Help Covering Window For Sleeping Toddler

[Mom to M&M]

Hi everyone. About 6 weeks ago we sold our one bedroom apartment and moved into a large two bedroom rental in the same neighborhood while we look for something bigger to buy (and possibly move from Manhattan to Brooklyn). Up till now we always had central air. The new apartment has very good window A/Cs installed into each room with screws. However, in DD's room, the window is different and if I keep the A/C on I have to pull the shade up, leaving a lot of light streaming in. It's OK for her nap - doesn't seem to bother her. But last night I kept the A/C on for the first time and she woke up at 6:10 (and dozed until 6:30) instead of her usual 6:45-7:15 or so. See the photo attached for a better description. We tried taping posterboard to the area but it doesn't seem to keep enough light out. Any other ideas? We can't spend much money on it because it's only a temporary rental... TIA!

[Caroline-Charlies Mummy]

Ds still has aluminium foil taped over his window, and it really works (you know the stuff you wrap a turkey with to go in the oven .

It'd work for you, especially if it's a funny shape you need to cover.

Only one concern - would the A/C stream of air make it noisy? If so, you could use dark card/paper.

[Mom to M&M]

Hi Caroline! I thought about aliminum foil but DH was worried it wouldn't be safe from the heat of the sun. Silly men - I tried to explain that I cook with foil all the time, but... But you're right I am a bit worried it would be noisy with the AC hitting it. I did try the dark blue posterboard in the photo but it doesn't seem dark enough. Would cardboard be better like part of a box?

Maybe the foil would be okay as long as I make sure the stream of A/C doesn't blow at it?

[Caroline-Charlies Mummy]

Yeah, cardboard would be good, like you say, a box cut up.

The foil works for us, it's sometimes noisy when it's windy (cr@ppy windows ) but I think ds is used to that now . It might be worth just holding it up against the window and switching the A/C on, see how noisy it is.

[Mom to M&M]

Thanks - will try one or both out and convince DH that foil isn't going to heat up and burn!

[LeesMom]

Just wanted to add that we also use aluminum foil on DD's window, which is right above the vent. I was worried it would be really noisy with the air blowing right up on it, so I taped the foil down like crazy. Sure I had to use practically a whole roll of tape, but it worked fine with no noise! Good luck 

[daybyday]

I used black garbage bags...because the foil (tape kept coming loose) would rattle....