Tips to survive daylight savings with your baby or toddler! Daylight savings isn't a dirty word but it strikes fear in all parents with babies, toddlers and a sleep routine!
3 October 2021 (the first Sunday in October) for ACT, NSW, SA, TAS & VIC. On Sunday, 3 October before going to bed turn your clock forward 1 hour.
It's the time where the nights are lighter earlier, and the sun is setting late, the kids are still playing outside. A real crowd-pleaser although we lose an hour of sleep, but we gain summer!
Daylight savings effects most people and adults adjust to the change fairly quickly but it can take toddlers and babies a little bit longer to adjust to the change.
The best you can do is be prepared! We (and parents everywhere) recommend darkening babies room. You can do this by purchasing a Block Out Blind. Black out blinds are removable blinds that adhere or stick to your nursery window to block out the sun, darkening the room and fooling your tot into thinking it's night time!
The Koo-di Block Out Blind is a simple solution to help reduce the disruption to your little ones sleeping habits. Its innovative use of tiny suckers and stretchy sides allow the bedtime blind to be used on any window up to 140 x 200 cm in size - turning day into the night where ever and whenever! When not in use the whole blind folds away into a compact integrated pouch small enough to fit into your overnight bag, making it the ideal travelling companion!
The ergoPouch Window Block Out is reusable static-cling blackout blind for babies - the perfect solution for babies and toddlers who need total darkness in their room to sleep and dream the night away. Ideal for odd shaped windows as you can customise the covergae by simply cutting the roll.
A completely dark room during sleep will help stimulate melatonin production (that magical hormone that helps regulate sleep/awake cycles ), be comforting for your baby, and help prevent early waking or late settling during summer and daylight saving.
In the leadup to Daylight Savings try putting baby to bed 10mins earlier each night giving them time to settle before the clock changes.
Be aware of your baby's sleep cues and be consistent with your nightly bedtime routine in the lead up. Each family is different and you may want to introduce some calming activities, like reading a book or quiet time before bed, dim the lights and within a week or so, baby, toddler, and you will adjust to the time change naturally. You can further support your child to adjust by waking them in the morning, offering mealtimes and naps 10 minutes earlier.
The use of a Sleep Trainer can be a useful tool for toddlers and kids. A sleep trainer can help encourage better sleep habits for your toddler. A 4-in-1 design works as a sleep trainer, soother, nightlight and alarm with toddler proof easy-to-follow colour cues and music alarm to signify time for bed, almost time to get up and okay to get up.
Sending all parents extra patience and perhaps stock up on more coffee beans during the lead up to Daylight Savings!
What are your Daylight Savings tips?