It's a question I asked myself a lot with my first child, and the answer surprised me: there's really no minimum age for introducing a nightlight. You can use it from birth if you feel the need, but the ideal timing really depends on your situation and your baby.

For my three children, I started using a nightlight as soon as they got back from the maternity ward, but not for them at first, more for me! It enabled me to navigate their room for night-time nappies and feeds without turning on the ceiling light, which would have woken us both completely. The soft light allowed me to see enough without disturbing their sleep or my own, so I could go back to sleep afterwards.

Around 4-6 months, when baby starts to develop an awareness of his environment and perhaps some anxiety about waking up in complete darkness, the nightlight makes sense for the child himself. It was at this age that I really noticed that my babies seemed more serene with this reassuring little light.

The period from 18 months to 3 years is often when nightlights become truly indispensable. It's the age when the famous fear of the dark appears, when the rampant imagination turns every shadow into a potential monster. My eldest daughter went through this phase around the age of 2 1/2, and the nightlight became her best nocturnal friend. Without it, bedtime turned into an exhausting battle.

But beware, there are also times when it's best to avoid or reduce the use of the nightlight. If you notice that your baby is having trouble falling asleep or waking up more often since you introduced the nightlight, it may be that it's too intense or poorly positioned. In this case, don't hesitate to adjust the intensity, the color or even to take a break.

Personally, I also use the nightlight during important transitions: moving house, moving to a big bed, the arrival of a little brother or sister, returning from vacation. These moments of change can be anxiety-provoking for children, and the nightlight provides that reassuring continuity. When my son moved from the cradle to the cabin bed, his nightlight was there, like a familiar beacon in this new big bed.

Listen to your instincts as a parent and observe your child. If he's sleeping peacefully in complete darkness, a nightlight isn't necessary. But if you feel that a little soft light might help, don't hesitate to introduce it. There are no strict rules: every child is unique and has his or her own needs for comfort.