The time change and its effects on your baby's sleep

The time change raises a number of questions for parents. Plenty of advice is going around, and specialists are divided in their recommendations: it is up to each family to find what suits their reality best.

The time change is often felt in sleep and mood, including in young children. It is as if the internal biological clock suddenly fell out of sync. Rest assured: after a few days of adjustment, your baby gets back into rhythm and returns to more predictable schedules, based on previous habits.

Daylight saving time

In March, we move the clocks in the house forward by one hour. In practice, this means one hour less sleep for the family, as well as daylight that lasts longer in the evening, which changes your baby's bedtime world.

Standard time

In November, we go back to standard time by moving the clocks back one hour. The days get shorter and exposure to light drops noticeably. This influences your baby's sleep rhythm, how easily sleep comes and how tired your baby feels, and your baby may be grumpier than usual during this transition. Often, the baby goes to bed in the evening as usual, but wakes up very early. In that case, it helps to keep a calm environment and to avoid stimulation until it is really time to get up.

Adjusting to the time change

To cope with the time change, some parents change the nap routine (the start time, the end time, the length), while others make adjustments to the evening or morning routine. Many choose to change nothing at all: a few days are usually enough for the child to get back to their sleep habits.

Whatever you decide, the important thing is to respect your child's sleep needs and to choose a bedtime routine that encourages relaxation and a feeling of security.