How to survive Daylight Savings Time - “FALL BACK” - with babies and kids
Stressed out about Daylight Savings this weekend? Let me help you!
Here is a step-by-step outline for how to handle "Fall Back" this Sunday, November 5th with babies and toddlers:
1. Do NOTHING to prepare. Yep, you heard me right! Not the usual Rooted in Routine way, but in this case, it’s truly easiest.
2. On Sunday (day of the time change), we "fall back" an hour. This means that we gain an hour in our day. Sunday will have 25 hours. When our body feels like it is 7:00am, the new time on the clocks will say 6:00am.
3. Expect that your baby or child will wake up "early" on Sunday. This is because their body will naturally wake up at their normal time, but the clocks will now be one hour earlier. For example, if your baby typically wakes up at 7:00am, they will likely wake up around 6:00am (on the new clocks).
4. Shift your child's entire schedule earlier by 30-60 minutes on Sunday. This is because their body will feel tired "earlier", since we gained an hour in the day. By shifting their schedule, you help prevent over-tiredness.
Here are some examples:
5. On Monday, your child should wake up a bit closer to their normal time. If not, it's okay! Regardless, plan to shift their entire schedule only 15-30 minutes earlier (for each nap and for bedtime) on Monday. This helps bring you closer to their normal routine.
6. By Tuesday or Wednesday, they should be back on their normal routine! Remember, some children adjust easier to sleep schedule changes than others. Be patient and know that they WILL adjust.
*Note: If your child is still waking super early by mid-week, try leaving them in their crib/sleep space for a few extra minutes each day as to not perpetuate the early morning waking.
7. Remember, let your child get outside as much as possible on Sunday (and Monday and Tuesday!) Exposure to natural sunlight helps reset the body's circadian rhythms and can help make these schedule shifts easier.
Remember, this is not a perfect science. Some children are more sensitive to sleep changes than others. Do your best to observe your individual child and take their individual needs into account. Your routine may look a bit messy for a few days, but they WILL adjust!
Questions on Daylight Savings and your child’s routine? Comment below!