a calming, low-light environment without disrupting your circadian rhythm, there are moments when you need more clarity than what red light can offer—such as checking your baby’s latch during night feeds or measuring precise amounts of formula. Red light scores low on the Color Rendering Index (CRI), meaning it doesn’t illuminate colors or details well. In these cases, opt for a near-red, warm-colored light. This provides a better balance of visibility and low light, allowing you to see what you need without disturbing your sleep cycle.

Newborn Night Feeding Lighting

As a mom who’s been there, I understand how challenging nighttime feedings can be, especially when you’re exhausted and sleep-deprived. That’s why I created LatchLight - to provide directional, sleep-friendly lighting designed specifically to illuminate your baby’s latch during those crucial early days of breastfeeding. The hands-free, wearable design allows you to navigate nighttime feedings with ease, while the targeted, directional glow in a near-red, blue-reduced light helps you see without disrupting your sleep cycle. I also added a silicone tip specifically for adjusting your newborn’s tiny lips into the right position for a better latch, and it’s removable for easy cleaning. The glow-in-the-dark handle means you can find it in the dark without having to turn on another light, keeping you in sleep mode. I created LatchLight to be simple, easy to use, and stress-free—because, as a mom, I know that simplicity and convenience are everything during those sleepless nights.

Using Sound to Create a Sleep Sanctuary

Sound is another key element in sleep. While total silence might sound ideal, many children (and adults!) benefit from some background noise to help them fall and stay asleep.

Why White Noise Works:

• White noise mimics the sounds babies were accustomed to in the womb, providing a comforting background hum.
• It can mask other sounds, such as traffic or pets, that might otherwise wake a sleeping child.
• A gentle white noise machine can be a lifesaver for creating a consistent sleep environment. And with the help of a product like SlumberPod, you can further reduce environmental distractions, ensuring a restful, uninterrupted sleep.

Small Changes, Big Impact

By adjusting light, color, and sound in your home, you can significantly improve the quality of sleep for your entire family. Whether you’re making small changes to your child’s nursery or rethinking the lighting and noise levels in your own bedroom, these adjustments are simple yet effective ways to create a sleep environment that promotes rest and rejuvenation.

Also, when traveling, it can be challenging to mimic the ideal sleep environment. Hotel rooms and unfamiliar spaces can disrupt your family’s sleep routine. That’s where tools like SlumberPod come in. For me and my family, SlumberPod was a game-changer. By creating complete darkness, it helped maintain the same sleep-friendly environment we’ve worked so hard to set up at home. This small addition to our travel routine made such a difference, ensuring that we (and our little ones) slept better while away—allowing us to enjoy our vacations a little bit more!

As a parent and healthcare advocate, I believe that sleep is essential for our well-being, and the more we can do to foster healthy sleep habits, the better. With these tips and the right tools, such as SlumberPod and LatchLight, you can take a big step toward ensuring that everyone in your family enjoys a better night’s sleep…because every sleep second counts (especially during those newborn days!).

Latch on Parents – There’s Light Ahead!