As we prepare to 'spring foward' with the clock change next week, I have had the usual flurry or questions from parents asking how best to manage the time difference without disrupting their little one's routine.
It can be an anxious time. Just when everything starts to feel a little more settled in the sleep department, it's all change!
But don't panic, there are ways to ensure the clock change has minimal impact. Take a look at my strategies for a smooth transition…
Spring Clock Change (UK) - 31st March 2024
You can choose how to approach the clock change, depending upon your circumstances and/or how you feel your child will react to the change.
⏰️ Option 1:
The simplest strategy is to put your child to bed an hour earlier on Saturday. If your child is still having day time naps, these might need adjusting slightly to ensure they are ready to sleep at the earlier time. Using this method you may find your little one takes a few days to properly adjust, but within a week they should have settled into the new timings.
⏰️ Option 2:
Four days before the clock change, start making bedtime 15 minutes earlier each night. So, if bedtime is usually 7.30pm, on the Wednesday, put them to bed at 7.15pm, 7pm on the Thursday, 6:45pm on the Friday and 6:30pm on the Saturday. By Sunday night you are on track for the 'new' 7:30pm bedtime!
⏰️ Option 3 :
Or finally, go for something in between by moving bedtime 30 minutes earlier on Friday and another 30 minutes earlier on Saturday. Again, by Sunday your child should be on Track for the new adjusted bedtime.
Other suggestions:
✅️ Ensure the bedroom environment is optimal too. Black-out blinds work really well to block out the light in the evenings.
✅️ As the nights become less chilly, consider swapping your baby's sleeping bag for one with a lower tog rating.
✅️ Depending upon where you live or if you keep windows ajar at night, white or pink noise is useful to block out external noise, which can be louder in the summer when people tend to stay out later.
If your little one does get a little out of sync, don't worry. Continue to maintain a consistent routine, following the new timings and, as mentioned above, things should settle within a few days. Importantly, don't fall into the trap of introducing new habits to accommodate the clock change. So, for example, don't let your baby sleep in for too long past the time they would normally wake. With patience and consistency, it won't be long before they begin to wake naturally.
🔆 And the good news is, it will officially be British Summer Time (BST) and we can look forward to some deliciously warm days and plenty of time outside with our families, which is fantastic for helping our children to sleep well.
For parents experiencing early rising that is not as a result of the clock change and for more than a couple of weeks, why not book a free Discovery Call with me? I can help you to unpick what is going wrong and get your child's sleep back on track.
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