Baby and Daylight Savings: How To Prepare Baby For Daylight Savings Time (Fall Back)

This month, we will turn the clocks backwards and daylight savings will come to an end. For parents with small children, ‘springing forward’ doesn’t mean that you need to cut out an extra hour in bed. Parents of small children dread these changes in schedules, and rightfully so! When it comes to daylight savings and baby sleep, these shifts in schedules can create challenges with nap and bedtime routines. With some understanding of how the time change affects our sleep and planning ahead for our child, you can make this transition easier! So, without further ado, here’s how to do daylight savings with a baby:

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS - Fall Back

For those with small children, this is the more difficult time change because schedules are moving FORWARD one hour. Daylight savings with a baby can be especially challenging for children who are already early risers. As an example, a child who typically sleeps from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. will now be on a 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. schedule. The amount of sleep they get has not changed, but the clock has. Children who are already struggling with sleep may have difficulty adjusting to this change and it could take up to two weeks for their internal clocks to adjust.

Fortunately, there are ways to plan for this time change, let's dive into it. Here’s how to adjust baby’s sleep schedule with daylight savings more easily.

MAKING THIS HAPPEN: LITTLE ONES & DAYLIGHT SAVINGS

If your child is not sensitive to schedule changes

If your baby is a great sleeper and is typically not sensitive to schedule changes, then you don't need to do anything prior to Daylight Saving Time. After all, your baby and daylight savings might get along just fine! The adjustment is going to require very little effort on your part and is all done after the time change. You will be responding to the time change rather than anticipating the time change.

If your child is sensitive to schedule changes

You will want to gradually shift wakeup time, bedtime, and naps in the days leading up to the time change. To change our biological clocks by one hour, you will move wake time, naps, and bedtime slowly over a few days in anticipation of the time change.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS HOW TO GUIDE

The beginning and end of daylight saving time can cause disruptions to sleep for adults and children. Younger children will likely get up early after this time change, but by using the tips above and making small changes to your child’s sleep schedule before the time change, it can help ease the transition.

If you need help with assessing your baby's sleep space or have any sleep questions, please reach out to me, [email protected].  

Baby Brezza is proud to partner with sleep coach Molly Leighton. She can help you get your your baby on a solid schedule and achieve your goals. Contact Molly at [email protected], visit her website at www.sleepshore.com or follow her on Instagram (@sleep.shore) or Facebook (@sleepshore)