Old fashioned light bulbs work by causing a filament to glow, (incandescent), and therefore can be dimmed.
Most low energy bulbs work like granny's old neon tube; they ignite a gas that is contained in the tube which glows. This can only glow at one rate, like a glow worm. Hence it can't be dimmed in the conventional way.
For the record, using a dimmer actually costs more than a conventional on/off switch.
If you want a low level of light for your nursery, why not put a low wattage bulb in a lamp and a brighter bulb in the main light? You can also buy little plugin units that just glow softly in the wall socket. (We use on of these in the hall for night trips to the bathroom)
MW
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