The Clocks are Changing!

As the October clock change looms I have had quite a few parents contact me to ask how to best help their child cope with the time difference without disrupting their little one's routine.

It can be an anxious time. Just when everything starts to feel a little more settled in the sleep department, it's all change!

But don't panic, there are ways to ensure the clock change has minimal impact.

Take a look at my strategies for a smooth transition…

October Clock Change (UK)

You can choose how to approach the clock change, depending upon your circumstances and/or how you feel your child will react to the change.

1. The simplest strategy is to put your child to bed an hour later on Saturday. If your child is still having day time naps, these might need adjusting slightly to ensure they are able to make it through to the later time. Using this method you may find your little one takes a few days to properly adjust, but within a week they should have settled into the new timings.

2. Four days before the clock change, start making bedtime 15 minutes later each night. So, if bedtime is usually 6.30pm, on the Wednesday, put them to bed at 6.45pm, 7pm on the Thursday, 7.15pm on the Friday and 7.30pm on the Saturday. By Sunday night you are on track for the new 6.30pm bedtime!

3. Or finally, go for something in between by moving bedtime 30 minutes later on Friday and another 30 minutes later on Saturday. Again, by Sunday your child should be on Track for the new adjusted bedtime.

Ensure the bedroom environment is optimal too. Black-out blinds work really well to block out that early morning sun which can disturb your baby's precious slumber. As the mornings get chillier you might also want to think about setting your heating to come on in the early hours to ensure the room stays warm and baby doesn't wake up due to the cold.

Spring Clock Change (UK)

The spring clock change will work in much the same way, except the opposite. So, instead of moving bedtime later, you will move it earlier.

If your little one does get a little out of sync, don't worry. Continue to maintain a consistent routine, following the new timings and, as mentioned above, things should settle within a few days. Importantly, don't fall into the trap of introducing new habits to accommodate the clock change. So, for example, don't bring baby into bed with you in the morning if you don't usually, just because they have woken early. Instead, try to stick to the wake up times. If your child is happy to amuse themselves in their cot until it is time to get up, great. If not, and they get upset, do offer them comfort and reassurance but try not to get them up until the agreed wake up time. If you do get them up, this could start to become the new normal. With patience and consistency, it won't be long before they begin to sleep until a more reasonable time.

For parents experiencing early rising that is not as a result of the clock change and for more than a couple of weeks, why not book a free Discovery Call with me? I can help you to unpick what is going wrong and get your child's sleep back on track.

Book a Free Discovery Call