Daylight Savings This Sunday, March 13, 2011
Brought to you by Sleepy Planet
Here's how to help your little one transition to the new time change smoothly. Before bed, turn clocks ahead 1 hour. If your child normally sleeps till 6:30 AM, the next morning she will likely sleep till 7:30 AM. Her entire schedule - naps and bedtime - will then shift one hour later.
If you're happy about this change, great! Just protect her room from too much light in the early morning, and use white noise so she won't wake with the birds.
If you'd rather help your child get back to her usual schedule, try the following:
1. Put your child down at her regular bedtime, say 7:30 PM, on Saturday night.
2. Set your alarm for 6:30 AM (according to the new clock) and wake your child at this time. To her, it will feel like it's 5:30 AM, but don't worry. She'll be tired, but she'll adjust.
3. If your child naps, put her down at her normal nap time according to the new clock and resume a normal schedule from there. Don't allow her to nap longer than usual.
4. On Sunday night, put her down at her usual bedtime according to the new time.
Although the clocks are shifting later, this is the time of year when morning light is intense and bright - and when little springtime birdies start their songs very early! So remember to protect your child's environment by making sure no morning light peeks in to wake him before he's ready (such as by using blackout shades), and protect him against potentially disruptive sounds, too (such as by using an air purifier or sound machine).
If you're happy about this change, great! Just protect her room from too much light in the early morning, and use white noise so she won't wake with the birds.
If you'd rather help your child get back to her usual schedule, try the following:
1. Put your child down at her regular bedtime, say 7:30 PM, on Saturday night.
2. Set your alarm for 6:30 AM (according to the new clock) and wake your child at this time. To her, it will feel like it's 5:30 AM, but don't worry. She'll be tired, but she'll adjust.
3. If your child naps, put her down at her normal nap time according to the new clock and resume a normal schedule from there. Don't allow her to nap longer than usual.
4. On Sunday night, put her down at her usual bedtime according to the new time.
Although the clocks are shifting later, this is the time of year when morning light is intense and bright - and when little springtime birdies start their songs very early! So remember to protect your child's environment by making sure no morning light peeks in to wake him before he's ready (such as by using blackout shades), and protect him against potentially disruptive sounds, too (such as by using an air purifier or sound machine).
For more information about early wakings, check out our book, The Sleepeasy Solution - or email sleep@sleepyplanet.com to set up a consult. www.SleepyPlanet.com
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