Prepare Your Child for the Time Change With Hatch Daylight Savings Assistant

Key Takeaways:

• Even small time changes can disrupt baby and toddler sleep, leading to bedtime battles and early wake-ups.
• Consistent routines, light cues, and soothing sounds can make the transition of Daylights Savings smoother. 
• Hatch Baby’s Daylight Savings Assistant automatically changes your child’s sleep schedule  to help them through the time change with less stress.

When Daylight Savings Time arrives each spring, losing an hour of sleep can throw the whole household off — especially babies and toddlers, who thrive on routine. Suddenly, bedtimes feel too early, wake-ups come sooner than expected, and naps may shift in unpredictable ways.

With a few small, thoughtful adjustments, you can help your child transition smoothly and keep sleep on track. Below, learn how to prepare your baby for Daylight Savings Time, what changes to expect along the way, and how Hatch Baby can help support your routine through the transition.

Table of Contents

1. How Daylight Savings Affects Baby Sleep
2. Daylight Savings Sleep Tips for Babies and Toddlers
3. Sample Baby Sleep Schedule for Daylight Savings
4. FAQs
5. References 

How Daylight Savings Affects Baby Sleep

Daylight Savings Time starts in the spring, when we set our clocks forward by one hour. While this shift brings brighter evenings and later sunsets, it also shortens sleep by an hour, which can feel jarring for both kids and adults. 

That sudden time change can disrupt the circadian rhythm, the internal clock that helps regulate sleep and wakefulness. Because this system relies on regular cues like light exposure and consistent routines, an abrupt change can make it harder to fall asleep and wake up at the usual time.

Kids are often hit harder than adults. You might notice your baby or toddler waking up earlier in the morning, acting irritable during the day, or resisting bedtime. These changes are common after the spring time change, but they’re usually temporary. The good news? With a bit of preparation, you can soften the impact of the spring clock change and help your child adjust more smoothly.

Daylight Savings Sleep Tips for Babies and Toddlers 

The best way to prevent sleep-related problems is to ease your child into the time change. It’s easier for your child’s brain to adjust to small adjustments over time rather than one, big time change the night of Daylight Savings. 

Starting a few days before the clock changes, try putting your child to bed 15 minutes earlier each night. If you usually put your baby down at 7:30 PM, put them to sleep at 7:15, 7:00, then 6:45 and 6:30 (which will become 7:30 when you adjust the clock). As you go, slowly push your child’s wake time forward at the same increments. If your child normally wakes at 7 AM, have them wake at 6:45, 6:30, 6:15, and then 6:00 (which will become 7:00). 

This approach works for kids of all ages (and adults, too), but babies, toddlers, and kids who are especially sensitive to schedule changes may benefit from an even slower transition. Stretching adjustments over five or six days can help prevent overtiredness and bedtime battles.

If you want a little extra support, Hatch’s Daylight Savings Assistant can help automate the process. In the days leading up to the spring time change, your child’s sleep routine gradually shifts earlier by small increments each day. By the time the clocks move forward, they’re already close to the new schedule, helping the whole family adjust more smoothly. Just opt in through the Hatch app.

Sample Baby Sleep Schedule for Daylight Savings

If baby typically wakes up at 7 AM, naps at noon, and goes to bed at 7 PM, you could try this spring Daylight Saving Times sleep routine:

Day 1

• Wake: 6:45 AM
• Nap: 11:45 AM
• Bedtime: 6:45 PM

Day 2

• Wake: 6:30 AM
• Nap: 11:30 AM
• Bedtime: 6:30 PM

Day 3

• Wake: 6:15 AM
• Nap: 11:15 AM
• Bedtime: 6:15 PM

Day 4

• Wake: 6:00 AM
• Nap: 11:00 AM
• Bedtime: 6:00 PM

Day 5 (Clocks Spring Forward)

• Clock shows 7:00 AM (but baby’s body feels like 6:00 AM)
• Nap: 12:00 PM (adjusted to new clock time)
• Bedtime: 7:00 PM (back to normal clock time)

However you approach the time change, aim to keep your child’s bedtime routine consistent to help their circadian rhythm adjust. Keeping your bedtime steps the same helps your child’s brain form associations with sleep, leading to better rest for everyone.

Explore how Hatch Baby can help you take care of your family, starting with healthy sleep routines.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Daylight Savings affect baby and toddler sleep?

Daylight Savings can shift your child’s internal clock, making it harder for them to fall asleep or stay asleep at their usual times. You may notice earlier wake-ups, nap disruptions, or bedtime resistance for a few days while their circadian rhythm adjusts.

Why do babies and toddlers wake up earlier after Daylight Savings?

After the time change, your child’s internal clock may still be running on the old schedule. That can lead to earlier morning wake-ups until their circadian rhythm catches up with the new clock time.

How long does it take babies and toddlers to adjust to Daylight Savings?

Many babies and toddlers adjust within a few days to about a week, especially when light exposure, meals, and routines stay consistent. If things feel off at first, that’s normal — consistency is what helps their sleep settle again.

References

1. Chen, K. (2024, March 5). How to navigate daylight saving time as a family. Stanford Medicine Children’s Health. https://healthier.stanfordchildrens.org/en/how-to-navigate-daylight-saving-time-as-a-family/
2. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. (2023, November 2). 5 ways to help kids adjust to daylight saving time. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. https://www.chop.edu/news/health-tip/5-ways-help-kids-adjust-daylight-saving-time