Introduction
Autumn is here and I am a massive fan of this season. Pass me my pumpkin spiced latte and warm woolly jumpers immediately. I love it. In October we have the autumn clock change 2023 and this can be pretty tricky to navigate because the clocks ‘fall back’ and it means keeping your little one up for longer to get onto the new schedule.
As we approach the end of daylight saving time, many parents find themselves asking, “Will the clocks going back affect my baby?” The answer is yes, it can. Babies, much like adults, have their internal biological clocks or circadian rhythms. Any changes to their regular schedule can potentially disrupt their sleep patterns.
While the clock change can disrupt your baby’s sleep pattern, there are several strategies you can use to help them adjust and we will look at them all during this blog post so you can decide the best approach for your family.
By approaching the clock change 2023 in the right way your little one will adjust and be on the right schedule within a few days. Get it wrong and you can end up with an overtired baby which can lead to additional struggles.
Preparing for the autumn clock change can mean your little one transitions to the new schedule quickly and easily.
How do I prepare my child for a clock change?
The Autumn clock change 2023 is happening on the 29th October and so I wanted to share some ideas as to how you can navigate the clock change with your little ones. Some of these options require you to start adjusting bedtime in advance of the clock change so you may want to plan ahead for this clock change.
Option 1:
Start on the Wednesday before and move bedtime by 15 minutes later each night (great for a sensitive child or one who still has lots of naps/younger babies)
Option 2:
Move bedtime by half an hour later the night before the clock change and then half an hour later again on the night of the clock change. Breaking it down over two nights just gives your little one time to adjust.
Option 3:
Do the full hour change in one go. (good for older children who can cope with the change in one go) This means your child going to bed an entire hour late so only pick this option if your child can cope with a late night.
Because this clock change requires you to put your little one to bed later overtiredness can creep in and this can have huge effects on a little ones sleep including early rising and additional night wakes. Keep an eye on everything and work on daytime naps as well to help keep them topped up with sleep. Allowing them to nap slightly later on these days leading up to the clock change 2023 will help them adjust because their wake window won’t be stretched too far to bedtime.
Preparing for this clock change can be a game changer
Understanding circadian rhythms in babies and young children.
Circadian rhythms are physical, mental and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle. They are primarily influenced by light and darkness in an human’s environment. In babies, these rhythms start developing a few weeks after birth and become more established by three to six months of age.
Babies’ sleep-wake cycles are not as mature as those of adults. Therefore, they are more sensitive to changes in light exposure and timing of activities such as feeding and sleeping. This sensitivity makes them more susceptible to disruptions when there is a shift in time like during daylight saving time.
When it comes to young babies transitioning through the clock change gradually can mean that their internal clock can adjust to the new timing gently. In this case I would go for option 1 with this clock change.
During the autumn clock change the clocks ‘fall’ back an hour.
How does the clock change affect babies and young children.
The clock change can affect your baby’s sleep pattern in several ways:
1) Difficulty Falling Asleep: If your baby is used to going to bed at a certain time, they may struggle to fall asleep when bedtime is shifted. In the case of the Autumn clock change we need to keep our children up longer which can lead to overtiredness. Overtired children can struggle to settle to sleep whereas a well rested child will find it much easier to fall asleep.
2) Early Wake-ups: Similarly, your baby may wake up earlier than usual because their internal clock is still set to the old time. This clock change ‘falls back’ so 5am will become 4am so keep an eye on my instagram page for my early rising masterclass as I will run this after the clock change. This was hugely popular last year and I cannot wait to host it again this year.
3) Shorter Naps: The change in timing can also affect daytime naps. Your baby might have shorter or longer naps than usual which can lead to overtiredness or under tiredness respectively. Just keep an eye on this and adjust your schedule in the day as well as bedtime to help with the transition.
4) Overall Mood Changes: Sleep disruptions can lead to mood changes in babies. They may become cranky or irritable due to lack of proper rest. This will resolve itself quickly when they have adjusted to the new schedule post clock change. Remember sleep breeds sleep!
Don’t forget to adjust your toddler clock to the new time the night before.
Tips to help your little one adjust
Daylight savings can be a difficult adjustment for babies and toddlers. With the time change, it can throw off their sleep schedule and cause them to become overtired and fussy. Fortunately, there are a few ways to help your little ones adjust to daylight savings. Here are 3 tips for helping your baby or toddler adjust to the time change:
1. Start Adjusting Early
One of the best ways to help your baby or toddler adjust to daylight savings is to start adjusting their sleep schedule a few days before the time change. This will help them get used to the new schedule gradually, rather than having a sudden shift in their routine. Try putting them down for naps and bedtime 15 minutes later each day leading up to the clock change (starting the Wednesday before). This will make it easier for them when you finally switch over to the new time on Sunday morning.
2. Keep Bedtime Consistent
It’s important to keep bedtime consistent during daylight savings, even if it means they’re going down an hour later than usual. Keeping their bedtime routine consistent will help them adjust more quickly and easily. Make sure you stick with your normal routine of bath, books, songs, etc., so they know it’s still bedtime. Younger children won’t know what time it actually is so just stick with your routine and the consistency will help them.
3. Create A Calming Environment
Creating a calming environment in your baby or toddler’s bedroom can also help them adjust more easily to daylight savings. Make sure their room is dark enough so that they don’t get confused about what time of day it is when they wake up in the morning (or afternoon). You can also use white noise machines or sound machines to create a soothing atmosphere that will make it easier for them to fall asleep at night (or nap during the day).
4. Be Patient
Most importantly, be patient with your little one as they adjust to the clock change! It may take some time for them to get used to the new schedule, but eventually they will settle into it and things will go back to normal soon enough!
This clock change can lead to early rising if you don’t approach the change in the right way as 5am becomes 4am.
Adjusting your clocks and the toddler clock!
Most digital clocks adjust automatically but some of the toddler clocks don’t so you may need to make sure you adjust the time manually.
Please find here a link to the gro clock that I recommend to all of my clients. www.tommeetippee.com/en-gb/product/groclock-sleep
It is made by Tommee Tippee and can be understood from as early as 19 months. Remember I do not recommend moving your little one into a bed until they are at least 2.5yrs but as close to 3 as you can. Introducing this clock early can help them to understand that nightime (when the owl is sleeping) is for staying in bed/sleeping and when the clock shows the owl is awake it is ok to get up!
Conclusion
So, will the clocks going back affect my baby? Yes, it can. However, with some planning and patience, you can help your baby adjust smoothly to the clock change. Remember that every child is unique and may react differently to these changes. If you have any concerns about your child’s sleep patterns or behavior after the clock change, do not hesitate to contact me.
Naomi. X
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