Sleeping FAQ: 4-6 Months – Other

How do I alter the routines for my 5.5mth old to allow for the time change when the clocks are altered?

I simply want advice on how to alter the routines gradually to take into account the time change when daylight savings are introduced. In Australia at the end of October, we lose an hour. Should we simply wake my daughter up an hour earlier or do it gradually over several days.

There are several threads on this subject on the members’ boards. As Australia is in reverse to UK you will need to look for the ones about clocks going forward in the spring, which is what happens here.

General: Clocks Going Forward: Mar 2005. This contains a link through to the item Gina wrote on this subject this year.

General: Forward Planning for Clocks Changing: Mar 2005

As with all time changes, whether because of daylight saving or air travel, the idea is the same. You begin the next day in the “local” time. Change your clock before you go to bed and wake her at the new 7am the following day. This means you will have lost an hour but this can be made up during the day, by allowing ten to fifteen minutes more for naps during the first day. Since babies feed and sleep according to their own body clocks, unlike adults who rely on watches and clocks, there is usually no difficulty in adjusting to the new times within a few days.