Help me blackout my infant's closet crib in parents' bedroom!
March 6, 2020 6:35 AM Subscribe
My infant sleeps with her crib in our bedroom closet, about 2/3 of the way in. But I think I want to further create a blackout effect so she doesn't wake up with the sun, and so we have some privacy, too. Can you help me craft something?
Our infant is two months and overall a solid sleeper, but we're getting into where she makes associations and she definitely seems to wake extra early when the room gets light. The goal here is to not have too much light reach her in the morning so she sleeps a little longer, and to also create some privacy for us in our bed, so we can maybe read a book in the same room when she's sleeping and have a little light.
There are two accordion doors on the window-facing side of the crib/closet, which create a lovely wrap-around effect for much of the crib area. But the one side, which we could easily cover with a blanket or another folding screen, provides glare from the sun, as well as the top of the whole setup.
We could get blackout curtains for us (even though we don't really want to since we'd like some light during the morning for us personally, and the ones I've seen tend to be expensive and not cover the top of the windows where most of the issue seems to be)... and like I said, we'd like to be able to turn our bedside lamps on sometimes, too. We could drape fabric all over the top and the exposed side, but wouldn't that be too suffocating and a SIDS-issue? I was even thinking possible getting some kind of curved curtain rack for the ceiling, but still not sure if that's enough air.
Here's a pic of the crib set up, window (there's another window to the left), and the pseudo-wrap-around door.
Any ideas or links to products would be appreciated! There seem to be a lot of possibilities.
(also, just a note -- not looking for "sleep training" or any other resources, and not looking to move my kiddo's crib since we only have a one bedroom. Just trying to limit the amount of light (and eliminate most of it!) hitting my kiddo's crib. Thanks!)
Our infant is two months and overall a solid sleeper, but we're getting into where she makes associations and she definitely seems to wake extra early when the room gets light. The goal here is to not have too much light reach her in the morning so she sleeps a little longer, and to also create some privacy for us in our bed, so we can maybe read a book in the same room when she's sleeping and have a little light.
There are two accordion doors on the window-facing side of the crib/closet, which create a lovely wrap-around effect for much of the crib area. But the one side, which we could easily cover with a blanket or another folding screen, provides glare from the sun, as well as the top of the whole setup.
We could get blackout curtains for us (even though we don't really want to since we'd like some light during the morning for us personally, and the ones I've seen tend to be expensive and not cover the top of the windows where most of the issue seems to be)... and like I said, we'd like to be able to turn our bedside lamps on sometimes, too. We could drape fabric all over the top and the exposed side, but wouldn't that be too suffocating and a SIDS-issue? I was even thinking possible getting some kind of curved curtain rack for the ceiling, but still not sure if that's enough air.
Here's a pic of the crib set up, window (there's another window to the left), and the pseudo-wrap-around door.
Any ideas or links to products would be appreciated! There seem to be a lot of possibilities.
(also, just a note -- not looking for "sleep training" or any other resources, and not looking to move my kiddo's crib since we only have a one bedroom. Just trying to limit the amount of light (and eliminate most of it!) hitting my kiddo's crib. Thanks!)
We use this: Snooze Shade. If you're willing to swap that crib for a Pack-n-Play, this thing is the holy grail.
posted by juniperesque at 8:46 AM on March 6, 2020
posted by juniperesque at 8:46 AM on March 6, 2020
Dream tent? I have 2 and use them for privacy/ darkening while car camping. You can also google sleep tent. If you use anything like this, attach it to the outside of the crib; this stuff isn't tested for infant use.
an alternative is a nightlight to reduce the It's light out, let's get up response. Also, Daylight Savings starts this weekend, so dawn is an hour later. Bit of a reprieve there.
posted by theora55 at 9:22 AM on March 6, 2020
an alternative is a nightlight to reduce the It's light out, let's get up response. Also, Daylight Savings starts this weekend, so dawn is an hour later. Bit of a reprieve there.
posted by theora55 at 9:22 AM on March 6, 2020
Blackout curtains (or add the less-expensive lining element to the curtains you have), maybe with a wraparound rod. Or a vinyl window cling to darken the room. Or use a folding screen close to the bed. (I, too, worry about air circulation if the closet area was further enclosed.) And yeah, things will improve after this weekend.
posted by Iris Gambol at 10:53 AM on March 6, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Iris Gambol at 10:53 AM on March 6, 2020 [1 favorite]
I just bought some cheap blackout fabric on eBay and put it up by thumbtacking to the window frame. Won't win you a centerfold pic in Beautiful Home Decoration magazine, but it gets the job done.
posted by splitpeasoup at 8:55 PM on March 6, 2020
posted by splitpeasoup at 8:55 PM on March 6, 2020
Response by poster: Hi all!
Wanted to follow up -- I used a track for the ceiling (this one) as I_am_a_fiesta suggested, and also removed the door, and solved the no ventilation issue by surrounding both the crib/nook area AND the nearby changing table area to make it a much bigger space, as well as by adding a tiny fan inside on the changing table to recirculate some air for peace of mind.
Going to line the gap between the curtain hooks and the ceiling with some black felt for total light blockage.
Thank you so much for the great suggestions!
posted by knownassociate at 1:08 PM on May 17, 2020 [1 favorite]
Wanted to follow up -- I used a track for the ceiling (this one) as I_am_a_fiesta suggested, and also removed the door, and solved the no ventilation issue by surrounding both the crib/nook area AND the nearby changing table area to make it a much bigger space, as well as by adding a tiny fan inside on the changing table to recirculate some air for peace of mind.
Going to line the gap between the curtain hooks and the ceiling with some black felt for total light blockage.
Thank you so much for the great suggestions!
posted by knownassociate at 1:08 PM on May 17, 2020 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 8:28 AM on March 6, 2020 [1 favorite]