Spring Forward, Sleep Tight: Navigating Daylight Saving Time with Your Child

As the last Sunday in March creeps up on us, many of us will welcome more daylight in the evenings with open arms but new parents may experience the fear; the fear of Spring Forward and how to adjust their baby’s sleep to match the new time of day.

When our clocks Spring Forward an hour, losing a full 60 minutes can be the difference between a just-about-bearable 6am wake-up and a blissful, totally acceptable 7am wake-up!

So how can you prepare your baby, and yourself for this step towards summer clock change? One simple piece of advice which all our Midwives at My Expert Midwife agree on is introducing a gradual change to routines (feeding, naps, bedtime). As the clocks spring forward, it’s essential to prepare your child’s sleep schedule for the time change.

One effective strategy is gradually adjusting their bedtime in the weeks leading up to the change. For instance, if your child’s usual bedtime is 7pm, consider pushing it forward by a few minutes each night. Start by setting bedtime to 7:10pm, then 7:20pm, followed by 7:30pm, and so forth, until reaching 8pm. By the time the clocks change, your child’s bedtime will (in theory) align back to 7pm, helping ease the transition.

To help your little one settle, and maintain their bedtime routine, My Expert Midwife has an award-winning range of natural skincare products to nourish and care for your child before heading off to the land of zzz’s.

Mega Mild Cleansing Wash (RRP £7.95)
A gentle wash leaving skin feeling clean and soft. Containing soothing calendula, marshmallow, and oatmeal to gently care for baby’s delicate skin.

A picture containing text, toiletry, lotion

Description automatically generated

Follow up with the Mega Calm Massage Balm (RRP £9.95)
Containing softening sweet almond, calming calendula and oat kernel oil. Gentle, soothing and kind on baby’s skin

If it’s any consolation, they’ll all settle into new routines by the time November comes around -then it’s time to start all over again!