Twice a year, muttering the words ‘time change’ can put the fear of God in parents. Why? Because it can upset the well established routine that baby has in place.
However, out of the two time changes, this is the one that should not be feared! When we were in our youth, losing an hour meant losing an hour of sleep. But as parents, it sounds better than adding an extra hour into the mix, which may cause earlier wake times! The last thing any parent wants!
Gradual Transition
Starting from 4/5 days beforehand, begin to shift your baby’s schedule by 15 minutes earlier. For example, a regular bottle time is 7am, so begin your day 15 minutes early and adapt that to the rest of the daily routine. Baby should be down to sleep 15 minutes eariler than the normal sleep. E
Each day, start 15 minutes earlier again, until baby’s schedule has reshifted to an hour difference. This will get them ready to lose that hour, so as they wake on Sunday morning, they should be waking at their normal time.
Oops! I forgot! Quicker Adaption!
This is normally the route I end up taking! Last time change I spoke about it on Instagram two days before it happening- so this time, I had prepared a reminder in the calendar!
If you forget and realise it is happening in two days time, do not panic! Just shift the routine back 30 minutes for that day, and you guessed it, repeat by moving a further 30 minutes the next day!
Early Risers
You could also DO NOTHING! If your baby tends to wake on the earlier side of 6am, and never makes it to 7am, well Sunday is your lucky day! Let them wake naturally at 7am then continue on their regular routine. See! much easier than expected!
Remember!
Some babies fall straight into the new timed routine with ease, others don’t. It may take a week or two of adjustments to feel back on track again. Read your baby’s cues. Don’t be regimented to time schedule if they are struggling.
