As we journey further into October, it's getting closer to that time of the year when we bid adieu to British Summer Time (though with the last couple of days of weather it does seem that Summer is hanging around!). On Sunday, 29th October, we will turn our clocks back an hour, officially marking the end of Daylight Saving Time (DST). Now, while the prospect of gaining an extra hour of sleep might sound like a dream come true, it can pose a bit of a challenge for parents with babies and young children. Adjusting their routines can be a issue, but fret not; I'm here to help you make this transition as smooth as possible.
Helping Your Baby Adjust to the Clock Change:
So, how can you help your baby adapt to a new sleeping pattern and the "bonus" hour from the clock change? Absolutely! These tips are tailored for families with babies, toddlers, or children who thrive on a structured routine. We're going to take it step by step, using a gradual approach leading up to the 29th of October to make sure your little one adjusts seamlessly.
For Babies & Young Children, Adjusting to a New Time is a Big Step:
For babies and young children, a one-hour shift in sleep and mealtimes can be quite a significant adjustment. Keeping families in mind, I've devised a straightforward plan:
1. Adjust their times in small increments:
Our body clocks are capable of adjusting to different timezones, but as we clearly didn't evolve to it (hence jet lag!) we have to make gradully changes;
If you have a baby or a 'preschool toddler,' I recommend tweaking their nap and bedtime schedules by 15 minutes every two days. This means gently moving their routines backward toward the eventual change on Sunday, October 29th. For instance, if your child's usual bedtime is 7 p.m., the first step would take it to 7.15 p.m. (See below for a weeks guide).
Ideally, you'd want to make this adjustment in six small increments. To align with the new Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) by the following Sunday, start this process on Monday, October 23rd.
For children attending school or nursery, schedule changes may need to wait until later in the week. In this case, start the adjustment on Thursday night, moving bedtimes and routines back by 20 minutes on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, so they're in sync with the new time zone on Sunday morning.
Let's take an example where we start preparing a week before the autumn clock change (assuming your child has a regular 7 PM bedtime):
Monday & Tuesday: Begin the day at 7.15 AM, push naps and meal times 15 minutes later, and set bedtime for 7.15 PM.
Wednesday & Thursday: Start the morning at 7.30 AM, shift naps and meal times by 30 minutes, and establish bedtime at 7.30 PM.
Friday & Saturday: Kickstart the day at 7.45 AM, adjust naps and meal times by 45 minutes, and maintain bedtime at 7.45 PM.
Sunday: Embrace the new schedule with a wake-up time of 8.00 AM (which effectively becomes the new 7 AM), keep naps and meals at their usual times, and set bedtime for 7.00 PM (formerly the old 8 PM).
2. Adapt their daily routine to fit in with the new bedtime:
Mealtimes play a significant role in our daily routines and help set our body clocks. As you adjust bedtime routines and sleep times, also shift your baby's and toddler's meal times, bath time, and nap times by the same amount of time.
Wishing you all a smooth transition into the autumn clock change and many restful nights ahead! If you ever find yourself struggling or need personalised guidance to maximise the whole families sleep then don't hesitate to reach out; I'm here to support you on your parenting journey. Feel free to drop me an email at laura@sleepteacher.co.uk or via WhatsApp at 0768424120
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