Adjusting Your Baby’s Sleep Schedule to Daylight Savings Time

Daylight Savings Time is quickly approaching and, for many moms, that leads to nervousness and anxiety about their baby’s sleep patterns. How will baby adjust to the time change? Will that mean an earlier wake up time for both little ones and their parents? A 2013 survey
conducted by Pampers found that nearly one-quarter of mothers (24%) felt that a dry diaper was the number one thing that enabled their baby to sleep through the night. Moms instinctively understand the importance of sleep – and research proves her right! Sleep contributes to well-being in many ways, from physical and cognitive development to sociability and day-to-day mood. That’s why Pampers is so committed to keeping baby dry during the most important parts of their day: love, play and sleep. Through Pampers’ extensive research on sleep, they’ve learned that babies are more vulnerable to waking up when they’re wet. Unlike other diapers that offer two layers, Pampers diapers have three absorbent layers that provide up to 12 hours of overnight dryness protection. It’s Pampers hope to minimize sleep disruptions so that little ones get the sweet slumber they deserve and need!

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Disclosure: This review was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Pampers. I was provided the featured product free of charge to facilitate my review, but all opinions are 100% mine.

Babies generally thrive on routine and a fairly strict schedule especially when it comes to sleep. A typical newborn will sleep between 16 and 17 hours a day and many of them often have their days and nights mixed up. When I was on maternity leave, I was able to accommodate to my son’s sleep schedule but once I returned back to work we had to get him on a schedule so that he wouldn’t keep us up all night. Today, I wanted to share some tips on how to get your baby to sleep on a schedule and how to cope with daylight savings time adjustments.

How to Get Your Baby on a Sleep Schedule

The moment I got home from work, I would often prep my son’s milk for the next day and spend some quality time with him before I would tend to getting the rest of my mommy duties taken care of before bedtime. After playing with my son for about thirty minutes, I would get dinner prepared and the family fed so that I could start my son’s bedtime routine.

• I would give him a bath using the Lavender baby wash. The lavender baby wash is supposed to help calm and relax your baby.
• After we got out of the bath, I would dry him off gently and rub lavender baby lotion on him.
• Often times, I would gently give him a massage to try and help relax him. Here are some tips on how to give your baby a massage, if you haven’t tried giving your baby a massage after bathtime.
• After his massage, I would put him into his pajamas.
• Then I would snuggle him and feed him.
• After he was finished eating, I swaddle him and hold him until he was drowsy but not asleep.
• Then I would take him and lay him down in his crib.

Sleeping Training Your Baby

The goal of sleep training is to be able to put your child down while they are still awake but are drowsy enough to fall asleep on their own. I never attempted to sleep train my kids until they were at least 6 months old. I also don’t recommend sleep training a newborn because their tummy’s are still small and they require frequent feedings. However, it is never too early to start a bedtime routine with your child and establish a set bedtime.

Adjusting Your Baby’s Sleep Schedule to Daylight Savings Time

Next weekend is daylight savings time and if you already have your child on a sleep schedule or routine, you are probably thinking that your routine is doomed for several weeks. The good news, if your child is already on a schedule, they will quickly adapt to the changes. If you don’t have a sleep schedule, now is a great time to start a new routine with your child.

• Change your baby’s diaper before you put them down for bed.
• Use a swaddle blanket if your child is under a year old.
• Start preparing your child for bed 10 to 15 minutes early for a few nights so that you can put them to bed a few minutes early. You will want to start this routine a 7 to 10 days before daylight savings time so that you can slowly adjust them to the new schedule. When springing forward, start putting your child to bed 15 minutes later each night.
• Continue this routine until you have gotten them to bed an entire hour earlier and you will be set for the time change.
• If their room isn’t dark, you can add curtains or shades to help darken their room.
• Be prepared in case your child wakes up a bit earlier for the next week.
• Remember that an over-tired baby will be cranky and harder to get to sleep.
• If you mess up the schedule, don’t fret too much your baby will get adjusted to the time change.

Join Us on October 29th from 8-9 CST for Pampers Sleep Chat Twitter Party

Are you nervous about the upcoming end of Daylight Savings Time and how it will affect your baby’s sleep schedule? Join us for a #PampersSleepChat with sleep expert, Kim West (@TheSleepLady) to learn some tips for helping ease the transition and then, how Pampers diapers provide the superior overnight protection that can keep little ones asleep for longer.

Prizes include:

• Prize 1 – Twinkles Nightlight in Blue, 148 ct of Pampers diapers and a pack of wipes.
• Prize 2 – Pottery Barn plush security blanket, $50 Barnes & Noble gift card, a pack of Pampers diapers and wipes.
• Prize 3 – A gift card to The $125 Children’s Place for pajamas, a pack of Pampers diapers/wipes
• Prize 4 – A Kindle Fire so parents can purchase baby bedtime books, an $100 Amazon gift card to purchase the e-books, a pack of Pampers diapers and wipes.
• RSVP-Diapers and Wipes

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Do you have any additional sleep tips for new parents?