How to Ease into Daylight Saving with a Baby or Toddler

Start of Daylight Saving Time – Southern Hemisphere

We've reached that time of year where the nights are lighter, and the sun is setting late (hello summer, and balmy nights ahead!). This time change is a crowd-pleaser, we technically lose an extra hour of sleep, but we gain summer!

While moving the clock forward one hour is something that makes us sleepy for a couple of days, our adult bodies adjust to the change reasonably quickly. Your little one will likely be wide awake at 8pm, wondering why the sun is still up and requesting they stay up as the sun is up. We can thank that glorious summer sun. #sorry

It can take toddlers and babies a little longer to get back into the swing of things. We understand the confusion of adjusting your little one's sleep. We get the fear of a time change affecting sleep full stop (we've been there), so we've compiled our top tips for adjusting to this significant change.

To help ease you into the swing of things, may we present the team from ergoPouch (aka real mums) top tips for adapting to the time changes.

Australia Daylight Saving Time | 1 October 2023  

• Australian States: ACT, NSW, SA, TAS, VIC
• When local daylight time is about to reach, Sunday, 1 October 2am clocks are turned FORWARD 1 hour to Sunday, 1 October, 3am.

New Zealand Daylight Saving Time | 24 September 2023 

• When local daylight time is about to reach, Sunday, 24 September 2am clocks are turned FORWARD 1 hour to Sunday, 24 September, 3am.

Start of Daylight Saving | Sample Bedtime Routine for a Baby or Toddler

If you continue with your current bedtime schedule, your little ones may find it hard to settle for sleep on the first day of Daylight Saving as it will be an hour earlier than their bedtime the previous day. However, if you can prepare ahead of the time change, you can adjust their wake up and bedtime by 10 minutes for the week prior. Starting Tuesday 19th September (NZ) or Tuesday 26th September (AU), try bringing their bedtime forward according to the following schedule.

Example routine change for a baby who usually goes to bed at 7.00 pm, starting 6 days before Daylight Saving start:

• Tuesday: 6.50pm
• Wednesday: 6.40pm
• Thursday: 6.30pm
• Friday: 6.20pm
• Saturday: 6.10pm
• Sunday: 7.00* pm (AEDT Starts)

Start of Daylight Saving Tips for Babies and Toddlers

• Minor changes will help your child to adjust their body clock gradually;
• You can further support your child to adjust by waking them in the morning, offering mealtimes and naps 10 minutes earlier;
• If you have missed out on getting ready ahead of Daylight Saving, you can apply the same method for the first week following the time change;
• Stick to the same schedule; it keeps things regular for you and your little one;
• Make sure your little one is sleeping comfortably in appropriate sleepwear and layers according to the temperature. See our handy Temperature - What To Wear Guide; and
• Have some patience with your child while adjusting to the time change; they may be a little tired and grumpy for a week or so.

Start of Daylight Saving | Tips From The Mamas at ergoPouch

Yasmine, Digital Marketing Specialist, Mama to Malik (2.5 years)

"This is my second Daylight Saving with a toddler, so I have abit more knowledge this time around. I'll be adjusting his dinner time and bedtime in the week leading up to Daylight Saving, and I've also got a new spring sleep-drobe ready for when the temp's rise. He's recently outgrown his old pouches, so it was a good time to introduce the 2-4 year size Sleep Suit Bag in new TOGs, and we're also graduating from Layers to Pyjamas! I also find the Arm Warmers really handy for managing transitional temperatures this time of year.

Malik will be wearing the 1.0 TOG Sleep Suit Bag and the 0.2 TOG Long Sleeve Pyjamas.

Jess, Digital Marketing, Mama to August (8 months) and Hunter (4.5 years)

"This is my sixth experience with Daylight Saving. My key is to stick to routine, routine, routine. My husband and I will ensure Hunter is on the same schedule; it keeps things regular for our little one. We're going to prevent difficulties by getting him ready a few days before the clock change. Even though the clock, light and temperatures change, mainintaining the same bedtime rituals in the same order every night (dinner, bath, teeth, story, cuddle, bed) will go a long way in keeping things regular with Hunter. 

August has transitioned to arms out sleeping so the new Jersey Bag with Sleeves has been a game changer on those cooler nights where I still want to keep his arms warm. I pair this with a comfy 0.2 TOG Long Sleeve Layer.

Hunter will only sleep in complete darkness. Our saving grace is the Window Blockout. Friends, I can't recommend this product enough. Easy to use, blocks 100% of the light and looks great in any nursery. Hot tip for all those parents worrying about putting sheets up!

Hunter is out of Pouches but still in his cot with the side down, as he prepares for a big bed transition.  Hunter will be wearing the 0.2 TOG Short Sleeve Pyjamas, and using the matching Quilt Cover and Organic Toddler Pillow for sleep."

Amanda, Marketing Lead, Mum to Emme (6 years) + Seb (8 years)

"When my babies were babies, we focused on reading their sleep cues during the Daylight Saving transition. Their internal clock is more powerful than any clock we go by. Watch for yawning, rubbing of the eyes, pulling ears, hiccups, fussiness or big emotions. Make sure your little one is comfortable at night. Ensure you have the correct TOG and style on your little ones as per the temperature. You can always follow our What to Wear Guide for any further advice.

Now my kids are older, they can manage the time change easier, but I'll still be watching out for sleep cues and keeping our bedtime rituals consistent. Their internal schedule works itself out within a day or two. 

My 7 year old will be going to bed in our Bedding Collection. He loves how soft the Organic Fitted Sheets are, and the Organic Quilt Cover is breathable and cool for my little hot sleeper.

My 5 year old is so excited for some new Short Sleeve Pyjamas in fun new prints. As the temperature warms up, I'll be changing her Convertible Cotton Quilt from a warm 7.0 TOG, to a cooler 3.5 TOG."

Sarah, Senior Designer, Mum to Finn (4.5 years) and Remi (12 months)

"I will put Finn down 30 minutes later than usual on Saturday, 1 October. I hope his internal schedule works itself out within a day or two. If not, we will get his routine back on track within the week. Remi's too young for a sleep routine, so we'll be enjoying lots of cuddles on the couch while he adjusts. Bliss. The Window Blockout is helping us establish Remi's circadian rhythm outside of the womb, so we will continue to use it into summer.

Finn will be wearing the 0.2 TOG Sleep Suit Bag with a Demi Convertible Quilt and Toddler Pillow. He's still training with the Quilt, so having that extra layer of warmth keeps my mind at ease.

Remi is currently wearing the 1.0 TOG Cocoon Swaddle Bag, with a 0.2 TOG Layer and Short Sleeve Bodysuit underneath.  The Baby Tuck Sheet has been a life-saver, and as the weather warms up I'll be transitioning him to a 0.2 TOG Jersey Bag once he starts rolling."

Good luck, you've got this!

With love,

eP X

ergoPouch AU 

Raising a little human isn't easy. From well-meaning friends, to experts and baby brands comes a slew of advice and information, some of it misleading and some downright dangerous. ergoPouch work with experts in the field of sleep solutions to offer your family no-nonsense help and support along your sleep journey from birth to five years. If there is a topic that we haven’t covered and you would like some advice, please let us know.