So the way I see it there are 2 options. You can have a read through and decide which is best for you and your family and at the end I will tell you what I do with my own 2 girls.
Option 1: The gradual approach/
In the lead up (aka NOW!), make your child's bedtime a little later each night so that when the time changes, your child isn't too cranky. So from today start putting your child to bed 15 minutes later and later each day. The idea is to do it in slow increments so that when you really do have to change, they will easily cope. That's the first part and probably the easier part.
The hard part to this is that they will still probably wake at the regular hour. Try and resettle if you can but if not, know they will just adjust after about a week. It may be a little bit of a tough week, depending on your babies temperament but try and go with the flow. Be a little flexible throughout the change, allow a little extra nap in the pram to help them make it through.. Or maybe do that extra drive around the block if they have fallen asleep in the car. There is nothing harder than an overtired child. Remember - sleep promotes sleep. The more tired they are, the less they will sleep. (That there my friends, is the most unfortunate rule of sleep consulting).
Option 2: Suck it up.
Don't change bedtime in advance and just take those lemons and make lemonade! In other words, if your child is a relatively adaptable child who is OK with an occasional late night (as in not a Gina Ford routine stickler) then maybe its just worth having a couple harder days and be done with it rather than a weeks prep in the lead up to it.
With either option here are the bigger problems with daylight savings clock change...
- This is when I find mothers get into the worst habit possible - bringing your bub/toddler back to bed with you. Yes 6am is now 5am and your child is ready to go, its annoying! Rather try and resettle them, bringing them back to your bed is short lived happiness. They may go back to sleep but you'll see that they will want to do this earlier and earlier each day. I always tell my clients "why would they want to sleep in their own beds or cots when yours is a much better option". Don't let it even be an option.
- Children can become ridiculously overtired. This creates unhealthy sleep manners and can throw everything out and in fact make your child wake up even earlier. Watch sleep cues closely and follow them.
DO:
- If you have a toddler, maybe now is the right time to introduce a Gro clock or Sleep Trainer Clock. With an older child - use this opportunity to start teaching them to tell the time.
- Have a very dramatic wake up routine - throw up the curtains, sing, make big gestures, show them natural light soon after they are awake so their brain can start learning that this is the appropriate time to wake up. A good wake up routine is just as important as a solid night time routine but something that is often not taught. This will help your child's internal clock.
- Make an extra effort to have really good naps and meals. A well rested, well fed child will cope much better with the changes and may be enough to make the difference in having a good week or a really difficult one.
So what am I going to do with Mikah and Rafaella.....
C'mon you already know - The Suck it up approach!!
Sweet Dreams and Good Luck!!
Bec x
www.belliesandbeyond.com.au
Rebecca Abraham, known to clients as a "baby expert". Rebecca has implemented an easy-to-follow and gentle approach for both parent and child. Taught by sleep guru Kim West (author of Good Night, Sleep Tight) she believes she will have the sleep solutions you exhausted parents are looking for.
Rebecca has completed the Gentle Sleep Coach course which is a one of the most comprehensive and few dedicated sleep courses in the world, learning from Kim West herself as well as top lactation specialists, newborn experts and several leading paediatrians.
Drawing upon her training as an early childhood educator, infant massage therapist, pre- and post-natal doula and sleep consultant, she has a uniquely multidisciplinary approach to your issues and thus can help you and your family develop a personalized and holistic sleep plan that suits you and your child.
Most importantly, she is a mother to two sleeping beauties Mikah and Rafaella
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