Introduction
Spring is finally here and I am loving all of the signs of spring everywhere. The magnolia trees are looking insane and I am loving all the Easter decorations in the shops. In March we have the spring clock change 2024 which means that warmer days are coming and brighter evenings.
As we enter spring and the lighter evenings I often get asked, “Will the clocks going forward 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.
The good news with the spring clock change is that to adjust to the new schedule you actually put your little one to bed earlier and that is much easier to navigate than the autumn clock change. 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 spring clock change in the right way your little one will adjust and be on the right schedule within a few days.
Preparing for the spring clock change 2024 can mean your little one transitions to the new schedule quickly and easily.
How do I prepare my child for a clock change?
The spring clock change 2024 is happening on the 31st March 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 earlier 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 earlier the night before the clock change and then half an hour earlier again on the night of the clock change. Breaking it down over two nights just gives your little one time to adjust. This can be good option for toddlers.
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 earlier.
Because this clock change requires you to put your little one to bed earlier they tend to navigate this change quite well although trying to do the hour in one go can mean your little one doesn’t have enough sleep pressure built up for sleep so doing the second option might be easier.
If you have an early riser this is the clock change of dreams because 5am will become 6am overnight. If you are struggling with early rising don’t adjust their schedule at all. This way their wake up time will sit later in the morning.
Preparing for this clock change means the transition will be straight forward
What can you do about the lighter evenings?
Although the spring clock change means we lose an hour of sleep most of us are looking forward to the brighter evenings this clock change brings but how do we make sure that this doesn’t affect our little ones sleep.
Light coming into your little ones room in the evening or early mornings when we hit the longer summer days can really affect them. Therefore investing in a good black out blind could be a game changer. There are lots on the market so do your reserach before investing in one.
Too much light in your little ones room in the evening can actually surpress your little ones melatonin (the sleepy hormone) and make it harder for them to fall asleep. The darker you can make your little ones room the better the environment for sleep.
Keeping the room dark can also help your little ones internal body clock or circadiam rhythm so keeping their room dark helps to to avoid them waking early. The effect of morning light on babies can mean they think they need to wake earlier and confuse their internal body clock.
During the spring clock change the clocks ‘spring forward’ and we lose an hour of sleep.
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 spring clock change we need to put our children to bed early and this may mean that there hasn’t been enough sleep pressure built up yet. When we wake the brain starts to release a chemical called adenosine which builds. As it builds we feel more and more ready for sleep. In younger babies this sleep pressure grows quickly hence the need for several naps in the day. Even older children will need the build up of sleep pressure to help them to fall asleep. That is why adjusting gradually can help a more sensitive child.
2) Early Wake-ups: This isn’t such a problem with this clock change and if you have been struggling with early rising for a while this could be your chance to get your little one waking at a better time as 5am will become 6am overnight. If this is you then you might not want to adjust your little ones schedule at all on the 31st March.
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.
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. 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 this clock change 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 earlier 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 the spring clock change 2024, even if it means they’re going down an hour earlier 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 the spring clock change. Make sure their room is dark enough so that they don’t get confused about what time of day it is when they wake. 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) and prevent them from getting disturbed.
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!
The spring clock change 2024 can help if you have a little one who is an early riser.
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 forward affect my baby? Yes, it can. However, with some planning, you can help your baby adjust smoothly to the spring clock change. The spring clock change tends to be the easier one to navigate. 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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