The best baby light projectors to soothe them to sleep

When it comes to your baby's sleep cycle, us parents are willing to try just about all the baby sleep aids and baby night lights to help them drift off, and this is where the best baby light projectors come in. Whether that is a star projector, a whole galaxy projector or even a soothing sunset, these soothing baby sleep aids could help calm your little one to sleep and keep them occupied if they do wake in the night.

Even better? If you do have to make a trip into their room in the small hours, a projector will negate the need for turning on a bright overhead light, similar to a breastfeeding night light. This means that both of you should get back to sleep quicker. Result.

Although these light projectors might be made specifically for babies, many toddlers, older children and even adults also find them calming and double up as a brilliant toilet night light for kids (and grown ups). There's also no need to exclusively use them at bedtime. Whether you're having a little disco party in your kitchen or fancy getting things cosy for a movie night in, light projectors are very versatile.

The best baby light projectors shortlist:

• Best underwater-themed light projector for baby: Pabobo Underwater Effects Projector Whale – Buy now at Amazon
• The best award-winning light projector for baby: BT Audio Baby Monitor 450 – Buy now at Amazon
• Best stylish light projector for baby: Skip Hop Moonlight & Melodies Nightlight Soother – Buy now at Amazon
• Best three-in-one mobile and projector: Infantino Dream Buddies 3-in-1 Projector – Buy now at Amazon

To help you find the best baby light projector for you and your baby, our parent testers have put these light projectors to the test, considering the light designs, ease of use, power and safety features to help make your decision easier.

If you’re not already an Amazon Prime member, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial, to access great savings on all items for your sweet bubba!

The best light projectors for babies 2023:

How to choose a light projector

Budget – First up, consult your budget. As with all baby gear, you don't want to spend a lot. Especially on something you're not sure your little one will like.

Power – Have a look at where the electrical sockets are in relation to your baby's crib, as you don't want your baby to be dazzled by the light of a projector or to be able to grab it from their cot.

Safety features – Consider how important having an auto shut-off feature is. These are particularly useful if you're watching how much energy you're using or if you can get anxious about electrical equipment staying on in your baby's room.

Extra features – With all the different sleep aids you can buy for babies, it's often just easier to have an all-in-one light projector that also features things such as lullabies, white noise, clock, temperature reading and more to give you one less thing to worry about.

What types of light projectors are there?

There are a few different light projectors that you can opt for when choosing one for your nursery, bringing the night sky indoors.

Star projector - It can be quite simplistic in design and will often feature a projection of star-shaped patterns that can be lit up in different colours to soothe a young child to sleep.

Galaxy projectors - A little bit more realistic, galaxy projectors feature exactly that, stars, the moon, planets, and even the milky way. Gorgeous to look at and one that you can keep as your child gets older to teach them about the cosmos.

Sunset lamp or moonlight projector - If you're looking to pick something that you will also enjoy during a nighttime feed, how about a sunset lamp? It projects a warming golden hour light that mimics the sun going down. Or how about a moonlight lamp? An orb decorated with the same pattern as the surface of the moon emits a warm, calming glow.

Benefits of light projectors for babies (and mums!)

Not only do they make a room feel cosier and look very cute, there are also some brilliant benefits.

They make night changes and night feeds a lot easier as you're not scrambling around in the dark. A gentle light may also help you stay awake during those night feeds.

In terms of benefits for your baby, the science to back this is very limited. This is because light of any kind, particularly blue light, can have a detrimental effect on your baby's sleep. Particularly if the light is moving, this can even encourage baby to stay awake for longer.

In short, they provide more benefits to us parents than they do our little ones.

How often will you use a light projector?

If you're looking to set a bedtime routine with your baby, then it's likely every night, your light projector will be used so they can soothe themselves to sleep while taking in the patterns projected onto the walls and ceiling.

How much money should I spend on a light projector?

There's no need to break your budget when it comes to selecting the perfect star projector or galaxy projector. Our picks range from £20 to £50.

Are light projectors safe?

Yes, so long as you follow the basic rules when it comes to plug and socket safety, including all electrical lights and keep small parts away from children. And do keep an eye out for product recalls.

What colour light is best for babies?

Shades of amber and red are best for newborns and babies as they mimic the colour of a twilight sky to help them drift off to sleep. These colours can also help relax the muscles which can be helpful if your baby has been stirring. in the night.

Ambers and reds also have longer wavelengths which means they won't disrupt their heart rhythm.

Do newborns need total darkness?

To give your baby (and let's be honest, you) the best chance of sleeping through the night, it's a good idea to keep your baby's room as dark as possible during the night. This is the case for both newborns, those over 6 months in their own room and also toddlers. Just like we can get woken up by light, they can too, so it's important to keep any light to a minimum.

The light from light projectors and night lights are dim enough not to disturb baby's sleep but light enough to provide some comfort and relaxation and also some guidance when you are entering their room so you can see clearly.

Georgina Terry is a digital editor and regularly writes for Mother&Baby. She's mum to an extremely handsome toddler, and her interests include rock and roll, weekends away and cheese.