Are you ready for the time change? More importantly – is your child ready?
This coming weekend, we “Spring Forward” and turn our clocks one hour later. Although it’s nice to get an extra hour of daylight in the evenings, it can really throw off your child’s sleep schedule.
But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!
Here’s how to adjust your little one’s sleep as we spring forward:
- Sleep schedules need to be shifted one hour earlier.
- Make these adjustments in either 15 or 30-minute increments, every 2 to 3 days, depending on the age of your child and what they can tolerate.
- Start each adjustment in the morning by waking your child up slightly earlier than they would normally wake up.
- You can start early to be in line with the “new” time as of Sunday, or you can wait until after the time change to start making these adjustments. Whatever works best for your family.
Here are some examples:
STARTING EARLY
WAITING UNTIL AFTER THE TIME CHANGE
What to expect as you adjust your child’s sleep schedule:
It can take 1-2 weeks for any of us to adjust to changes in our sleep schedule. So, give it time and patience.
If your child already has healthy sleep skills, they should be able to handle this time change pretty easily. Continue to be consistent with your child’s sleep routines and with your expectations around their sleep. Any disruption to their sleep schedule should be mild and short-lived.
If, however, your child has some sleep challenges you’ve been unable to overcome, they’re likely going to notice and feel the effects of this time change a lot more.
Need help getting your little one sleeping well before (or after) the time change? Book your Free Sleep Evaluation Call today.