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The start of daylight savings means that longer days and the warmth of summer are not too far away, but how do you get your kids ready for when the clocks go forward an hour?
In New Zealand, daylight savings starts at 2am on the last Sunday in September.
As we ‘spring forward’ children’s body clocks can take a while to reset to the ‘new’ time as their daily rhythms are regulated by when they sleep and eat.
Newborn babies are usually not affected by the start or finish of daylight savings, but older babies and toddlers can be affected for a week or two and you may have an overtired little one on your hands as a result.
Getting kids ready for daylight savings
Gradual changes
- About a week before daylight savings starts, or as soon as you can, begin to adjust your little one’s day time naps times, mealtimes and bedtime routine by 10-15 minutes each day.
- Continue to do this until you have progressively adjusted their routine to fit in with daylight savings time.
- It’s only a few minutes each day, but if you do it gradually they will barely notice.
Black-out blinds
- If your kids struggle to sleep whilst it’s light outside in the evening or when the sun rises in the morning, try making their room darker with blackout blinds or by hanging thicker, darker or lined curtains, or by hanging a dark blanket in front of their existing curtains.
Toddler alarm clocks
- Young kids may not be able to tell the time yet, but you can set an alarm clock to go off for when they need to go to bed and when they need to wake up to help make it easier for them to understand and follow the new schedule.
Be flexible
- A time change always makes the days feel a little strange, even to adults who can understand what’s going on.
- Keep your kids' daily routines in place as much as you can, but be prepared to go with the flow and for things to not go to plan for a couple of weeks.
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Source: This article was written for us by
Baby & Beyond Post Natal and Sleep Consultants
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