"Spring Forward" Time Change Tips

Start by waking your baby or toddler up at 7am (no later than 730am). Yes, even if that means one hour less of sleep for you and the baby. Since babies and toddlers are on a 12 hour schedule, they will adapt quickly by being tired again by 7pm, if woken up by 7/730am.  

For the next week or two, keep waking your babe up by 7 or 730am if still sleeping, and your day will be back on track (mom may be off track a bit), but just make sure you are going to bed early enough to get your sleep. Set an alarm to wake your baby in the am, and to wake yourself up too. If you don’t wake them, they will fight bedtime and no need to face that if you don’t have to.

If they start fighting bedtime and you let them sleep in a bit till 730 ish in the am, then start waking them up by 7am, and bedtime will be a lot smoother.

In addition, if your baby is able to move (crawl, push, or walk), start to give them more exercise than they are used to. This means, go for a 45 min walk (no stroller) and find treasures by scooting, pushing, mini scooter or balance bike ride, do relay races at a park, go somewhere to climb at a park and get hard exercise complete before dinner. Yes, it’s easier on mom to do indoor play, play in the backyard or put on a T.V. show, but toddlers need hard exercise. Especially if toddlers are having any sleep issues, first thing to look at is what are they doing for exercise between the hours of 3-5 pm.

As in any transition, be patient and give your self and the babe or child 2 - 3 weeks to adjust. Some babies and toddlers adjust quicker than others, so be patient.

See more on "Surviving Spring Daylight Savings with a Toddler" on Cake and Confetti.