Ah, Daylight Savings Time—the twice-a-year event that parents dread. Before kids, losing an hour of sleep just meant an extra cup of coffee and moving on with your day. But now? Now it feels like the universe is personally out to sabotage your baby’s hard-earned sleep schedule.
But don’t worry! I’ve got you covered. Whether you’re a planner who likes to ease in, prefer to rip the Band-Aid off, or decide to do nothing at all, there’s a way to make the transition smoother for you and your little one.
P.S. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your baby’s sleep on track, download my
FREE guide:
Overwhelmed to Empowered: Understanding Your Baby’s Cues & Creating a Flexible Routine! It’s packed with tips to help you confidently navigate sleep, feeding, and awake times.
What Happens When We “Spring Forward”?
Daylight Savings Time always falls on the second Sunday in March, when the clocks move forward by one hour. So if your baby normally wakes up at 7:00 AM, it will suddenly be 8:00 AM according to the new time.
Sounds great in theory, right? A baby who sleeps in? Not so fast. That also means bedtime will feel an hour earlier to them, and naps might be off for a few days.
The good news is that babies are more adaptable than we think, and with a little guidance, they’ll adjust in just a few days.
Spring Forward: 3 Easy Ways to Help Your Baby Adjust
💡 Pick the approach that works best for your family!
Option 1: Gradual Adjustment (For the Planners)
If your baby is sensitive to schedule changes, you can start adjusting 4-5 days before the time change.
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Here’s how:
✔ Move bedtime 15 minutes earlier each night.
✔ Wake them 15 minutes earlier in the morning.
✔ Adjust naps and meals 15 minutes earlier each day to keep everything aligned.
By the time Daylight Saving Time arrives, their body clock will already be adjusted! 🎉
Option 2: Adjust the Morning Of (For the Go-With-the-Flow Parents)
If gradual adjustments aren’t your thing (or you totally forgot about the time change—hey, it happens!), you can handle it all on Sunday morning.
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Here’s the plan:
✔ If your baby normally wakes at 7:00 or 7:30 AM, wake them at 6:30 AM (which will be 7:30 AM with the new time).
✔ Keep their first nap at its usual time, or offer it 10-15 minutes early if they seem extra tired.
✔ Stick to your regular bedtime as much as possible.
This approach might mean a slightly overtired baby for a day or two, but most little ones adjust within 3-5 days as long as you stay consistent.
Option 3: Do Nothing (The Easiest Approach!)
If you decide to do absolutely nothing, your baby will still adjust—it just might take a little longer.
For those babies who are early risers,
springing forward (losing an hour)
can work in your favor by shifting their wake-up time later.
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Here’s what will happen:
✔ If your baby normally wakes at 7:00 AM, on Sunday morning, the clock will now say 8:00 AM.
✔ Nap times and bedtime will naturally shift one hour later than usual.
✔ Your baby may not seem tired at their usual bedtime since their body thinks it’s an hour earlier.
Most babies will adjust on their own within 3-7 days, though it may take longer if they are sensitive to schedule changes.
Wondering how to spot overtiredness and adjust nap times if things go off track? My
FREE guide;
Overwhelmed to Empowered: Understanding Your Baby’s Cues & Creating a Flexible Routine will help!
Bonus Tips for a Smooth Transition (No Matter Which Option You Choose!)
✨ Use blackout curtains 🪟
Evening sunlight can make it harder for babies to fall asleep. I personally love Sleepout blackout curtains—they make the room completely dark, which is key for adjusting to time changes.
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Get outside in the morning ☀️
Natural light exposure in the first half of the day helps reset your baby’s internal clock faster.
✨ Keep bedtime routines predictable 🌙
A consistent wind-down routine helps signal to your baby that it’s time to sleep, even if they’re feeling a little off.
✨ Be patient ⏳
Just like adults, babies need time to adjust! A few early risings or off-nap days are totally normal.
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Give yourself grace
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If sleep feels messy for a few days, it’s okay! Your baby will settle back into their routine soon.
Final Thoughts + Free Guide for More Sleep Help!
No matter which method you choose, your baby will adjust! A week from now, you won’t even remember this little hiccup in their schedule.
Tell me—are you
a gradual adjuster, a go-with-the-flow parent, or team ‘we’ll just wing it’?
Drop a comment below and let me know how you plan to handle Daylight Saving Time this year!
✨ Need more sleep tips? Download my FREE guide:
Overwhelmed to Empowered: Understanding Your Baby’s Cues & Creating a Flexible Routine!
✔ Learn to recognize your baby’s tired cues before they get overtired.
✔ Adjust wake windows and naps with confidence.
✔ Create a flexible routine that actually works for your baby’s sleep needs.
📥
Click here to grab your copy now!
✔ Schedule a free consultation for personalized sleep help!
If your baby’s sleep feels really off and you’re struggling to get things back on track, let’s chat! I offer one-on-one sleep support to help you create a plan that works for your baby and your family.
📅
Click here to schedule a free consultation
