Daylight Saving Time 2025: Helping Your Baby or Toddler Adjust to the Fall Back

Daylight Saving Time: As we approach the end of Daylight Saving Time, many parents are wondering how the clock change will affect their little one’s sleep. On Sunday, October 26, 2025, clocks will turn back one hour, and while many people look forward to that “extra hour” of sleep, parents of young children often experience the opposite.

Here’s how to help your baby or toddler adjust to the fall back transition with minimal disruption.

How Does the Time Change Affect Children?

When we set the clocks back an hour, babies and toddlers may start waking up earlier than usual. For instance, if your child normally wakes at 7:00 a.m., they may now be up and ready to go at 6:00 a.m. (new time). Bedtime might also feel a bit “off,” and it can take several days for their internal body clock (circadian rhythm) to reset.

Children aged 5 months to 5 years are especially sensitive to time shifts. Their routines rely heavily on structure and consistency, so small changes can have big effects.

Three Strategies to Help Your Child Adjust Daylight Saving Time

Option 1: Gradual Shift – 15-Minute Increments

Start gradually adjusting your child’s routine about one week before the time change.

How it works: Move wake time, naps, and bedtime 15 minutes later every 2 days.

Example Schedule for a 5-month-old:

October 20 (Monday): Wake 6:00 a.m., Bedtime 7:00 p.m.
October 22: Wake 6:15 a.m., Bedtime 7:15 p.m.
October 24: Wake 6:30 a.m., Bedtime 7:30 p.m.
October 26 (Time Change Night): Bedtime 8:00 p.m. (which becomes 7:00 p.m. on the new clock)

By stretching the day little by little, your child will already be on track by the time clocks change.

Option 2: 30-Minute Adjustment (Faster Approach)

If your schedule doesn’t allow a full week of preparation, you can start about 4 days before the change and shift the schedule in 30-minute increments.

Example:

October 22: Bedtime at 7:30 p.m.
October 24: Bedtime at 8:00 p.m.
October 26 (Fall Back): New bedtime becomes 7:00 p.m.

This option suits toddlers or babies who can adapt to routine changes more easily.

Option 3: Adjust on the Day of the Change
Didn’t get a chance to prep in advance? No worries.
On Sunday, October 26, just follow the new time and keep everything else consistent: naps, meals, and bedtime.
Your child may be a little tired the first few days or wake earlier than usual, but most children will naturally adjust within 4–7 days. During this time, watch for sleep cues and try to avoid overtiredness.

Additional Tips for a Smoother Transition

Keep a Consistent Bedtime Routine: A warm bath, stories, and dim lights help signal sleep regardless of the clock. Want to know more about evening Routines? Read here :-).
Maximize Daylight: Expose your child to natural light, especially in the morning. This helps reset their internal clock faster.
Limit Evening Stimulation: Dim the lights and avoid screens at least 1 hour before bedtime to help melatonin production.
Be Mindful of Halloween (October 31): Since Halloween follows shortly after the time change, plan ahead so candy and excitement don’t interfere with the new sleep schedule.
Stay Calm & Flexible: Adjustment takes time—patience and consistency go a long way.

Final Thoughts

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach to handling Daylight Saving Time with young children. Whether you ease into it gradually or adjust the day of, the most important thing is to stay consistent with your routines.