How to Handle Daylight Savings Time (and One Less Hour of Sleep) With Your Babies
The weather is beginning to warm up and the sun is staying out a bit longer every night, which can only mean one thing - it’s time to “spring forward.”
Daylight Savings may be one of the most dreaded nights of the year for parents, but it doesn’t have to be. That one-hour time change doesn’t have to disrupt your baby’s sleep schedule, or yours. Here are our top tips for navigating Daylight Savings so you can stick with your regular nighttime routine, as if nothing ever changed.
Slowly Adjust Your Schedule Throughout the Week
A few days before Daylight Savings, start adjusting your baby’s schedule by 15 minute increments. Each evening, put your little one to sleep 15 mins earlier than the night before. Then, wake them 15 mins earlier the next morning. Slowly work up to the full one-hour time difference, and, by Sunday, you’ll be set with a new schedule. Smaller adjustments like this won’t seem like such a big change for you or your baby, which will help Daylight Savings feel like a normal weekend.
Stick To Your Regular Schedule During the Day
Try to stay on schedule with your day-time routines, so that your baby is getting plenty of sleep during the day. Having an overtired baby at bedtime will only make the transition tougher, and make them more tired. Be watchful of their sleep cues during the day and ensure they are getting enough naps leading up to their bedtime.
Spend Plenty of Time Playing
Along with needing plenty of sleep during the day, your baby also needs plenty of activity. Keep them active and playing with their baby toys, to help tire them out for bedtime. It’s also helpful to expose them to plenty of daylight. Open their curtains to let the sun shine in, or spend time outdoors if the weather is warm enough.
Keep Your Bedtime Routine the Same
If you’ve established a bedtime routine, stick to it! Even though you’ll be starting it sooner. If you haven’t, it’s not too late to start. Prep for bedtime with a bath, cozy baby pajamas, a book and lullaby. Having a routine like this helps indicate to your little one that it’s time for bed.
Keep Their Room Dark
One of the best indicators that it’s time to sleep is a dark room! Invest in some blackout curtains or tape dark construction paper to the windows to keep the light out. Any light peeking through the shades can have a big impact on your baby’s sleep.
This one-hour change can be managed! Take things slow and approach Daylight Savings with a little bit of prep. And remember, those bright, sunny days of summer are just around the corner.