Daylight Savings time is right around the corner and if you’re at a point where you’re finally getting your baby’s sleep routine down, this might trigger some panic.
We’ll be the first to tell you that there’s no need to worry and all the progress you made will not go down the drain.
With some simple adjustments and monitoring, your child will be able to sleep soundly in no time. Take a look at some of our top tips to consider, below.
1. Adjust your child’s naptime schedule
One of the first thoughts when it comes to adjusting your child’s sleep for Daylight Savings is that you’ll have to completely craft a new bedtime routine. Before you go all the way back to the drawing board, know that you don’t necessarily have to start from scratch.
Instead, on the day of the change, and for 3 days after, bump nap times and bedtimes forward by 30 minutes. If your child’s first nap is 9 am, bump to 9:30 am. If their bedtime is 7 pm, bump to 7:30 pm. Do this for 3 days and then jump back to regular times. The extra effort to do this will be worth it. As a result, you’ll have a well-adjusted baby, and more peace of mind for you!
2. Use blackout blinds
Yes, having the extra hour of sunlight is wonderful, but when it comes to your child’s sleep, it may cause some disruption. This is where blackout blinds become your best friend.
Because babies have trouble distinguishing between sleep time and awake time, blackout blinds can help keep the sun out and create a nice dark room, even when it’s still light outside.
When it comes to Daylight Savings time, or simply just keeping your baby’s sleep space peaceful, dark and comfortable, blackout blinds are well worth the investment. They’re also a great essential to bring with you if you and your child are sleeping away from home!
3. Use Sound machines
With the early mornings of Daylight Savings comes more sunlight and morning birds up at the crack of dawn. Sure, those sounds are a lovely reminder that spring is in full swing, but it’s also another thing that can disrupt your baby’s sleep.
Sound machines set to white noise are great to block out the noise outside, especially during your child’s light stage of sleep. The sound creates a familiar and comfortable sleep environment for them. You can keep the sound machine on the entire night and during their naps. They’re also another great asset to take with you if you’re sleeping away from home.
4. Try Toddler alarm clocks
Also known as “OK-to-wake” alarm clocks, these are a great tool for setting desired sleep and wake times.
These clocks allow you to set a time based on when you decide it’s okay for your child to wake. At the desired time, the clock will change colours signaling to your child that it’s okay for them to wake and be active, or to sleep for longer.
These clocks can make it easier for a child over three years old who can comprehend and be able to follow a schedule and clock cues.
5. Don’t Panic
Remember that even if you make a plan and feel on top of things, it may not quite go according to schedule and that’s OK! It typically takes people a full week to fully adjust to a time change, and this applies to children, too.
Take a breath, relax, and keep things simple by sticking to a steady daily routine. Like we always say, children love routine and most will naturally adjust to the time change within a week or so. Don’t give up!
6. Recognize if your baby, infant, or child is having sleeping issues that go beyond adjusting to time changes
Sleep is important for our babies and for the entire household. Not only is Daylight Savings an excellent time to implement some of these adjustments, but it’s also a great time to evaluate your family’s sleep patterns.
What’s been working for you and your family, and what hasn’t? If you find that you are still struggling with this our team of professional sleep consultants are here to help you.
Set up a FREE 15-minute consultation call with a sleep consultant at WeeSleep today to see if we’re a good fit.