Daylight Savings and Baby Sleep: How to Prepare Your Baby for Daylight Savings
Even the slightest change in a baby’s routine can disrupt their circadian rhythm and sleep. Thankfully, parents can learn how to prepare baby for daylight savings ahead of time. Learn tips and tricks from experienced parents for getting your baby to sleep and enjoy more rest as you “spring forward” or “fall back.”
How to Adjust Baby Sleep for Daylight Savings
Daylight savings begins in March, when clocks move ahead an hour. There’s more daylight in the evening, but we also lose an hour of sleep at night. Daylight savings time ends in November when we fall back an hour, and it gets darker faster. Both time adjustments can affect a family’s sleep for a while. Here are some tips for altering your child’s sleep schedule to wake up at a different time.
Start Shifting Sleep a Few Days Before Daylight Savings
Gradually adjust your child’s nap times and bedtime. Some families do it the Thursday before daylight savings, so they can change their sleep schedule without impacting their weekly routine. To spring forward, shift the time earlier each day. To fall back, slowly move daily sleep times backward.
Adjust Sleep Based on Age
If your baby is over six months old, adjust nap times and bedtime by about 15 minutes daily. Newborns and babies under six months old might need to change more slowly, while some will not be impacted. Toddlers can often handle a 20- or 30-minute shift every evening.
Take Your Little One’s Lead
When your baby or toddler is waking up off-schedule or seems overtired, it’s alright to shift their sleep more slowly. It can take several days for some children to adjust to daylight savings baby sleep. Be patient and try to allow for more rest as necessary.
Babies and Daylight Savings: Spring Forward
March means it’s time to spring forward. Your little one’s bedtimes and nap times must also be earlier. How do you get on track without disrupting your baby’s sleep schedule? Make it 15-30 minutes earlier each day for at least three days. If you need to fix an early rising schedule, make bedtime an hour later than usual. Try meals or naps an hour later than expected. You can also try exposing your child to bright light in the evening so they’ll stay awake for a while.
Babies and Daylight Savings: Fall Back
Parents are usually excited to “fall back” and gain an hour of sleep. To reap the rewards, your baby must adjust to the same sleep schedule. You can prepare for the end of daylight savings by making your child’s bedtime and naps a little later than usual. Do this gradually, for at least three days, by 10 minutes or more. You can also try waking up 10 minutes later each day.
Sleep Well for Daylight Savings
Now that you know how to adjust baby sleep for daylight savings, what happens if you don’t change your schedule? Some families have different winter and summer bedtimes, which works fine! Don’t worry if “going with the flow” is more your style. If your baby and family are happy, you can choose the sleep schedule that works for you. We’ll help keep your baby cozy no matter the time of year. Check out our soft nursery essentials, including blankets and bedding, for babies of all ages. Shop our baby pajamas for the most comfortable styles for bedtime and naps.