Start of Daylight Saving Time - Southern Hemisphere
We've reached that time of year when the nights are lighter and the sun sets 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 quick. 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 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 parents) top tips for adapting to the time changes.
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, 30th 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
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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;
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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;
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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
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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 Parents at ergoPouch
Yasmine, Digital Marketing Specialist, Mama to Malik (4.5 years) and Aleyna (2 years)
"This is my fourth Daylight Saving with a Pre-schooler, so I have a bit 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. Aleyna recently outgrew her old Sleeping Bag, so it was a good time to introduce the 2-4 Sleep Suit Bag in a 1.0 TOG, 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 0.2 TOG Long Sleeve Pyjamas in his big boy bed with his Quilted Coverlet, and we can not forget his Blobby Night Lamp!"
Jess, Digital Marketing, Mama to August (2.5 years) and Hunter (6 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 and Auggie are on the same schedule; it keeps things regular for our little ones. 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, maintaining 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 our boys.
August has transitioned to a big boy cot bed (side off), he sleeps in our 0.2 TOG Long Sleeve PJs. I pair this with our Quilted Coverlet and Organic Toddler Pillow. The ideal combo for my hot little sleeper.
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 will be wearing the 0.2 Long Sleeve PJs until it gets really hot and we move him into his 0.2 TOG Short Sleeve PJs.
And yes, I am that mum who matches my boys. We (mainly me) gets a giggle out of matching their PJs."
Matt, eComm Lead, Dad to Jules (6 years) + Joey (4 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 6-year-old will be going to bed in our Bedding Collection. He loves how soft the Organic Fitted Sheets are, and the Organic Coverlet is breathable and cool for my little hot sleeper.
My 4-year-old is so excited for some new Short Sleeve Pyjamas in fun new prints. We can not forget his favourite bedtime ritual of saying goodnight to Blobby the Bedtime Lamp."
Sarah, Senior Designer, Mum to Finn (6 years) and Remi (3 years)
"I will put Finn and Remi down 30 minutes later than usual on Saturday, 4 October. I hope their internal schedules work themselves out within a day or two. If not, we will get thier routine back on track within the week.
Both of my boys are in PJs now, so we mix and match between the Long Sleeve Layers and the Short Sleeve. We also love to mix the prints, which adds a bit of fun to our routine."
Amelia, eComm mum to Eli (4 years) and Leon (3 Months)
"We are deep in the newborn trenches, so I will focus on the newborn, and my hubs will get our bigger boy down 30 mins later on Saturday night.
Eli will be wearing the 0.2 TOG Sleep Suit Bag with a Quilted Coverlet.
Leon is currently wearing the 2.5 TOG Cocoon Swaddle Bag, with a 0.2 TOG Long Sleeve Layer; he also sleeps in the New ellska Skye Cot. The HugMe Blanket, Drift Away and Drift Home have been lifesavers the second time around (they were not on the market when I had Eli).
Hot tip, the Drift Home Baby Monitor and Smart TOG guide has been my ultimate *mum of two hack. I love that I can watch my little babe while I play with my big babe and know the temperature is spot on thanks to the TOG guide. Honestly, obsessed."
Good luck, you've got this!
With love,
eP X
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.
