Daylight Savings Time begins at 2:00am on Sunday, March 13. For me this always signals that summer is right around the corner. I really enjoy the nights staying lighter longer. Even as a child I was always a night owl, but some children experience sleep difficulties with the beginning of daylight savings time. Here are a few tips for helping baby adjust to the time change.
- Take little steps – In preparation for daylight savings time, gradually shift your baby’s bedtime a little bit earlier over the course of several days. For example, if your baby normally goes to bed at 8:30pm, about four days before the time changes, put baby down at 8:15pm, the next day put baby to bed at 8:00pm, and so one until baby is going to bed as close to 7:30pm as possible. This gradual change in bedtime is not as much a shock to baby’s system as is suddenly expecting to go to sleep an hour earlier.
- Regulate the lights – Your baby’s hormone, melatonin, plays a role in wakefulness and sleepiness. Melatonin production increases at night, as it becomes dark outside, and helps to induce sleepiness. The hormone shuts down when it is light out and triggers wakefulness. Daylight savings time throws this off as you may be putting baby down to sleep while it is still light outside. By rocking baby or going through your established bedtime routine with the drapes drawn and dim lighting, the body will begin to produce melatonin and help baby to sleep.
- Maintain your routine – Since baby is now dealing with a time change, it is crucial that your established bedtime routine is carefully followed. That routine signals baby that it is time to sleep.
- Be understanding – For a few days following the time change, be more sympathetic if baby is a little fussier. The time change may be the cause and these effects are short-lived.
Do you have other ideas that have worked for you in helping babies adjust to daylight savings time?
Please, share!
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