03/11/2026
Your baby doesn’t care that the clocks changed.
So for a few days, expect early wake-ups, weird nap times, and bedtimes that feel like they’ve come undone.
This happens every year and it usually passes within a week for most children, often sooner.
Yes it can feel like you’re losing progress but don’t fret – their internal clock just needs some time to catch up.
Here’s two things that can actually help:
Get outside in daylight during the day. Natural light is the single strongest signal your child’s body uses to reset its clock. It does more than any schedule adjustment you could make.
Keep your bedtime routine the same. The timing might shift by twenty minutes for a few days. That’s fine. The routine is the anchor, not the clock.
You don’t need to start shifting bedtimes by fifteen minutes four days before the clocks change. Some families do, and that’s fine if it suits them. But if that feels like another thing on the list, skip it. Most children adjust on their own.
When to check in with someone:
If sleep is still noticeably off after a week or two, or you’re unsure whether what you’re seeing is the clocks or something else, speak to your health visitor. That’s what they’re there for.
And if you’ve got a parenting question outside of normal support hours? The Anya app is there to help 24/7.
It gives you direct access to clinical experts and the option to join communities to meet other people in similar situations.
Enter your Camden postcode to unlock premium access free of charge:
