Daylight Savings Time and Babies

It’s our least favorite time of year…Daylight Savings Time. Why do we even still have this? Whoever invented this obviously did not have kids.

So, how do you survive daylight savings time with kids and babies? Should you start beforehand by gradually moving everything forward 15 minutes at a time? Do you wait until the clocks change? We are here to give you all the tips!

The best thing you can do is Follow the Clock. Whenever you have a question about what you should do around Daylight Savings Time, use this as your mantra. We do not recommend adjusting your children’s schedules gradually beforehand because, no matter which way you do it, there are going to be several days worth of adjustment and, it is really hard to only have your baby following the “new” time.

Instead, on Saturday night, put your baby to bed at the normal time. Sunday, once your clocks have changed, wake them up at the new time. Since this is Fall Back, this means they will likely be awake before the clock says it is time for them to be up. This is normal! Start teaching their body that it’s not time to be awake by letting them stay in their crib or bed until as close to your desired waketime as possible. This may mean giving them a few toys or books to entertain themselves and they may not make it all the way until the “right” wakeup time. That’s ok! It takes a few days for their bodies to adjust.

Then, follow the clock as best you can throughout the day ending with bedtime at the new normal or early.

For young babies, you want to balance this shift with making sure they do not get overtired. I like to do this by having one, amazing, long, contact nap. Hold them, drive them in the car, go for a walk….whatever it takes to get baby a great nap and catch back up to their desired schedule.

Remember, it even takes adults a few days to adjust to new schedules so don’t worry if your baby needs that as well. Give lots of grace, early bedtimes, comfort food, and relaxing baths. You’ll make it!