Clock Changes

Clock changes happen whether we agree with them or not. Some people (usually people without young children) don’t mind them, others tolerate them but for a family with a young child or a baby they can really change the sleep dynamic you have worked so hard on.

Unfortunately there isn’t anything you can do to stop the clock changes but you can change the way you baby or child responds to them.

Fall Back:

For older children you can talk to them about going to bed a little later and make it exciting. You can use clocks in their rooms to discourage them from getting up too early when the clocks go back. For younger children and babies you should start preparing about a week in advance and move bedtime later by 10 minutes each night until it is moved by 1 hour. the mornings will take a little time to follow but they will. You absolutely shouldn’t ignore this one as a little one who currently wakes at 6 could be waking at 5am or earlier following the October clock change. Keep your consistent bedtime and nap routine going and remember to adjust nap timings accordingly.

Spring Forward:

Let’s be honest even those who don’t have young children don’t love this one. An hour less in bed but for families with young children it can help move an early riser (albeit temporarily) to give parents a more sensible wake up time. This one is easier to fix itself as parents can wake at a normal time for the day and follow nap structure and after 1 or 2 nights things should be back to normal.

Just remember not to ignore any changes in sleep that the clock changes bring about. look out for them and address them sooner rather than later to get your harmonious routine again! And if you do need extra support book a trouble shooting call and we can iron things out together.