20/03/2023
The clock change, for some it is a welcome relief from darker nights and signifies the start of spring and longer days! - But for most of us it’s a trigger for tired toddlers, dysregulated babies and exhausted parents!
So what’s the best way to prepare! There are a few options we have outlined; but in reality there isn’t a one size fits all approach to daylight saving - my daughter (Lizzie ) has always been an early riser so in reality I welcome the spring change as mentally it at least feels like we all get up an hour later ! But whatever option my suit - our top tip is ‘black out blinds’ for those light mornings!
1) Aim for a gradual change, if your little one is sensitive to changes in time, then you may want to begin to adjust their schedule just less than a week or so before. You can simply do this by bringing their entire sleep schedule earlier by 15 minutes or so every few days. Wake up time and naps and bedtime.
They should be fully adjusted by the time it comes around! (Often better for a sensitive sleeper).
• Begin on Wednesday- move everything 15 mins earlier
• Thursday - move another 15 mins earlier
• Friday- move another 15 mins
• Saturday night (night of the clock change- put your baby to bed another 15 mins earlier)
2) For a quicker change
• Friday night- move wake up, naps and bedtime by 30 mins earlier
• Saturday night (night of the clock change) move bedtime another 30 mins earlier.
3) Just change things on Saturday night ( night of the clock change)
• Put your little one to bed an hour earlier, then they can stick to this schedule moving forward.
4) Do nothing and see what happens, if you have an early riser this has the potential to work in your favour!
• Just adjust your schedule on Sunday.
• Wake your child up at their usual wake time and then do naps and bedtimes at the same time as always (essentially, you're simply following the new clock).
*While most early risers will return to their early wake ups within a few days, some will stay on the later schedule. If you have an early riser, remember that there can be underlying causes such as not enough /or too much sleep or hunger - need for connection etc*