How to Ease out of Daylight Saving with a Baby or Toddler

Newborn Sleep Infant Sleep Toddler Sleep Product Information

End of Daylight Saving Time – Southern Hemisphere


We've reached that time of year where the nights are darker, and the sun is setting early (hello winter, and cosy days to come!). This time change is a crowd-pleaser, we technically GAIN an extra hour of sleep (or do we? #kids).

While moving the clock back one hour is something that makes us sleepy for a couple of days, our adult bodies adjust to the change reasonably quick. And it is very likely your little one will be wide awake at 5am requesting Cars 3 for the tenth time that morning.

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 understand the fear of change affecting our little one's sleep and have compiled our top tips for adjusting to the time change.

To help ease you into the swing of things, we have asked the team at ergoPouch what their top tips are for adapting to the time changes.

End of Daylight Saving | Tips From The Mamas at ergoPouch

Sarah, Design, Mama to Finn (5 years) + Remi (19 months)

"We have to put our clocks backwards, so why can't we put baby's clock forward to align their body clocks? Over the week leading up, put your little one to bed 10 minutes later each day. This process has worked well for my 5-year-old time and time again.

To guarantee Finn gets down smoothly, we dress him in his 2.5 TOG Sleep Suit Bag and the ergoPouch Pyjamas. Remi is loving his Sleeved Jersey Bag."

Jess, Digital Marketing, Mama to Hunter (5 years) and August (1 year)

"This is my fifth experience with Daylight Saving, my key is to stick to routine, routine, routine. My husband and I will ensure Hunter and August are on the same schedule; it keeps things regular for both of them. We're going to prevent difficulties by getting them ready a few days before the clock changes.

We're settling Hunter and August down 10 minutes later from tonight and will continue to do so until the clock changes. Our oldest one loves the ergoPouch 2.5 TOG Sleep Onesies. As the weather starts to cool down, we will mix and match the Long Sleeve Layers in 1.0 TOG to keep him nice and comfortable. We've just introduced the Affirmation Cards and he loves pulling out a card and reading it together. 

August 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!"

Amanda, Marketing Lead, Mum to Emme (6 years) + Seb (7 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.

My 7-year-old will be going to bed in our Bedding Collection. The Organic Quilt Cover is breathable and cool for my little hot sleeper. My 6-year-old is so excited for our Sleep Onesies to come in fun new prints. As the temperature cools, I'll be changing her Convertible Cotton Quilt from a cool 3.5 TOG to a warmer 7.0 TOG."

Amelia, e-Commerce Mum to Eli (3 years)

"I will put my son down 30 minutes later than usual on the Sunday; 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. We can read a few extra books and have a few more cuddles. 

We love dressing Eli in cosy 1.0 TOG Long Sleeve Pyjamas and may switch over to the NEW 2.0 TOG Long Sleeve Pyjamas when the weather starts to cool down."

 

 

END of Daylight Saving | Sample Bedtime Plan

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 later than their bedtime the previous day. If you can prepare ahead of the time change, you can adjust their wake up and bedtime by 10 minutes for the week prior.

How to modify baby's bedtime at the end of daylight savings

You can start a few days before the following example:

*7.00 pm bedtime, for example

  • Monday: 7pm
  • Tuesday:7.10pm
  • Wednesday: 7.20 pm
  • Thursday: 7:30pm
  • Friday: 7.40pm
  • Saturday: 7.50 pm
  • Sunday: 7.00 pm (DST Ends)

End of Daylight Saving Tips

  • 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 later
  • 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
  • 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

Daylight Saving Time starts | 7th April 2023 (the first Sunday in April). 

  • Australian States: ACT, NSW, SA, TAS, VIC
  • When local daylight time is about to reach Sunday 7th April 3am, clocks are turned BACKWARDS 1 hour to Sunday 7th April, 2am.

Good luck, you've got this!

With love and sleep wishes,

eP X

 

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