How to help your baby adjust to Daylight Savings!

On Sunday the 24th of September the clock will 'Spring' one hour forward. This means your little one will go to bed one hour earlier than usual. Newborns are generally not affected by Daylight Savings but older babies & toddlers might have a difficult time adjusting. We have some handy tips and tricks to make the transition smooth and easy. 

• Baby steps. This is the MOST important step. Start early - even as early as 7-10 days before the actual day (daylight savings is on Sunday the 24th)! Gradually adjust your child’s nap and sleep times by 5 to 10 minutes each day before the time change so the shift is more gradual for them. Moving naps and bedtime a tiny bit EARLIER each day, will help your little one adjust gently and very gradually.
• How to adjust bedtime? If bedtime is normally 7pm, start one week prior. On the Saturday make it 6.5opm, on Sunday 6.45, on Monday 6.40, on Tuesday 6.35, on Wednesday 6.30, on Thursday 6.25, on Friday 6.20, on Saturday 6.10 and finally on Sunday 6.00pm (which will now be 7pm!). 
• Have plenty of outside time. Make sure to have a lot of time to play and run around outside in the week leading up to Daylight Saving with a lot of exposure to natural light. Fresh air is always a great recipe for a good sleep!
• Normal routine. Having a regular bedtime routine can help your child be ready to drift off. Following regular steps (just a little earlier every day) from dinnertime to bedtime, such as bath & story time, will help your child slow things down and be ready to snuggle up. Stick to the routine even as the time changes so that your child understands what’s expected.
• Limit screen time at night. Avoid screen time up to at least 1.5 hour before bedtime. The bright lights will keep your little one up thinking it is daytime.
• Keep the room dark. Even if it is still light outside when you’re putting your child to bed, make sure the room is completely dark to encourage sleep. Room-darkening blinds keep the light out at night and can be opened in the morning to wake the body up.
• Keep the room cool. Keep your child’s room cool so his body wants to sleep. Babies and toddlers should sleep in sleeping bags heavy enough to keep them warm while older kids can snuggle up with a comfy blanket.
• Breathe deeply and keep calm. Although it might be at times frustrating to get your little ones to adjust to the new time, remember that they’re just listening to the cues their bodies are giving them when they have trouble falling or staying asleep. Work on making changes to the environment, schedule or routine that will help their bodies sleep.

Good luck helping your little ones adjust. We would love to hear how you get on x

For more info on sleeping bags and how to keep your little one warm at night click here