Spring Forward with Sweet Dreams: How to Support Your Little One's Sleep Through Daylight Savings.
Mama's it has been a long winter, and as we eagerly anticipate the arrival of spring, there's one thing looming on the horizon that might have us feeling a bit apprehensive – daylight savings time. While we're all excited for longer days and warmer weather, the thought of losing an hour of precious sleep can be daunting, especially when you have little ones to think about.
But fear not, because with a few simple strategies, you can help your child adjust to the time change smoothly and ensure that sweet dreams continue to fill your nights.
Is your little ones' sleep already a mess? Head straight to my free Spring Forward - Daylight Savings Sleep Manual and download the full breakdown on how to adjust your little ones' sleep and limit further sleep challenges!
Understanding Daylight Savings and Your Child's Sleep:
First things first, let's talk about what daylight savings time actually means for your child's sleep schedule. With the clocks springing forward, your little one will be adjusting tbedroom earlierbedtime and wake-up time. While this might seem like a minor shift for adults, if sleep is already a mess, it can wreak havoc on the delicate sleep patterns of babies and young children.
The spring forward DST can be a positive shift for chronic early birds, it balances out super early wake ups!
Will daylight savings time affect my child's sleep schedule?
Essentially, your child's sleep schedule will be one hour earlier according to their internal body clock, once we're following the "new" time on the clock. Most overtired babies and children benefit tremendously from an earlier bedtime, so this time change could be a positive change to your child's sleep!
Should I wake my child at their usual time on the day of the time change?
Only if you want to, or on Sunday, you could enjoy sleeping in! Now that's kind of a tease since your child will still sleep the same amount of hours, but according to the clock, a 6 am morning wake-up will be a 7 am morning wake-up on Sunday morning - this is why the spring forward DST is tremendous for chronic early birds, it balances out super early wake ups!
As long as your little one is ideally awake by 07:30, their body clock will start to gradually adjust and naps shouldn't be too affected.
On Monday morning if your child attends daycare or school, you might find yourself having to wake them to get them ready on time. Allow your little ones' brain to think it was their idea and wake them gently by opening their bedroom door and allowing natural light to flood in. This should wake them within 10-15 minutes!
What are the best strategies for transitioning my child to the new time change?
We have 3 options for helping your little one adjust to the time change. Let's talk about the most popular method: The Gradual Adjustment, and if your child is a sensitive sleeper, dive into my free Spring Forward - Daylight Savings Sleep Manual for the full breakdown on all 3 strategies.
1. Gradual Adjustment: Start adjusting your child's bedtime and nap schedule gradually in the days leading up to the time change. Move bedtime 15-30 minutes earlier each night to help ease the transition.
2. Stick to Routine: Consistency is key when it comes to supporting your child's sleep, especially during times of change. Stick to your regular bedtime routine as much as possible, whether it's bath time, storytime, or snuggles with a favourite stuffed animal.
3. Optimize Sleep Environment: Ensure that your child's sleep environment is conducive to quality rest. Keep the room dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature to promote restful sleep.
4. Natural Light Exposure: Take advantage of natural light to help regulate your child's internal clock. Encourage outdoor playtime during the day and dim the lights in the evening to signal the body that it's time to wind down.
5. Be Patient and Flexible: Remember that it may take a few days for your child to fully adjust to the time change, so be patient and flexible during this transition period. Offer extra comfort and reassurance if needed, and trust that your little one will adapt in their own time.
In Conclusion:
While daylight savings time may pose a temporary challenge to your child's sleep routine, with a little planning and patience, you can help them adjust smoothly and continue to enjoy restful nights and rejuvenating sleep. Embrace the change, soak up the extra daylight, and rest easy knowing that sweet dreams await on the other side.
Here's to a spring filled with sunshine, laughter, and – most importantly – plenty of Jolly Good Sleep!
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