Helping Your Baby Sleep Through the Spring Time Change
When do you officially welcome Spring in your household? For many parents, the clocks going forward on 30th March marks a real shift—longer evenings, brighter mornings, and (hopefully) better sleep for little ones!
Before kids, the spring clock change was a minor inconvenience—you’d ‘lose’ an hour of sleep overnight without much thought. But now? The silver lining for parents is that your usual 6 AM wake-up might magically become 7 AM, gifting you a precious lie-in (even if subconscious!).
However, the longer daylight hours can also disrupt baby sleep routines. Without early evening darkness, little ones may struggle to adjust their circadian rhythms to the new time. With the right baby sleep strategies, you can help your child transition smoothly and enjoy restful nights.
How to Maximise Your Baby’s Sleep During the Spring Clock Change
1. Choose the Best Sleep Transition Strategy
Sleep expert Susan, Founder of Settled Petals, suggests three effective approaches:
- The Big Jump – Instantly switch to the new time. If your baby usually wakes at 6:30 AM, shift everything an hour ahead to 7:30 AM.
- Gradual Adjustment – Ease into the change by adjusting sleep and nap times in 10-minute increments for a few days beforehand.
- Follow Baby’s Natural Cues – If your child is adaptable, go with their natural rhythm instead of the clock.
2. Ensure Comfort with the Right Sleepwear
Spring temperatures can be unpredictable—warm one night, chilly the next. The key is to dress your baby appropriately:
- All-season sleeping bags provide consistent warmth, whether it’s a frosty morning or a mild evening.
- Pair with winter sleepsuits on cooler nights to keep your baby snug after the heating switches off.
3. Create a Dark Sleep Environment to Boost Melatonin
Longer daylight hours and birdsong can make bedtime trickier. Help your baby wind down by creating a dark bedroom at least 60 minutes before sleep:
- Use Organic Blackout Blinds to block out natural light and support melatonin production.
- Dim lights and reduce stimulation leading up to bedtime.
4. Use Natural Light to Reset Your Baby’s Body Clock
Morning sunlight is one of the most powerful tools for adjusting to the time change. Spending time outside during the day helps reset your child’s internal clock and reinforces their sleep-wake cycle.
- Aim for outdoor play in the morning to align their body with the new light patterns.
- The warmer weather makes this easier and more enjoyable!
Embracing the Clock Change for Better Sleep
Adjusting to the UK spring clock change can actually be beneficial—especially with those extra-long morning sleeps in the first few days!
Every child is different, so experiment with these baby sleep tips and sleep-friendly products to find what works best for your family. With the right approach, you can help your little one sleep soundly and make the most of the brighter, lighter days ahead.
