7 Tips for the transition from daylight saving time to standard time

Every year in October, we set back our clocks again by one hour, and this may present a challenge for parents with young kids. This time lag may disrupt your child’s sleeping pattern and cause your baby to wake up early, which in turn can lead to your baby being tired and irritable.

In this blog, baby and child coach Myrthe Stapper shares 7 tips to help your child adapt more easily to standard time. Read on to discover how you can make the transition as smoothly and stress-free as possible.

Baby sleeping

Step 1: Changed bedtime or cold turkey transition

Every family is different, and what works for one family may not be suitable for another. Consider what works best for you and your family.

Changing your child’s bedtime: You can gradually adjust your child’s bedtime by putting them to bed 10 to 15 minutes earlier and by eating earlier each day for a week before the official switchover to standard time. 

Cold turkey: Or you can reset the clock all at once without preparation. This means in fact that you will continue eating and putting your child to bed at the customary times (now at standard time, which is actually one hour earlier). This way, your internal clock will adapt to your watch as quickly as possible. Keep in mind that it may take a little longer for your child to finally adapt to the new time. Select what suits you best. 

Step 2: Daylight in the morning

Morning light is conducive to your child’s sleep rhythm. Do try go outside in the morning, even if it’s just for a short walk. The light informs the body that it is time to wake up and can help if your child has sleep problems or is an “early bird”.

Step 3: Dark room

Because it now gets light earlier in the morning, your child may wake up earlier. Make sure the bedroom stays dark, for example, with blackout curtains. This will maintain a stable day and night rhythm.

Step 4: Sleep rituals

A fixed sleep ritual will help your child relax and understand that it is time to go to sleep. Popular sleep rituals are, e.g. a warm bath, a story or some calming music. Adhere consistently to this sleep ritual as this gives your child a sense of security and helps your baby get a good night’s sleep.

Step 5: Sleep signals

Pay attention to your child’s sleep signals: is your child already tired or is it not yet able to fall asleep? Try to stick to your normal routine, but also give your child time to get used to the new rhythm. Overtiredness often backfires, so be flexible and patient.

Step 6: Activities

Adjust not only your child’s sleep schedule, but also feeding times or meals and playtime. In addition, plan fun and calming activities around the new schedule to help your child get used to it. Things like manual activities such as building or crafting things, reading, or taking a short walk can help reinforce the new rhythm.

Step 7: Patience and understanding

Every child is different, and it may take time for your child to adapt to the new time. Be patient and understanding. Small adjustments and some extra attention can make a big difference in how your child experiences the transition.

The transition from daylight saving time to standard time can be difficult and every family and child has different ways and means of coping with the transition. With the right approach, you can make it easier for your family and minimize potential harmful effects.

Remember, this transition is only temporary. With a little patience and understanding, you and your child will quickly get used to standard time. I hope the tips in this article will help you to smoothly master this transition. Also read our tips on how to ensure a smooth transition from standard time to daylight saving time!

 

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