Tips to help your child cope with the clocks going back

It is already hard enough getting your child into a regular sleeping pattern, but when the clocks go back this strikes additional fear into the heart of all parents. If you are looking for some help then there are three tips that we suggest:

1. Adjust the time of day to match the established sleep pattern e.g. if your child normally goes to sleep at 7pm then try to keep them awake until 8pm. For children who are not sensitive to being over-tired then you will find they will adjust naturally into the slightly earlier sleeping time.
2. Adjust the time by 15 minutes each day to the new time e.g. if your child normally goes to sleep at 7pm then either start to adjust them the Wednesday before to 7.15pm, or from the Monday after the clocks change move them back 15 minutes a day from 8pm. You must also try to adjust your child’s daytime nap accordingly.
3. You can stick to the original time and allow your child to naturally fit into a new pattern.

Other tips to help your child adjust:

1. If you can then try to make the most of the evening light that is left with some late afternoon outdoor play.
2. Try to relax your child in the 30 minutes leading up to their bedtime with softer lighting and soothing bedtime stories.
3. As always try to have an established bedtime routine for you child – teatime, quiet play, bath, story then bed. By having a good bedtime routine it should be easier for your child to cope with the clocks going back.

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