Daylight Saving Time (DST) kicks off on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 2:00 AM—aka the moment your kid’s sleep schedule decides to throw a fit. Just when you’ve finally nailed wake-ups and wind-downs, here comes “springing forward” to shake things up.

Parents, we see you. Getting a toddler to accept bedtime on a normal night is already a feat—now we’re supposed to convince them to fall asleep an hour earlier? Cool, cool. But don’t panic. With a little prep (and maybe an extra bedtime story), you can help your little one ease into the time change without total exhaustion taking over. Let’s make this as smooth as possible.

What To Expect When the Clocks Spring Forward

When 7:00 AM suddenly becomes 8:00 AM, wake-ups might be slower. But bedtime? That’s where the real challenge begins. Your little one’s body won’t be ready to power down an hour earlier, which may mean more resistance, more stalling and more “just one more” requests. 

On average, children need 3-7 days to fully adjust to the time change. Sleep temperament is key here—kids with higher sleep needs or those extra sensitive to being overtired might take a bit longer to bounce back. During this adjustment period, don’t be surprised if mood swings, snack attacks or low energy levels make a surprise appearance. It’s all part of the transition and totally normal.

The good news? We’ve got simple strategies tailored for a range of family dynamics. Whether you plan ahead or take each day as it comes, these strategies will help your family spring forward with ease (and hopefully wake up on the right side of the bed). Here’s how to ease into it.

For Families with Tight Schedules

If your mornings are already a race against the clock (school drop-offs, work hustle, finding that one missing shoe), easing into the time change ahead of schedule can help keep things running smoothly. Don’t forget, breakfast is already covered with our Classic Breakfast Plate and Mini Pesto Eggs Biteable! Just one less thing you have to worry about during the morning madness. 

• 3-5 days before the clocks change, start shifting wake-up and bedtime 10-15 minutes earlier each day.
• As mornings move up, adjust meal and nap times accordingly to keep hunger levels and temperaments on track.

For example, if your little one usually wakes at 7:00 AM and goes to bed at 8:00 PM:

• 4 days before: Wake at 6:45 AM, bedtime at 7:45 PM
• 3 days before: Wake at 6:30 AM, bedtime at 7:30 PM
• 2 days before: Wake at 6:15 AM, bedtime at 7:15 PM
• 1 day before: Wake at 6:00 AM, bedtime at 7:00 PM

By Sunday morning, your kiddos will be pretty close to the new schedule, and by Monday, it should feel like business as usual. However, if your kids wake up and the bedtime schedule is more go-with-the-flow, the next strategy might be a better fit for your nest. 

For Families with Greater Flexibility

If your schedule isn’t ruled by school bells and morning meetings, this laid-back approach lets you roll with the time change without too much disruption.

• That Sunday morning, let your little one sleep in—but not more than 30 minutes past their usual wake-up time.
• Keep meals, naps, and bedtime on their normal schedule, even if bedtime feels a little too early. Some pushback? Totally normal.
• On Monday morning, wake them at their usual time and stick with the new schedule from there.

You can expect some tiredness the first couple of days, but as long as you keep wake-ups, meals and bedtime consistent, they’ll adjust before you know it!

For Families Who Just Want to Wing It

We’re gonna hold your hand when we say this—if your family prefers a more spontaneous approach, that’s perfectly fine too. For those rolling with the time change, here’s the lowdown:

• Let Sunday morning happen naturally—no alarms, no forced wake-ups, just roll with it.
• Follow the new clock times as best you can for meals, naps, and bedtime.
• Get outside and move—fresh air and active play can help tire your little one out for that slightly earlier bedtime.
• Expect some pushback when bedtime rolls around. It might feel too early at first, but stick with it.
• Blackout curtains are your friend—dimming the room can help signal that it’s time to wind down, even if it’s still bright outside.

Bonus Tip: Use the Light to Your Advantage

Light exposure plays a crucial role in regulating your child’s internal clock during time changes. The trick? Using it!

Bright mornings = better wake-ups. Open the curtains as soon as they’re up to help reset their circadian rhythm. Natural light tells their body it’s go-time.

Get outside whenever you can. Daylight exposure throughout the day helps regulate their sleep-wake cycle, so let them soak up the sun.

Dim the lights in the evening. As the sun sets, switch to softer lighting to signal that bedtime is near. Blackout curtains can also help create a cozy, sleep-friendly space.

Screens? Best to wind those down. You’ve heard it before, but cutting back on screens 1-2 hours before bed really does help—blue light can mess with melatonin production, making it harder for little ones to fall asleep.