Baby sleep tips for Daylight Saving Time

This coming weekend, daylight saving time will end, and the clocks will be set back by one hour. While this change might bring an extra hour of sleep for adults, does it affect your baby’s sleep routine? Let’s explore how this shift in time can impact your little one and how to manage it.

How the time change affects your baby’s internal clock

When the clocks move back by an hour, most adults can adapt quite easily, often enjoying the prospect of a longer night’s rest. However, babies and toddlers respond differently. Their internal body clocks are not as adaptable to sudden changes in time. For instance, if your baby typically wakes up at 7:00 a.m., after the time change, they may wake up at 6:00 a.m. instead. So, how can you help your baby adjust to this new schedule and avoid early wake-ups? Fortunately, with some preparation, it is possible.

Preparing your baby for daylight saving time

Though the effects of time changes vary for each child, there are strategies you can try to ease the transition. The key is to gradually shift their sleep routine in the days leading up to the time change.

Start by adjusting their bedtime over the course of four days. Each night, put your child to bed 15 minutes later than usual. For example, if their usual bedtime is 7:00 p.m., move it to 7:15 p.m. on the first night, then 7:30 p.m. the next night, and so on. This gradual adjustment allows their body to adapt more naturally, making it more likely that they will wake up a bit later in the morning. By the time daylight saving time ends on Sunday, your baby’s routine will have shifted enough to help avoid early wake-ups on Monday.

This gradual approach helps your baby transition without too much disruption to their sleep, giving you all the chance to enjoy a more restful morning on Monday.

Join the conversation

Are you planning to prepare your child for the time change, or will you wait to see if the extra hour affects them? We’d love to hear how you manage the transition. Join the conversation on Facebook and share your thoughts!