Getting Baby Ready to Spring Forward
On Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 2:00 a.m. clocks move forward and Daylight Savings Time officially begins. Changing the clocks can throw off your baby's sleep schedule, but surprisingly, losing an hour in the spring isn’t as disruptive as turning the clocks back in the fall. Sleep experts generally agree that most kids adjust easily. Because no mom likes losing an hour or making changes to sleep schedules that are working, we’ve pulled together advice from sleep experts and parents to help you prepare your little one to spring forward.
Three Ways to Approach the Change:
Method #1: Just do it! Alanna McGinn explains in this post. "Begin by waking little ones at the usual time on Sunday morning and following your regular daily routine. Continue with the normal nap and bedtimes, and kids should be on track within a week or so.
Method #2: Slow and Steady. “Split the difference on Sunday night and Monday if needed,” suggests RoxBride, a Bump user. “In the spring, if it’s 7:45 p.m. and baby isn’t tired, go for an 8:15 p.m. bedtime. Just keep shortening that time until you get back to the 7:45 p.m. bedtime.”
Method #3: Meet You Halfway. "Think of it like jet lag and understand that your toddler may be a little cranky while she adjusts. Add an extra daytime nap for a week or two while your little one's body adapts," advises Angelique Millette, a family sleep consultant in San Francisco.
Tips from the Experts:
Routine: The key during any kind of sleep adjustment is bedtime. Having a set bedtime with a routine tells your child it is time to get ready to sleep. Be sure to adjust nap times too. Consistency is key because kids thrive on routine. If you need a little extra help try sound machines. A white noise protects your little one from any outside disturbances. The soothing sound encourages a deep, restful sleep that can help babies adjust quickly.Light: Get outside in the early morning and the early afternoon. Light tells our bodies when to be awake and when to fall asleep. Invest in good blackout curtains, and if you don’t have them you can use dark sheets or even black construction paper. If light seeps in around the edges of your curtains, attach double sided velcro tabs to your wall and to your curtains then press to seal the edges. Keeping that extra bit of light out will help you keep your baby down.
Patience: Some babies can take one to two weeks to adjust. "Think of it like jet lag and understand that your toddler may be a little cranky while she adjusts. Add an extra daytime nap for a week or two while your little one's body adapts," advises Angelique Millette, a family sleep consultant in San Francisco. Remember to hang in there and take a deep breath. Like all new routines, persistence and consistency are key.
If you find yourself struggling to adjust to the time change, you may want to try creating a sleep ritual for yourself. It's just as important for you to get your Zs!
