How to Help Your Blind or Visually Impaired Infant Sleep

Blind or visually impaired infants often struggle with going to sleep. They often also have a hard time sticking to a regular sleep schedule. This is because infants who are blind or visually impaired have lower light perception and this disrupts their circadian cycle, making it difficult for them to go to sleep at night. [1] To help your blind or visually impaired infant get to sleep, create a bedtime routine for them and adjust their sleep environment so it is easier for them to go to bed. You can also give your infant sleep medication or other treatments to help them sleep better and longer at night.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Creating a Bedtime Routine for Your Infant

  1. Because your blind or visually impaired child cannot see light (or cannot see it well), you will need to create cues to let them know it’s time for bed. Create verbal cues and repeat them to your infant every night at the same time. This can then help your infant prepare for sleep and get used to the same bedtime every night. [2]
    • For example, you may schedule dinner for 6 pm every night. Then, one hour later, at the end of dinner, you can say to your infant, “Time for bedtime now. Let’s get ready for bed and close our eyes to go to sleep.”
    • You can also remind your infant that it is night time by saying, “It’s night time now” or “It’s 7 pm at night” so they know the time of day. They can then connect the time of day to going to sleep.
  2. You can combine verbal cues with physical cues so your infant knows it is time for bed. Have the same physical cues every time your infant goes to bed so they get into a routine. The physical cues will also help them realize what time of day it is and help them prepare for sleep. [3] [4]
    • Remember that infants younger than 3-6 months do not have a regular sleep pattern yet.
    • Recognize when your baby is showing signs of getting tired and put him to bed, so he will sleep better.
    • Set patterns by doing stimulating and exciting activities during the day and being more relaxed in the evening.
    • Give your infant the same or similar meals for dinner so they take this as a cue that it is nighttime and they will be going to bed after the meal.
    • Try styling your child’s hair in a specific way so they know it’s nighttime. For example, keep their hair down and brush their hair before bed every night to signal it is time for bed.
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  3. Prepare your infant for bed by having sensory toys and items in the bed with them. This could be a plush toy they like or a toy with a pattern or ridged sides. Keep them in bed as they play or touch these items. Having these sensory items can help your infant stay calm and relaxed while they lie down in bed. [5]
    • You can also try reading to your child as they touch the toys to help them stay calm and relaxed. Read the same story to your infant every night as part of their bedtime routine.
    • Make sure you remove the plush toys in their crib or sleeping area once they are asleep. Never leave your infant alone in their crib with plush toys, as they can be a choking hazard. [6]
  4. The key is to be consistent with your infant’s bedtime routine. Commit to the same routine and try not to deviate from it. Tell everyone in your household about the bedtime routine. Write down the routine and post it somewhere you can see it so you know when bedtime is for your infant as well as the verbal and physical cues for bedtime. [7]
    • When your infant goes down for naps during the day, make sure you remind them that is it daytime and they are taking a nap, not going to sleep for the night. You may tell your infant, “It’s 2 pm in the day, time for a quick nap.”
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Adjusting Your Infant’s Sleep Environment

  1. Infants who are visually impaired but have some sight can find rooms with too much light difficult to sleep in. However, you should still allow some natural light to come into their room during the day and then make the room dark at night. Install window coverings that you can adjust, such as adjustable blinds or shutters, so you can control how much light comes into the room during the day and at night.
    • Set up a lamp in their room with a flexible arm so you can control how much light is in the room during your infant’s bedtime routine. As your infant grows, they can move the lamp based on how much light they would prefer in their room at night.
  2. Infants who have low vision but are not blind might be kept up at night by a glare in their room. Get rid of any surfaces that may cause glare, such as television screens, computer screens, or even tables with a polished surface. Place a dark placement or tablecloth on tables in their room to reduce glare.
    • Play around with the adjustable window coverings to reduce the amount of glare that comes into the room during the day, as glare can be particularly uncomfortable for children who are visually impaired.
  3. If your infant is visually impaired but still has some sight, they may be sensitive to certain colors in their space. They could have a preferred color, such as blue or red, that they like or respond well to. Have items in their room in their preferred color, such as toys, pillows, or blankets, as they may be more inclined to sleep or relax in their room if it is to their liking.
    • Keep in mind that even infants that are not visually impaired can only see 8-15 inches away. [8]
    • Try using contrasting colors in their room to help your infant see objects better. Put colored images on a white background in their room so they can see the images better. Have pillows and sheets in contrasting colors so they are easier for your child to identify.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using Sleep Medication and Other Treatments

  1. Infants of at least 4 months who are blind or visually impaired may benefit from small doses of melatonin. Melatonin can help to set your infant’s sleep clock to a normal, regular routine. Speak to your pediatrician before you give your infant melatonin. They should specify the dosage amount for your child as well as how often you should give your child the melatonin. Never give a supplement to your child without consulting with a doctor. [9]
    • Your pediatrician may suggest you give your child melatonin in tablet or liquid form. Often it is given 30 minutes to an hour before the infant’s bedtime.
  2. Keep in mind melatonin may not work for infants who are blind or visually impaired and have a high level of anxiety or stress. Some infants find going to sleep difficult as well as other daily activities. If this is the case, your infant’s doctor may recommend anti-anxiety strategies for your infant as well as anxiety medication. [10]
    • Your pediatrician should outline the treatment options for infants with anxiety or stress. Medication will be just one option among many you can try to help your child deal with their anxiety.
  3. If your infant’s doctor recommends that you try melatonin or other medication on your child, make sure you schedule a follow up appointment to check on your infant’s progress. Have a follow up appointment in three to six months with the doctor to determine if the medication is helping and if your infant is sleeping better.
    • The doctor may recommend lifestyle changes for your infant in addition to medication to ensure they get the best treatment possible.
    • If the medication does not seem to be working, the doctor may test your blind or visually impaired infant for other issues.
  4. 4
    Seek out support groups for parents of blind infants and children. Sometimes talking to parents who have gone through the same problems can be an invaluable resource. Seek out a local group in your area.
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.perkinselearning.org/videos/webcast/good-sleep-strategies#chapter3
      2. ↑ http://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/sleep-schedule
      3. ↑ http://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/sleep-schedule
      4. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/sleep-naps-12/newborns?page=1
      5. ↑ http://www.perkinselearning.org/videos/webcast/good-sleep-strategies#chapter3
      6. ↑ http://www.familyconnect.org/info/browse-by-age/infants-and-toddlers/parenting-and-family-life-iandt/baby-proofing-your-home/1235
      7. ↑ http://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/sleep-schedule
      8. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/newborn-vision
      9. ↑ http://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/sleep-schedule
      1. ↑ http://www.perkinselearning.org/videos/webcast/good-sleep-strategies#chapter3

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