How to Ease Your Child Into Daylight Saving Time: A Parent's Guide
It's almost that time of year when we "spring forward" and adjust our clocks for Daylight Saving Time on March 10th. If the thought of changing time sends a wave of panic about your child's sleep routine, fear not! We're here to provide you with effective and simple strategies to ensure your little one adjusts smoothly to the new schedule, just like the gentle spring breeze.
For parents of early birds, there's a golden opportunity to help your child sleep later. Get those tips here →
Step-by-Step Guide to a Seamless Time Transition for Your Child
1
Sunday Morning: Don’t Change a Thing
Yes, you read that right. Skip the clock change on Saturday night. Start your Sunday as usual — coffee in hand — and then update your clocks that evening. This gradual approach helps soften the impact of the time change, making it a smoother experience for your family.
2
Sunday Evening: Begin The Bedtime Transition - Use The "Halfsies" Method
Ease into nighttime changes. Adjust your child's bedtime in 30-minute increments for three nights, effectively halving the hour difference. This strategy prevents the bedtime battles and eases your child into the new time.
How IT WORKS
If your child's usual bedtime is 7:00 PM, you'll aim for 7:30 PM from Sunday to Wednesday. This slight adjustment helps their body clock gradually adapt to the new time, making the return to a 7:00 PM bedtime on Thursday feel natural.
Example:
Regular Bedtime: 7:00 PM
Bedtime for 4 days [Sunday - Wednesday]: 7:30 PM
This will “feel” like it is a half-hour earlier than the normal bedtime to your child, since the clocks have moved forward 1 hour.Bedtime on 5th day [Thursday]: 7:00 PM
This will “feel” like it is another half-hour earlier than the bedtime at which your child’s been going to sleep. But after a few days, your child will become adjusted to their normal schedule again in the new Daylight Savings Time.
3
Nap Adjustments: Applying the "Halfsies" to Daytime Naps
(Use Wake Windows Where Necessary)
Naptime needs attention, too. Don't overlook the importance of naps in this transition! Use the same gradual approach for naps, starting with a 30-minute delay.
How it works:
If the first nap is usually at 10:00 AM, shift it to 10:30 AM for the first four days post-time change. Depending on your child's wake windows, adjust subsequent naps similarly. By Thursday, revert to the regular nap schedule.
EXAMPLE:
Regular 1st Nap Time: 10:00 AM
1st Naptime for 4 days [Sunday - Wednesday]:
Wake Window Schedule: 10:30 AM + follow wake windows after this nap
2-Nap Schedule: 10:30 AM + second nap moves later by 30 MINS
1st Naptime on 5th day [Thursday]: 10:00 AM
Key Takeaways for a Smooth Transition
Adjusting to Daylight Saving Time doesn't have to be a daunting task. With patience and our step-by-step guide, your child will adapt to the new schedule in no time. Remember, it might take a week or two for your child to fully adjust, so practice patience and try to keep your spirits up! This is temporary.
These strategies are designed to make the time change as effortless as possible for both you and your child. Here's to longer days, warmer nights, and uninterrupted sleep for your little ones!
