The days are growing shorter and the commute home from work is getting darker and darker. If you try very hard, and think back a VERY long time, you just might remember a time in your life when “falling back” meant an extra hour of delicious sleep. Back when Daylight Savings Time in the Fall was a real treat.

NOT ANYMORE.

Nobody told the kids that was the deal.

As a parent, when I see the end of daylight savings on the calendar it’s the opposite of counting down to Christmas. #dread #5amherewecome

— Deana Cheney (@lovinZtoA) October 9, 2016

Daylight Savings Time Fall 2018

Turn back the clocks an hour at 2:00 AM on Sunday, November 4th, 2018.

Just don’t hold your breath that the kids will sleep in too.

Take it from sleep expert, Dana Stone:
“Although we generally feel like gaining an hour during fall back is easier for us, an hour can be a very large adjustment for the circadian rhythm. For example, it usually takes about 4 months (15 mins a month) for a babies body to gain an extra hour of awake time. During the end of daylight savings we expect the body to make this change overnight.”

What’s the best advice about how to get your child adjusted to the time change? Below are the three best tips for how to make daylight savings time easier for everyone in your family.

#1 – Stick to Your Routine

As you will often hear over and over again when it comes to sleeping issues, a strong and consistent bedtime routine is key to many sleep problems. When trying to get your child to adjust to going to bed earlier, parents might want to offer extra “help” falling asleep. More back rubs, more books, or any additions to their normal routine are going to have the opposite of the desired effect. So keep it simple and consistent.

#2 – Start Early

Plan for the time change by adjusting your child’s sleep schedule by 15 minute increments each day. If you start Thursday, by the time Sunday comes around your little one will be well on their way to adjusting to the time change.

#3 – Don’t Skimp on the Schedule

It can take time, but eventually your child’s internal clock will reset with the sun. While you wait for this to happen, you may be tempted to let them skip a nap in hopes they will be more tired in the evening. Here again, consistency and keeping to a schedule are key. Be flexible but only to a point. If you find they are sleeping well beyond their normal nap, wake them up. Not tired at bedtime? It’s okay for them to lie in bed awake for a little while.

[themify_box icon=”comment” color=”lavender”]What successes (and failures) have you had with adjusting your child’s sleep schedule when the time changes? Share your experiences in the comments to help out other parents in the trenches.[/themify_box]

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