Daylight Savings Plan - Spring Forward

 

We are so lucky in Arizona that our time does not change! Makes daylight savings non-existent for us! WOO HOO!

But for those who do have to deal with it, I have solutions for you! Deep breaths because springing forward is much easier then falling back. Plus, if you have an early riser, this could work in your favor. For instance, if you baby wakes notoriously at 5am, do nothing for this change and after DLS happens, your baby will naturally wake up at their normal time which now is 6am. BAM! 

Option 1: Make Change BEFORE DLS

Start this plan 5-7 days before the time change:

(Slowly move start of day, nap, and bedtime back) Example for “7am wake/7pm bedtime”

Day 1 (Wednesday): 

Morning: Wake child 15 minutes earlier (normal 7am, so wake at 6:45am)

Nap time 15 minutes earlier (normal nap is 1pm, put down 12:45pm) *Do this for all naps

Bed time: 15 mins earlier (normal 7pm, put down at 6:45pm)

Day 2 (Thursday):

Morning: Wake child 30 minutes earlier (normal 7am, so wake at 6:30am)

Nap time: 30 minutes earlier (normal nap is 1pm, put down 12:30pm) *Do this for all naps

Bed time: 30 mins earlier (normal 7pm, put down at 6:30pm)

Day 3 (Firday): 

Morning: Wake child 45 minutes earlier (normal 7am, so wake at 6:15am)

Nap time: 45 minutes earlier (normal nap is 1pm, put down 12:15pm) *Do this for all naps

Bed time: 45 mins earlier (normal 7pm, put down at 6:15pm)

Day 4 (Saturday): 

Morning: Wake child 1 hour earlier (normal 7am, so wake at 6am)

Nap time: 1 hour earlier (normal nap is 1pm, put down 12pm) *Do this for all naps

Bed time: 1 hour earlier (normal 7pm, put down at 6:00pm)

Day 5 (Sunday): aka DLS

Congrats!! Kiddo is now on new time and has slowly sprung forward! (They will wake at the new time which will be 7am!)

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Option 2: Make Change AFTER DLS

Wait until Sunday am to make any changes (when daylight savings is here)

Day 1 (Sunday): 

Moring: Wake child 30 mins early (So wake up at 6:30am (old time) which is really 7:30am (new time))

Nap time: put child down 30 mins early (So down at 12:30pm (old time) which is really 1:30pm (new time)). *Do this for all naps

Bedtime: put child down 30 mins early (So down at 6:30pm (old time) which is really 7:30pm (new time))

*Do this for 2-3 days

Day 3 or 4: 

Morning: Wake child 45 mins early (So wake up at 6:15am (old time) which is really 7:15am (new time)).

Nap time: Put child down 45 mins early (So down at 12:15pm (old time) which is really 1:15pm new time)). *Do this for all naps

Bed time: Put child down 45 mins early (So down at 6:15pm (old time) which is really 7:30pm new time)).

*Do this for 2-3 days 

Day 6 or 7: Now on new time and back to old schedule. 

Wake child up at 7am (new time)

Nap at 1pm (new time) *Do this for all naps

Bedtime at 7pm (new time)

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Option 3:

Do Nothing! YEP! Just wait and see what happens. You can either stick to the new normal which will most likely be one hour ahead OR just treat it like you are traveling. It might take a few days to adjust but slowly get back on their normal schedule on the new spring forward time. (For example, if you let them “sleep in” on DLS day, then adjust their schedule for the day and slowly get them back on track and wake them for their regular start time the days that follow). 

TIPS:

For options 1 and 2: 

  • Write out your plan with times. It can feel confusing but if you write it all down, it feels easier. 

Consistency:

  • Stick to a normal and familiar bedtime routine 

  • They do not know there is a change, so just continue about your day as normal but with the adjusted times

  • Do your bedtime routine and daytime routine as closely to normal as possible 

  • Consistency makes kiddos feel secure so practice this. 

Patience:

  • Change can take time. Deep breaths and give this about a week for full adjustments

  • Some kiddos roll with this change easily but if you are having trouble, give it time and stick to the plan

  • Deep breaths, a one hour change, is not as disruptive as we think.

Early wake ups:

  • You can use check ins, comfort, but slowly work on them staying in their room until the new time to wake. If they are awake but just hanging out, leave them.

  • Toddlers: use those toddler clocks to help with the new time!! Set the new awake time every night for morning wake time and for naps

  • Make sure the room is dark and cool

Need additional help? Contact me today for private consults! 

 
Ayo Skeete