The end of daylight savings (or “Fall Back”) is now less than a month away. Set your calendars for Sunday, November 1st. Unlike daylight saving time most people don’t end up with that “sleep in”, but instead find their kids are up an hour earlier. Your kids’ sleep period hasn’t moved, but your clock has. end of daylight savings
I often embrace the end of daylight saving time, as it is much easier to convince my kids it is bedtime when it is dark outside, compared to now as it is still light out when they are getting ready for bed. If you are starting to worry about how you are going to handle the end of daylight saving, then you have two choices: go with the flow or prepare your kid for the clock change for the week leading up to it. end of d
aylight savings
Going with the flow.
For well-rested kids, the changing of the clocks doesn’t affect them too much. There are many social cues that a family provides, especially around the end of the day, that help kids adjust (e.g. dinner time, bath time, the bedtime routine, etc.). Quieting the house in the hour leading up to bedtime will also help provide a cue that bedtime is near. It may take about 3 or 4 days to get completely adjusted, but they won’t be too negatively affected by the clock change.
Being prepared.
If you like to be prepared you can move your child’s bedtime in 15-minute increments every 2 days for the week leading up to the end of daylight savings. The aim is to have their internal clocks at the new time right when daylight saving ends. You may find that initially, your child may not sleep later in the morning (don’t worry they’ll get there) but they have gotten used to the new bedtime, without putting a lot of stress on their little bodies. end of daylight savings
Embrace darkness.
Along with your choice on how to handle the end of daylight saving, it is important to keep the bedroom conducive to sleep to help the transition. Make sure the bedroom is dark, cool and quiet. Use a sound machine on the lowest level if you want. Blackout shades will be important to differentiate between night and day. end of daylight savings
Sunlight is key.
Get your kids out and about in the early morning sun to help adjust their internal clocks. Getting them exposed to light and darkness at the right times will help them adjust more quickly. end of daylight savings
Now that you are armed with the knowledge of how to handle the end of daylight saving, here’s hoping the transition is smooth for you and your kids! end of daylight savings
Comment below: will you go with the flow or be prepared for the end of daylight saving time?
If you need help with any sleep issues that arise from the end of daylight savings or to solve any other sleep problems, please feel free to contact Mylee at Little Big Dreamers today. Or you can schedule an appointment here. I look forward to helping you improve your child’s sleep. end of daylight savings
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