Fall Back

Fall back: Don’t Let One Hour Trip You Up

Fall back is a tricky time and it can be so stressful for some, but I promise it will be okay! I recommend choosing one of the approaches below, depending on what you think will work for you and your little one/s.

Option 1: The Gradual Approach

If you’re worried and want to be proactive, then the gradual approach is for you! I also recommend this if you have a 4-18-month-old who is on multiple naps a day, or if you have an early riser. 

What to do: On the Wednesday before time change, you can begin to push your entire day (including feeding times) later by 15 minutes each day. 

Option 2: Do Nothing

Not everything has to go according to a plan. Maybe you’ve forgotten about the time change, or your child isn’t consistent enough with their days/naps, or you just want to wing it! If this is the case, just try to get onto the new time as soon as you can. 

I recommend this strategy if you have a newborn who isn’t yet on a schedule, or a toddler who is on one/no nap. It could take 3-7 days for everyone to adjust, and an earlier bedtime might be necessary for a few days. Just be prepared for a few early mornings as everyone gets on the new time, but it will happen! 

Tips to Combat Early Rising

To combat the early rising that will likely occur, if you have a baby 7 months or under you may consider offering a very short bridging nap in the morning to help them get through to their routine first nap. 

If they are older, your best bet will likely be providing a distraction and/or a change of scenery to stretch them until their first nap. 

Light and Sleep

Light has a profound influence on our internal body clock, so keeping your little one in a dark, low-stimulation environment until their regular wake up time can really help them to adjust. When it is time to wake up, a big and exciting wake up routine can help set up the rest of your day. 

Whatever option you choose, remember that within a week or so, your little one will naturally acclimate to the new time so don’t let the time change stress you out and trip you up!