Daylight Savings Time- Spring Forward 2023
It comes twice a year, but we are never ready for it. Everyone got excited about getting rid of the time change when it went to Congress, but it only passed through half of Congress. So we are still stuck with changing our clocks and adjusting schedules 2 times a year. Boo. Unless you live in Arizona or Hawaii- then you’re lucky and keep the same clock year round! Not fair, but moving on…
If you don’t care what time your child gets up and goes to bed, then just roll with it. But, if you need (or want) to stick to a specific schedule follow along for help in adjusting to losing an hour on Sunday, March 12.
Springing forward means we lose an hour of sleep, so if possible, let your child sleep in on Sunday morning to make up for it. A normal bedtime of 7 pm is going to say 8 pm on the clock. Which you might not want that late of a bedtime. But if you try to put your child to bed at the new 7 pm on the clock, it’s going to feel like 6 pm for their bodies and they won’t be tired yet. So our plan is to cut the change in half and move the schedule by 30 minute increments.
Newborns
First, if you have a newborn (0-12 weeks), you are in luck. Not much changes for you. Just keep scheduling baby’s naps based off of wake windows from whenever baby wakes up on Sunday morning.
3-4 Naps
If you have baby on 3-4 naps, you most likely don’t have a set time schedule for naps during the day. Adjust the 1st nap to be 30 minutes later than normal, and then base all the other naps off of their normal wake windows. Do this through Wednesday and then on Thursday go back to the normal time for that first nap (and all other naps based on wake windows).
1-2 Naps
If your child is on a 1 or 2 nap schedule, you should be able to have a set time schedule. After letting baby sleep in on Sunday, move all naps and bedtime 30 minutes later than normal. Again, this actually feels like 30 minutes earlier for their bodies. Keep this through Wednesday, and then on Thursday adjust back 30 minutes so you are back to your normal schedule.
Older Children
With toddlers or older children that are not napping, their schedule gets thrown off because they want to sleep in an extra hour in the morning. This might not work for school schedules. Let them sleep in an extra 30 minutes in the morning if possible. Do this through Wednesday and then on Thursday go back to regular wake up time. Same with bedtime, push it back 30 minutes until Thursday and then get back to your normal bedtime.
No matter what age your child is, be patient and give them time. Their internal body clock needs to reset. Keep the room dark during all sleeping times- the darkness signals the body its time to sleep and the sunlight tells the body this is the appropriate time to wake up.
