How to Handle Daylight Savings Time with Babies and Toddlers
Twice a year, parents everywhere dread the clock change. Just when your baby starts sleeping longer stretches—or your toddler finally settles into a solid bedtime—Daylight Savings Time hits, and suddenly everyone is off schedule.
The good news? With some simple preparation and consistency, you can help your little one adjust smoothly.
Why Daylight Savings Disrupts Baby and Toddler Sleep
Babies and toddlers rely on routine. Their circadian rhythms (or body clocks) are still developing, which makes even a one-hour shift feel like jet lag.
Infants may experience more frequent night wakings or shorter naps.
Toddlers often show crankiness, nap resistance, or full bedtime battles.
Quick Tip: Keep Bedtime Routines Consistent
One of the easiest ways to protect sleep during a time change is to stick with your child’s bedtime routine. Bath, pajamas, feeding, a short book or lullaby—when done in the same order every night—signals to your child’s body that it’s time for sleep, even if the clock says otherwise.
Consistency matters more than the exact time. This alone can soften the disruption.
A Glimpse at My Doula Approach
When I support families through Daylight Savings, I often recommend one of two methods:
The Gradual Shift (moving sleep in small increments over several days)
The Split-the-Difference Method (a faster, two-step approach)
Which method works best depends on your child’s age, temperament, and your family’s needs.
👉 Inside my Daylight Savings Survival Guide, you’ll find:
Step-by-step schedules for infants and toddlers
Nap adjustments by age
Troubleshooting tips for early waking and bedtime refusal
Toddler strategies using visual cues and “OK-to-Wake” clocks
Don’t Let the Time Change Ruin Your Family’s Sleep
With the right plan, the transition doesn’t have to mean sleepless nights. My digital download guide ($25) gives you proven, doula-crafted strategies, easy reference charts, and personalized tips I use with my private clients.
