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Daylight Savings Time is upon us. I detest daylight savings time and I hope that one day it really will be stopped. But until then, how do we deal with the time change as it relates to our little one's schedule?
My little guy is a super scheduled sleeper. We are all happier when he sticks to his sleep schedule. (Check out my post about his 12-hour/night sleeping.) So the hour time change completely throws us off. However, it can be combated. Sleep experts recommend a gradual change in their sleep time so that by Sunday they are already adjusted. This means you have to start preparing in advance!
I have seen some slight variations in the recommendations for a gradual time adjustment, but they are very similar. The most important thing is to adjust gradually instead of trying to adjust for one hour in one night. (If you want to keep your child's current sleep schedule.)
So, in my house we will be starting on Wednesday, to prepare for the Sunday time change.
Adjusted Sleep Schedule
For context, my little one goes to bed at 6:00 PM. But this schedule can be adjusted to any bedtime! I also do not go get Parker out of bed until it is time to wake up even if he is awake earlier. He usually just talks, sings, and hangs out quietly in his crib until it is time to get up.
Wednesday:
Bedtime adjustment to 5:45 PM
Thursday
Bedtime adjustment to 5:30 PM
Friday:
Bedtime adjustment to 5:15 PM
Saturday:
Bedtime adjustment to 5:00 PM
Sunday:
He will be back to sleeping from 6:00 to 6:00 as we spring forward!
Other tips:
Stick to your normal bedtime routine
Make sure their bedroom is dark at bedtime (I know I need some new blackout curtains!)
Let the light come into the room in the morning, so little ones know it is time to wake up.
Keep the naptime that your child usually takes (remember sleep begets sleep!)
Play outside in the light so your child adjusts and is ready for bedtime
Be patient! They will adjust!!
A brief note from Persistent Mama about early bedtimes from personal experience:
So sometimes it is not easy to put your little one to bed early. But it is 100% worth it because our children absolutely NEED sleep. (Check out my previous post on sleep.) So I recommend adjusting your plans.
For example: We tend to invite people over to our house because then we can put our little guy down to sleep and then still spend time with friends. We will also have a travel crib ready for their children just in case they want it. We have plans with our friends this weekend. I texted when I realized it was Daylight Savings Time and asked if they wanted to come over earlier so our boys can play together longer. I said if not, that is okay. Parker will just go to bed early and we can all still hang out. I know my whole family is happier when Parker sleeps well, so we make that a priority. I 100% recommend this.
Remember Mama, you are doing great! You got this!
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