There are a number of factors that need to be aligned in order for the average human to fall asleep. When it comes to babies, these factors can seem more than a little precarious, and we parents tend to spend a lot of time and energy obsessing over it all in the pursuit of better baby sleep. Well, its time to stop! There is no real secret to it all. Helping your baby to sleep is really quite simple, and its our mission to prove that to you. Of course, there's no accounting for your baby's personality (and that really does affect how they sleep) but as a general rule, there are many things that you can do to help your little one to drift off. This week we're looking at using your SnoozeShade as a blackout. Read on to find out more.

Why do you need a blackout?

Lots of parents assume that their child is scared of the dark. Or maybe your older child has told you themselves that they're scared of the dark. The thing is, your body actually needs the dark so that you can sleep!

In order to fall asleep, our bodies produce a hormone called melatonin. Its this hormone that sends sleepy signals from the brain and allows our body to relax and get ready for a snooze. The problem occurs when melatonin production is blocked, and this can happen all too easily, seeing as the body needs darkness to produce the hormone in the first place. So if you're placing a nightlight in your baby's room, or you're exposing them to lots of light at nap time, you're actually hindering the body's ability to produce the hormone that is going to enable them to sleep.

Put simply, a darkened environment sends signals to the brain that all is good, and the production of melatonin can begin. Once this process occurs, sleep rapidly follows. So the elimination of light, whether it is natural or not, is vital if you want to get some sleep for yourself, or for your little one.

Blackout blinds

Blackout blinds should be an essential feature of your little one's nursery, and lots of curtains will have a special lining for this very reason. If not, get your hands on a blackout blind to go underneath your curtains, or to pop over the top when its time to sleep. Creating this darkened environment at bedtime can make all the difference for early wakers too!

Using your SnoozeShade as a blackout

Alongside essential protection from the sun's harmful rays, the SnoozeShade also creates a darkened environment for better baby sleep. When fully zipped, your little one is cocooned in a dim and cosy space perfect for assisting the body's production of melatonin. What's more, there are now no further distractions or sources of stimulation to further prevent sleep- clever, huh?

If you use your SnoozeShade whilst out and about, rest assured that the hustle and bustle of wherever you are is usually no problem at nap time. Your baby's body is shaded not only from the sun, but from all that pesky daylight that hinders the body's ability to fall asleep easily. Lots of parents tell us that they use their SnoozeShade as a blackout on the pram or stroller at home too- you don't have to be out of the house!

At a pinch, if you're away without a blackout blind in the room where your baby is sleeping, your SnoozeShade will be the perfect solution for better sleep- on the go or not.

Why good sleep matters

It goes without saying that a baby who doesn't nap well is no fun to be around, but there's actually more to it than that. Each time we sleep, our bodies are undergoing a vital process of not only resting, but repairing, growing, and regenerating too. Sleep is not to be sniffed at- for babies and grown ups alike- and is actually a powerful tool for maintaining and boosting physical, emotional and social development. So do yourself a favour and get yourself and your baby into a darkened space when you need to.