The Best Blackout Curtains for Nurseries to Help Your Baby Sleep Better
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These curtains can block light and noise, and even provide thermal insulation, to encourage your baby to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Parents / Kristin Kempa
It’s no secret that sleep can be hard to come by as a parent, especially with a new baby. Parents often turn to things like swaddles and sound machines to help their baby (and themselves) get some decent shut-eye. One method that’s proven to help improve a child’s sleep is blackout curtains. Research shows that a dark, cool room eliminates distractions, encourages the onset of sleep, and starting at age 3-4 months, even triggers a child’s brain to produce melatonin, a hormone that helps induce sleep.“Street lamps and neighborhood lights can shine through a window and get in the way of much-needed rest,” explains Betty Choi, M.D., a pediatrician and mother of two. “To block the brightness, blackout shades or curtains can help an infant fall—and stay—asleep.” We recommend choosing curtains made from non-toxic materials labeled as “blackout” rather than “room darkening.” Make sure any shade cords are secured to the wall away from children’s reach to avoid the risk of strangulation. To find the best blackout curtains for nurseries, we first spoke with child sleep and development experts. We then scoured the market, assessing each product’s thickness, materials, quality, safety, value, and additional features like noise reduction and thermal insulation.Our Favorite Blackout Curtains for NurseriesBest Overall: Better Homes & Gardens Grommet Blackout Curtain PanelBest Budget: Nicetown Blackout CurtainsBest Noise Reducing: Pottery Barn Kids Quincy Cotton Canvas Blackout CurtainBest Machine Washable: Ricardo Ultimate Black Out Grommet Panel Best Contemporary Style: Dotted Gender Neutral Blackout CurtainsBest Size Range: Pottery Barn Custom Belgian Flax Linen Blackout CurtainBest for Travel: Amazon Basics Portable Window Blackout CurtainBest Short: ChrisDowa Thermal Insulated Blackout CurtainsHow to Use Blackout Curtains SafelyWhen selecting curtains for your child’s nursery, safety considerations are paramount. Cordless curtains and shades are the best option to prevent the risk of strangulation. If you choose curtains with a cord, secure the cord away from where children can reach it. We also suggest avoiding long curtains to keep them out of your child’s reach. Window coverings should be mounted securely to the wall. “Ensure that the curtains do not hang over the bed or crib, especially as babies start to pull up onto the crib, make sure they cannot pull the curtains onto themselves,” explains Nilong Vyas, M.D., a pediatrician with Sleepless in NOLA Sleep Consulting. “Since the infant should be sleeping in their parents’ room for at least the first 6 months, blackout curtains can be placed in the parents’ room to start.”Best Overall: Better Homes & Gardens Woven Textured Grommet Blackout Curtain Panel
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Why We Like ItThese blackout curtain panels have a classic design that will complement any nursery decor. The polyester-rayon blend means they drape nicely and have a soft, flexible feel. The blackout design helps block light, reduce noise, and improve energy efficiency.It’s also easy to install since it’s hung using a metal grommet top. This curtain panel is 50 inches wide and comes in a variety of widths and colors so you can customize it to your nursery. Each panel is under $25. But Take NoteThis item is sold per panel, so you’ll need to buy at least two depending on the size of your window. Also, they are dry clean only. The Details:Type: Single panelMaterial: Polyester and rayon Size: Width: 50 inches; Length: 63, 84, 95, or 108 inchesBest Budget: Nicetown Blackout Curtains
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Why We Like ItThese curtains are proof you don’t have to spend a lot to have a beautiful nursery. For about $30, you’ll get a pair of wrinkle-free curtains in your choice of 30 colors. They come in several sizes, which will determine your actual price.Tightly woven three-layer construction ensures effective light blocking. Rather than a lining, these curtains have the same fabric on both sides. They’re OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, which means they have been tested to confirm they are free of potentially harmful substances. But Take NoteWhile not as easy to hang as curtains with metal grommets, these have nearly 2-inch pockets that allow a rod to slide through with little effort.The Details:Type: CurtainsMaterial: Unspecified Size: 30 sizes available ranging from 29 inches wide by 20 inches long to 70 inches wide by 95 inches longBest Noise Reducing: Pottery Barn Kids Quincy Cotton Canvas Blackout Curtain
Buy at Potterybarnkids.com
Why We Like ItThis thick, 100% cotton canvas curtain panel has a 100% polyester twill lining that completely blocks out light, improves energy efficiency, and helps dampen sound to keep your little one’s nursery dark and quiet.No detail is spared when it comes to these fair trade curtains, which are sold as one or two panels and available in seven colors and seven sizes. They can be hung in four different ways, including via the pole pocket, belt loop, clip rings, or drapery rings. But Take NoteThese curtains are dry-clean only.The Details:Type: Single panelMaterial: Cotton polyesterSize: Width: 44 or 54 inches; Length: 63, 84, 96 or 108 inches Best Machine Washable: Ricardo Ultimate Black Out Grommet Panel
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Why We Like ItMachine-washable linens are a must-have for many parents with young kids. That’s why we love these curtain panels: after an accidental spill, stain, or dust buildup, you can toss them in the washing machine.We also love that they’re topped with metal grommets for easy hanging and come with an attachable wand to help you move the panel back and forth. This 56-inch wide curtain panel is available in seven lengths and eight colors. But Take NoteThese are sold as individual panels and range from $59-$90 per panel depending on the length you choose. The Details:Type: Single panelMaterial: PolyesterSize: Width: 56 inches; Length: 36, 45, 54, 63, 72, 84, or 96 inchesBest Contemporary Style: EmpoweringDecor Dotted Gender Neutral Blackout Curtains
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Why We Like ItWe love these curtains’ playful, gender-neutral polka-dot pattern that will complement any nursery design. These custom curtains are handmade to order: After choosing “blackout” for the opacity and either eyelet or hook for hanging, they will arrive at your doorstep in 10 business days.They are available in 19 sizes and start at $139 for two panels (single panels and pairs are available). Other adorable print options, like florals and woodlands, can be found on the EmpoweringDecor Etsy page. But Take NoteAccording to the seller, you can expect these curtains to block out most light—about 90%—which may not provide the level of darkness you’re hoping for. The Details:Type: CurtainsMaterial: PolyesterSize: VariesBest Size Range: Pottery Barn Custom Belgian Flax Linen Blackout Curtain
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Why We Like ItNo matter how big or small your nursery windows are, we’re almost certain these curtain panels will fit like a glove. That’s because they’re custom-made to fit 23 widths between 24 and 156 inches and any length ranging from 24 to 180 inches.The panels are fair trade and made from OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified Belgian flax linen, which is known for being breathable, durable, and allergen-free. The 100% polyester lining ensures darkness and there are three hanging options. Additional color options are found on separate product pages.But Take NoteThese curtains are sold as single panels and are dry-clean only. The Details:Type: Single panelMaterial: Belgian flax linen (panel); Polyester (lining)Size: Custom Best for Travel: Amazon Basics Portable Window Blackout Curtain Shade with Suction Cups
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Why We Like ItTraveling can throw a baby's sleep routine out of whack, but a portable blackout curtain can help by keeping their sleep space dark and quiet. To install, use the Velcro to size it to your window then suction the curtain to the glass.The polyester material blocks UV rays and quiets outside noise, helping signal it’s time to sleep. We love that this curtain is machine washable and tucks away in a convenient carry case when not in use, making it easy to bring along when traveling. It comes in five colors/prints and packs of one or two. But Take NoteSince this curtain is hung by suction cups, it won’t be as secure as a traditional curtain. Keep your baby’s crib far enough away from this curtain so they aren’t tempted to try pulling it down. The Details:Type: Portable panelMaterial: PolyesterSize: 78 x 50 inchesBest Short: ChrisDowa Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains
Buy at Amazon.com
Why We Like ItRather than reaching the floor, these curtains end at the windowsill, which can be safer for your baby—especially if they’re starting to pull themselves up to stand or walk. A three-layer design blocks light out and prevents heat from escaping through the window.They feature easy-to-hang metal grommets. Thankfully, these curtains are machine washable and come in a reasonably priced two-pack of panels. They’re available in 17 colors and 21 sizes, as well as custom sizes.But Take NoteThe blackout strength of these curtains is determined by the color you choose. Darker colors block out more light, while lighter colors let more light in. The Details:Type: Curtains Material: MicrofiberSize: Varies; 34 to 52 inches wide and 18 to 120 inches long.Our Review ProcessWe aimed to select window treatments that are safe for children, durable, and efficient. Blackout curtains should block natural and artificial light, while also creating an inviting space for babies to sleep. Curtains that hang in a baby’s room should be made from nontoxic materials and adhere to the baby-proofing guidelines used in the rest of your house. We looked for curtains that are easy to clean and will grow with your baby as they age. Our ExpertsIn conducting our research, we spoke to two experts in the field of pediatric sleep and development. We then evaluated each product’s ability to meet the criteria outlined by our pediatric sleep experts: Betty Choi, M.D., a board-certified pediatrician and author of Human Body Learning LabNilong Vyas, M.D., a board-certified pediatrician with Sleepless in NOLA Sleep Consulting and a medical reviewer with SleepFoundation.org Factors to Consider When Buying Blackout Curtains for a NurseryType: There are three types of window treatments to hang in a nursery: curtains, shades, or blinds. While curtains are more traditional and come in a variety of colors, prints, and materials, shades are one piece of material that moves up and down the window via a cord or retraction. Blinds are usually made of an opaque material or have slats you can open or close, which is why they aren’t the best for blocking all light. Material: When selecting curtains for a nursery, ensure they’re made from thick, durable material that’s easy to clean. Cotton is a low-maintenance option that can often be machine-washed and doesn’t require frequent ironing. Polyester is another durable option that’s easy to clean and doesn’t wrinkle easily. Style: Ideally, the curtains you choose will match the style and theme of your nursery. We recommend classic designs that will grow with your child as they age. If the baby will sleep in your room, look for blackout curtains or shades that blend in with your decor. Additional Benefits: In addition to blocking light, many blackout curtains can also help block outside noise and insulate the room. Doing so will help your home be more energy efficient and may reduce electricity costs. Do Babies Really Need Blackout Curtains?Blackout curtains aren’t necessary, however, they can be helpful in encouraging your baby to sleep when it’s still light out. Before investing in a set, check to see if your baby’s room is naturally dark or if it faces a streetlight or gets a lot of natural light when your baby typically naps or goes to bed for the night. This will help you determine if blackout curtains are necessary. Can I Use Blackout Curtains With Blinds?Yes! Some parents may want extra coverage on their nursery window, while other curtains are purely decorative. The combination of blinds and blackout curtains can help you customize the amount of light in your baby’s room at any given time, and ensure darkness when you want it.Who We AreLaura Lu, MS, is a writer at Parents and a mom of two. She firmly believes in the power of blackout curtains and has them hung in every bedroom in her house. After purchasing from several different brands, she advises parents to choose curtains that are thick, durable, and machine washable so that ultimately, they will last and grow with your child as they age. For more Parents news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Parents.We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
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