Daylight Savings & Sleep
Daylight Savings Time is quickly approaching, and unlike when we “spring ahead” in March, the “fall back” in November can prove to be a bit trickier when it comes to your child’s sleep. Because we lose an hour on the clocks, children who once woke at 6:30am may now be waking at 5:30am. *cue panic
The good news is I am here to help you avoid those early mornings and help make this transition as seamless as possible! Whether you are a Type A personality who schedules and plans everything ahead of time, or a let’s see how things play out kind of parent, there is a solution for you.
It not only depends on your personality as a parent, but it’s also important to take your child’s temperament into consideration when making a choice on how to deal with Daylight Savings. Take a moment to think about how easily your child adjusts to change in their schedule, and then choose which of the following options would work best for your family.
If your child has a “go with the flow” kind of personality:
There is no need to adjust anything prior to the time change! There is a chance that they will wake up earlier for a period of time, but within a week they should be back on track with their normal sleep schedule.
If your child is sensitive to change in their schedule or routine:
To avoid a 4am wake up and a cranky child, you want to start preparing for the upcoming change. Starting about 1 week prior to the clock “falling back”, begin moving your child’s schedule back 15 minutes later every couple of days. This doesn’t just apply to their sleep schedule. This includes everything from eating, sleeping, bath time, etc. Once the clocks fall back, your child should already be on track with their normal schedule prior to the change!
*These tips are great for children who aren’t struggling with sleep prior to the time change.
If your child is experiencing sleep disturbances, I can help! Click here to view my support packages.
Additional Helpful Tips:
Once the clocks have changed, make sure to get outside and enjoy the daylight. Utilizing natural light (or keeping lights on in the house if going outside is not possible) helps to reset your child’s natural sleep cycle, aka their circadian rhythm.
Have patience! There might be a transition period of 1-2 weeks, so have patience with your child AND yourself.
Focus on their sleep environment. Blackout blinds, white noise… set them up for success!
If you have a toddler, this is the perfect time to utilize an Ok To Wake clock! Even if your little one wakes up early on the day of the change, they will know when it is appropriate to get out of bed.
If your child has struggled with the change, utilize an early bedtime for 1-2 nights to make up for those early mornings.
Have your coffee ready to go! Enjoy some early morning cuddles with a hot cup of coffee knowing that this won’t last forever.
Want to get your child’s sleep habits under control and set them up for success going into the time change? Click here to make a change!
