Autumn - that time of year where the nights are darker, and the sun is setting early. This time change is a crowd-pleaser, we technically GAIN an extra hour of sleep (or do we?)
While moving the clock back one hour is something that makes us sleepy for a couple of days, our adult bodies adjust to the change reasonably quick. And it is very likely your little one will be wide awake at 5am requesting Bluey f or the tenth time that morning.
It can take toddlers and babies a little longer to get back into the swing of things. We understand the confusion of adjusting your little one's sleep. We understand the fear of change affecting our little one's sleep and ergoPouch have compiled their top tips for adjusting to the time change.
Remember, what's going to work with each family is entirely different. You may want to introduce some calming activities or quiet time before bed, dim the lights and make it clear bedtime is coming. The good news, within a week or two, baby, toddler, and you will adjust to the time change naturally."
END of Daylight Saving | Sample Bedtime Plan
If you continue with your current bedtime schedule, your little ones may find it hard to settle for sleep on the first day of Daylight Saving as it will be an hour later than their bedtime the previous day. If you can prepare ahead of the time change, you can adjust their wake up and bedtime by 10 minutes for the week prior.
You can start a few days before the following example:
*7.00 pm bedtime, for example
- Monday: 7pm
- Tuesday:7.10pm
- Wednesday: 7.20 pm
- Thursday: 7:30pm
- Friday: 7.40pm
- Saturday: 7.50 pm
- Sunday: 7.00 pm (DST Ends)
End of Daylight Saving Tips
- Minor changes will help your child to adjust their body clock gradually
- You can further support your child to adjust by waking them in the morning, offering mealtimes and naps 10 minutes later
- If you have missed out on getting ready ahead of Daylight Saving, you can apply the same method for the first week following the time change
- Stick to the same schedule; it keeps things regular for you and your little one
- Make sure your little one is sleeping comfortably in appropriate sleepwear and layers according to the temperature.
- Have some patience with your child while adjusting to the time change; they may be a little tired and grumpy for a week or so
Daylight Saving Time starts | 2nd April 2023 (the first Sunday in April).
- Australian States: ACT, NSW, SA, TAS, VIC
- When local daylight time is about to reach, Sunday, 1st October 3am clocks are turned FORWARD 1 hour to Sunday, 1st October, 4am.
Good luck, you've got this!