Daylight savings time ends on Sunday, November 3rd at 2:00 a.m. Most of us will be rolling our clocks back an hour, which can cause sleep problems. What does that mean for us moms? We’ll have less sleep since our babies will be waking up earlier. Over half of moms (52%) feel that their baby’s sleep patterns are thrown off when the clocks ‘fall back’ and Daylight Savings Time ends. Instead of my daughter waking up at 7 am, she’ll be up at 6 am! Luckily, I know there is one thing I don’t have to worry about – her diaper. I know I can rely on Pampers Baby Dry to keep Ciara dry for up 12 hours!
We all know how important sleep is for our children. I always put on soft cotton pj’s, nice ventialed room, and her crib is removed of all clutter. I have been blessed to have both children who slept through the night by three months. I know how fortunate I was to have that especially when I started back at work! Kim West, The Sleep Lady, has shared some tips on how to make the Daylight Savings transition a little smoother for us moms.
- The end of daylight savings is a good time to make sure that your child’s bedtime is age-appropriate. Infants and babies do best with a bedtime between 7:30 and 8:00 p.m. Later bedtimes have shown to have a negative effect on children’s attitudes and their ability to focus, and can result in instances of early rising. If you find that your baby has been going to bed too early or too late, take advantage of the time change to gradually shift bedtime (back or forward in 15-30 minute increments over the next week).
- To help make ensure that your baby’s sleep doesn’t go completely off the rails, make a slow transition. Make a point to slowly adjust your child’s bedtime and naptimes an hour earlier, just 15-30 minutes a day for a few days before daylight savings ends. This way, your child will already be adjusted to the time change. While you’re adjusting naps and bedtime, make sure that you also adjust mealtimes in 10-15 minute increments to help ease the transition.
- For children under 4 years old, its essential that we make naps a priority this time change. Quality nighttime sleep is dependent upon good daytime sleep. Make sure that your children are well-napped during the day so that when the time change takes effect having a later-feeling bedtime isn’t as much of an issue. Between naps, make sure that your children are exposed to plenty of natural light; open the curtains, take an afternoon walk, or just play outside. To help your children adjust, about 30-45 minutes before naps and an hour before bedtime. Close the curtains, dim the lights and follow your soothing sleep routine. If you find that your baby is still having trouble with sleep even after a good day of naps, you may need to temporarily add a third late-afternoon nap, of no more than 45 minutes to help make sure that your baby isn’t overtired at bedtime.
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There will be a Pampers Sleep Chat Twitter party on November 7th at 9pm EST. Chat about how the end of Daylight Savings Time can affect sleep patterns & get tips on easing the transition from The Sleep Lady, Kim West.
Join the party and RSVP: http://twtvite.com/
Prizes include:
$50 AMEX Gift Card, $25 Children’s Place Gift Card, Pampers product and book by Kim West.
$100 AMEX Gift Card, Pampers Product, series of books by Kim West
Grand Prize: $500 AMEX Card to purchase sleep items such as a new crib, video monitor, etc.
To participate, follow your hosts @DoubleDutyDivas, @BridgetteLA, @CeceliaMecca @AngieKcom @WhatMommiesNeed @RamblingChick, sleep expert @TheSleepLady and our sponsor @Pampers
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I also keep to a routine with my boys. A fan, sounds machine, and black out curtains help too. jj250@aol.com
Awesome giveaway! 🙂 I always kept a routine with my girls, it’s the only way to do it.
Set your clocks a few minutes fast so that you have a cushion.
My baby doesn’t go to bed until 9 or after.
I just continue my routine as normal and my daughter doesn’t really notice the transition. We have perfected our bedtime routine so she winds down gradually.
i always keep the same bed time
I keep them up later so they will in later.
We just stay on our routine and it works out well
black out curtains help stay on the routine
White noise!
I adjusted the kids daytime naps so they would be able to sleep on our schedule
I just remember that you need a lot more patience during the time change both at night and in the morning. It takes little ones a few days to get adjusted, especially if they are used to a schedule.
Unfortunately I dont have any good tips because my daughter has always been a terrible sleeper but maybe it’s because her bedtime is so late!! Thanks for the great tips!
I’ve learned with a toddler to not stress out if it doesn’t go exactly as planned when it comes to a sleep schedule. I want to enjoy these days!
My only tip is the motto me and my husband use, I’ll sleep when I’m gone.. lol