The clocks go back on Sunday and while some will be celebrating getting an extra hour in bed, many parents will be trying to prevent early wakeups. The change is likely to affect young children and babies – and give parents an early start on Sunday.
Baby brand Nuby has teamed up with Jo Rammell, certified infant sleep coach at The Little Sleep Spot to reveal exactly how and when to adjust baby and toddler bed times so that they won’t wake up an hour earlier on Sunday. Nuby has also shared how to dress a baby in winter for sleep as it said Google searches for ‘ideal temperature for baby room in winter’ had spiked by more than 5,000% in the past 30 days as temperatures have started to drop in the UK.
How to adjust your baby’s bedtime for the clocks changing
Jo said change needed to start on Tuesday night: “My top tip is to adjust bedtime by 15 minutes each night throughout the week before the clock change. So, if your baby usually goes to sleep at 6.45pm, shift it to 7pm, then 7.15pm and continue until bedtime reaches 7.45pm.
“By Saturday night, they will be going to bed an hour later and are more likely to wake up an hour later on Sunday morning. Also, during that week, keep the curtains closed and the lights off for 15 minutes longer each morning. This all helps to adjust their circadian rhythm, making it easier for them to adjust to waking up an hour later.”
Baby experts advise how to dress a baby for sleep in winter
In the colder winter months, most babies don’t need to wear extra layers. Remember that the ideal room temperature for a baby is 16C to 20C, so don’t panic as soon as we head into the winter months that your baby needs loads of extra layers, this might not be the case.
When the temperature drops below 16C dress your baby in a onesie, long-sleeve bodysuit or pyjamas and a 2.5-tog sleeping bag. If the temperature drops below 14C upgrade to a 3.5 tog sleeping bag.
For safety reasons, even in the colder months, the cot should be clear of blankets, pillows and soft toys. Babies should never sleep with a hot water bottle, electric blanket or near a radiator or heater.
If you’re worried that your baby might be too cold, look out for the following signs and adjust their sleepwear accordingly, as you know your baby best:
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Feeling cold to touch on their tummies, neck or back
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Becoming lethargic and slow to respond
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Frequent night wakeups