Autum Daylight Saving and Sleep

Starting a few days in advance, shift your routine by 5-20 minutes depending on how sensitive your child is to changes. Move naps later by 15/20 minutes later every couple of days until you have made up the hour by Saturday!

If this all sounds like too much effort, then it’s also fine to go with the flow and trust your baby’s body to catch up over time, typically it takes a week or so for the body clock to catch up.

Broad spectrum daylight is one of the best ways of regulating our circadian rhythm. Get your little one out and about in daylight as much as possible. As soon as you get up, get all the lights on to kick start the day!

Exercise is also sleep’s friend, kids need loads of exercise to tire them out, if the weather is too bad to get outside, try some big body play in the early evening to help expel some energy.

Food is another driver of the circadian rhythm so by moving meal times back, you can help your little one get used to the new time! If necessary give an extra little snack to tide them over until the next meal time.

The bedtime routine is a really important part of helping your little one to sleep well.

For children over 8 or 9 months, you should spend around 45 minutes doing some calming activities, getting ready for bed and doing stories.