The clocks are changing in March, moving forward 1 hour at 1 am. While it’s always nice to have brighter evenings, there’s no denying that the changing clocks can wreak havoc with our routines. If you’ve got a little one, you might be particularly worried about how it’ll affect nap times and sleep schedules.
The good news is that adjustment doesn’t have to be tricky. We’ve partnered with the window dressing experts at Hillarys to learn more about maintaining your child’s routine when the clocks change.
How Does the Clock Change Affect Sleep Schedules?
When the clocks change, baby routines and toddler bedtimes will move forward an hour. This means that if your little one has gotten used to going to sleep at 7 pm and waking up at 6 am, they’ll now want to go to bed at 8 pm and wake up at 7 am.
This isn’t quite as daunting as the clocks moving backwards (nobody wants that 5 am start!), but it can still be an issue. Bedtimes may feel too late, naps might shift in a way that doesn’t work with your routine, and your baby might be a little more fussy than usual.
Adapting Your Child’s Sleep to the Clock Change
The spring clock change isn’t ideal, but it doesn’t have to be a cause for stress. Instead, look at this as the perfect opportunity to upgrade your baby or toddler’s sleep routine and create a dreamy, dark-to-dawn sleep sanctuary.
Here are some tips to help make the transition a whole lot easier.
Block Out the Sunlight
When the clocks change in March, your little one might be going to bed while the sun’s still up. This works against their circadian rhythm, with exposure to light reducing melatonin levels (the hormone that makes us feel sleepy) by 90%.
A darker room, on the other hand, gives your little one’s body the clearest signal that it’s time to wind down, even if it’s still bright outside.
To combat lighter evenings, add blackout blinds or curtains to your child’s room. Yvonne Keal, one of Hillarys window dressing experts, says, “Specialist blackout linings are engineered to block out light. With blackout blinds or curtains, you can create a perfectly dark room for your child, even with bright sunlight shining directly on your home.”
To ensure perfect darkness, choose Hillarys made-to-measure window dressings or pair your blackout blinds with curtains for a super cosy sleep sanctuary. You can also use these curtains during daytime naps, helping your little one drift off quickly and get a more restful sleep.
Image source: Hillarys blinds
Stick to a Familiar Bedtime Routine
A night-time routine that your child’s familiar with is always a good idea. This wind-down time tells their body that it’s the end of the day, and can make the transition to a slightly earlier bedtime a lot easier.
Start with a routine for getting ready for bed, and make sure you carry it out at the same time every night (including when the clock changes!). This could include a bath or quick wash, changing into PJs, and brushing teeth. If you have a baby, make their last feed a part of this routine.
Add in a few rituals to help your child relax. A bedtime story is a brilliant way to wind down and has been linked to longer sleep duration, making it a bedtime staple. Encourage excitement for a bedtime story by presenting your books in a Greenaway Bookcase, which makes them easier for your child to see and reach.
After a bedtime story, use a white noise machine or gentle lullabies to lull your little one into a peaceful night’s sleep.
Prepare for Earlier Bedtimes
When it comes to toddlers or babies and daylight savings, the sudden shift to an earlier bedtime can make it hard to put your little one down. They’re simply not tired! The good news is that there’s a simple way to turn this big leap into a series of smaller, unnoticeable steps.
We recommend starting to adjust your child’s bedtime before the clocks change. In the weeks before (or days, depending on how much time you have), sneakily move bedtime forward by a few minutes. A 5-minute change is a lot easier to deal with than an hour, and you can gradually work towards their new bedtime.
Do the same for naps to ensure your little one’s getting the same gaps between their last nap and their bedtime. You can also adjust mealtimes by the same number of minutes, slowly shifting your entire routine for an easier adjustment.
Declutter Your Child’s Bedroom
Messy bedrooms are linked to poorer sleep quality and an increase in anxiety. Even without the clock’s changing, it’s good practice to create a tidy room all year round to encourage longer, more restful sleep.
Use the clock change as a reminder to invest in more suitable storage for your little one’s room. Explore options for toy chests and storage cubes, for instance, that make tidying up before bedtime quicker. A toy chest with a lid helps you keep your child’s odds and ends out of sight when it’s time to slow down and get sleepy.
If you haven’t already, invest in a good bedside table, too. The Star Bright Bedside and Paddington Clip-on Bedside are both designed for easy-to-reach, neat storage of bedtime essentials, like books and a nightlight. Use the cubby hole to tidy away any extras and keep the space around your child’s bed free of clutter for easier, more peaceful sleep.
Invest in a Comfier Bed
Whether you have a newborn or a toddler, a comfy and safe sleeping space is essential. Just as with storage, the changing clocks provide the perfect opportunity to upgrade your child’s bed and bedding, focusing on sleep-inducing comfort.
If you’re moving from a cot to a bed, timing it alongside the clocks changing can also work in your favour. Everything feels a little new anyway, so framing it as a positive milestone builds excitement for (what feels like) an earlier bedtime. A simple, sturdy bed like the Skylark Single Bed is a great way to upgrade your little one’s room and mark the start of a new routine.
You should also prioritise:
-
A supportive mattress that keeps your child comfortable all night
-
Breathable, natural bedding to help regulate temperature
-
Snug-fitting sheets that won’t bunch or twist
-
Bed guards if this is their first time in a bed
For babies, stick to a firm, flat mattress with a fitted sheet, keeping their sleep space simple.
Final Thoughts
The changing clocks leave all of us feeling a little off our game. When it comes to your baby’s sleep schedule and nap times, creating a darker, cosier bedroom and embracing a consistent routine is a must for an easier transition. We hope the tips in this article help you feel more confident for the springtime clock change!
For more articles on creating a comfy, happy home for your children, read the latest on our blog.
