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

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. #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 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 (4 years) + Remi (7 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 3-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."

Jess, Digital Marketing, Mama to Hunter (4 years)

"This is my fourth 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 changes.

We're settling Hunter down 10 minutes later from tonight and will continue to do so until the clock changes. Our little 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 0.2 TOG and 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. 

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!"

Amanda, Marketing Lead, Mum to Emme (5 years) + Seb (7 years)

"We try to live by the following steps and ensure we are kind to ourselves and the kids. It can feel a lot like jetlag, try and take a nap where possible.

Read your baby's sleep cues. Their internal clock is more powerful than any clock we go by. 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.

I keep my son, who is a little older, in the same routine on the day of the change. He is aware of what is going on and can fall asleep once we've completed our nightly routine. His internal schedule works itself out within a day or two. We find the kids are always ready for bed from the endless adventures they're on.

My 6-year-old sleeps in his Kid Sleep Onesie in his big bed with blankets. Seb loves getting into his Onesie and snuggling up with a book before lights out. Our little girl switches between a few styles; however, for now, she is in her Long Sleeve Sleep Shirt and Quilt. The organic fibres are ideal for her sensitive skin, and the 1.0 TOG keeps her nice and warm during the tran-seasonal weather."

Amelia, e-Commerce Mum to Eli (2 years)

"I will put my son down 30 minutes later than usual on Sunday, 2nd April; 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. Bliss.

We have chosen to put our little guy into the 2.5 TOG Sleep Suit Bag and a Long Sleeve Layer. Our little guy likes the extra room for movement (he moves a lot) without the need for blankets, Eli also will wear a 0.2 TOG Long Sleeve Layer underneath for added warmth. Eli is known to wear his Layers throughout the day. They're so cute, so why not!

Remember, what's going to work with each family is entirely different. You may want to introduce some calming activities or quiet time before bed, dim the lights and make it clear bedtime is coming. The good news, within a week or two, baby, toddler, and you will adjust to the time change naturally."

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.

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 | 2nd April 2023 (the first Sunday in April). 

• Australian States: ACT, NSW, SA, TAS, VIC
• When local daylight time is about to reach, Sunday, 1st October 3am clocks are turned FORWARD 1 hour to Sunday, 1st October, 4am.

Good luck, you've got this!

With love and sleep wishes,

eP X