Helping Your Children Adjust to Daylight Saving Time with Dr. Angelique Millette

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Spring Daylight Saving Time 2021:
2am on Sunday, March 14

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Spring Forward Time Change March 14

March 14th “spring forward” time change is coming up, here is a quick reminder on prepping your child.

Beginning Tuesday March 9th, put your child down 10 minutes earlier for bed.

This means you will need to begin the bedtime routine 10 minutes earlier than usual.

Repeat this every night through Saturday. When the time change occurs, your baby or toddler will have slowly adjusted to the new time.

For example, if your child's bedtime is 7:00 pm, with the bedtime routine beginning at 6:30 pm, the schedule will be:

Tue: 6:20 pm begin bedtime routine, 6:50 pm bedtime

Wed: 6:10 pm-begin bedtime routine, 6:40 pm bedtime

Thu: 6:00 pm-begin bedtime routine, 6:30 pm bedtime

Fri: 5:50 pm-begin bedtime routine, 6:20 pm bedtime

Sat: 5:40 pm-begin bedtime routine, 6:10 pm bedtime

Sun: 7 pm bedtime (new time, old time would have been 6 pm)

You can take this time to make schedule/routine adjustments. For example, if your child goes to be on the early side (6 pm) and is waking earlier in the morning (4/6 am) you can keep their bedtime the same without using the 10-minute adjustments suggested above. So, if your baby goes to bed at 6 pm and wakes at 5 am, don’t make any adjustments. With the time change, your child’s new bedtime will be 7 pm and the new wake up time will be 6 am.

It takes about a week for a baby/toddler to adjust to the new time. Your little one may be a bit cranky, or seem more tired and may need more nap time during the day. Adjust to your child’s needs and put down for a nap 15 minutes earlier if your child seems over tired. Otherwise, stick to your routine and keep the daytime naps the same time.

Sleep Well!