Managing the Autumn Clock Change, without your Little One ‘falling’ into Early Starts.

For most of us parents, whilst it’s always worth it for our cheeky snuggly little ones, the lack of a lie-in is a hard pill to swallow in parenting. So, when the clock changes in autumn (which will happen this year on Sunday 27TH October in the UK) the idea of waking up an hour earlier is dreaded.

There are different ways you can go about adjusting your child’s schedule to this clock change so I will outline some options. The main aim of this blog is to reduce stress around this issue, not to overcomplicate it, so skim through and go with the option that suits you. Whichever option you go for there will be some crankiness and imperfections but try not to worry, your little one will adjust to the new time eventually so this will only be a temporary period.

Option 1 – no preparation, no gradual adjustment

The simplest option with the least mental energy that needs to go into scheduling and timing is when the clocks change, you move your babies schedule that day to the new time. This means if your baby/child is usually asleep at 7.30pm, the new 7.30pm which actually be an hour late for them (remember 6am becomes 5am so 7.30pm becomes 6.30pm).

Pro – no added mental load

Con – some crankiness and overtiredness

Some things to consider option 1:

• This works better for toddlers/children rather than babies

• I’d say if they are on more than 1 nap then they are unlikely to tolerate staying awake for an hour longer than usual without getting really upset so if you have a baby then I’d go with another option

• If your toddler/child is very sensitive to overtiredness and you know they don’t cope well at all with it then again, go with another option

• If you think you can power through a little crankiness for a few days, then not needing to faff about with timings can be a great weight off your mind

Option 2 – start shifting bedtime later before the clocks change

The aim for this approach is that your baby/toddler will already be adjusted to the new time by the Sunday of the clock change. How quickly you shift their schedule really depends on how sensitive they are to timings/overtiredness.

You can shift over 4 days by 15 minute increments or 6 days by 10 minute increments. With both move the entire schedule including naps and meals by 10 or 15 minutes so that bedtime moves later.

Example of shift over 4 days by 15 minutes (typical bedtime = 7pm):

-       Wednesday 7.15pm bedtime

-       Thursday 7.30pm bedtime

-       Friday 7.45pm bedtime

-       Saturday 8pm bedtime 

-       Sunday 7pm bedtime

Example of shifting over 6 days by 10 minutes (typical bedtime = 7pm):

-       Monday 7.10pm bedtime

-       Tuesday 7.20pm bedtime

-       Wednesday 7.30pm bedtime

-       Thursday 7.40pm bedtime

-       Friday 7.50pm bedtime

-       Saturday 8.00pm bedtime

-       Sunday 7pm bedtime  

Option 3 – unsystematically edge bedtime later and then jump to the new time when the clocks change

A more intuitive approach of simply edging bedtime later in the period before the clock change and then rolling with the new clock change when it happens. Admittedly, this is the approach I tend to do myself, I try to start nudging things a bit later in the couple of weeks leading up to the clock change to aid the change but then I just go with the new clock change on the day. Whilst for many the systematic and ordered approach of option 2 can reduce anxiety, for me personally it’s adds too much stress.

Top tip for babies!

You can add an extra nap in to help shift bedtime later without any overtiredness.

Top tip for toddlers/children!

Having a gro-clock can really help your little one understand and adjust to the new time.

Top tip for all! 

Natural sunlight in the early morning can really help everyone’s circadian rhythms adjust to the clock change, so I know it might be a bit chilly but if you can get out for an early morning walk it will help the whole family!