Is your kid still coming off the Halloween sugar high? I have more great news coming at you. Daylight Savings Time hits this weekend!
You may remember the times when we used to gain an hour. Now, we gain an extra an hour with our kids. Depending on your kid, this could literally make or break you. Kelli Wixom, of Sweet Dreams Sleep Consulting, (yes, sleep consulting is a thing, a v. lucrative thing) finds this topic so popular that she’s written a blog on the subject. I asked her for some extra tips, and have included them below.
- It will take most children 1-2 weeks or more to adjust to the new time change, even though it’s a little one — so be consistent. Stick to a bedtime and wake time, and don’t waver. Oh, and buy wine.
- If you have a set nap time, do not pull nap time earlier if your little wakes up earlier than normal. I know it’s hard, but hang. tough. Fresh air helps — give them a broom and let them sweep the lawn for an hour.
- Do not change bedtime. Sleep begets sleep. It never works to keep your child up later in hopes they will sleep in. Yes, you read that right, and no, it’s just not you. Yes, every kid hates sleep as much as they love screaming.
- If your child wakes early, have them stay in their crib/bed/cage (jk) until normal wakeup time. This sleep coach says morning occurs AFTER 6 a.m.
- If your kid is 6 months or younger and NOT on a set schedule, here is the guide for appropriate wake times between naps: Newborns (0-3 months) is 45-60 minutes; 3-6-month-olds is 1.5-2.5 hours.
- Wixom offers free 15-minute phone calls to explain her services and packages that would best help your situation. Email her at silvermoonsleepconsulting@gmail.com or message her on Facebook.
Melissa Kohlman is a local mom and Swaybassador.
