On November 4, Daylight Savings Time will throw off naps and bedtime schedules. What can potentially be a challenging period for families is actually an excellent time to make effective adjustments to sleep routines with the help of Dream Baby Sleep®.
Click HERE to read their must have baby sleep tips for daylight savings.
I had a chance to interview Carolynne J. Harvey, Founder of Dream Baby Sleep® and Author of “Dream Baby Nights."
Why did you start Dream Baby Sleep?
I started my business in 2012 after hiring a sleep consultant for my fussy baby. I knew there had to be a way to improve my families sleep and I didn’t have to just deal with being an exhausted Mom. I was cosleeping, feeding on demand, rocking to sleep and holding my daughter for all naps. I was exhausted, it impacted me physically and emotionally. Once I realized that sleep training did not have to mean “Cry It Out” I knew that I had a powerful message to share. I wanted to help Moms like me who were suffering alone. That passion led me to 2 different Infant & Toddler sleep schools and I opened my business.
Why can just an hour time change make such a big difference for little ones?
One hour makes such a big difference because the current 5:30am early rising is about to become 4:30am. That throws off the nap schedule for the day and therefor impacts the night and the entire schedule starts to fall apart. Ultimately, baby becomes overtired and fussy creating an overtired state which makes it hard for baby to self-settle and fall asleep.
How can parents help their babies adjust for other time differences, such as travel?
Traveling through time zones is always stressful for parents, babies however adapt quite quickly. It’s important to plan in advance and prioritize sleep before you depart so you leave with a well-rested child. On the day of travel do your best with naps on the go and prioritize early to bed in the new time zone the first day you arrive. Adopting the new clock as quickly as possible is the key to success. Cap naps at 60 minutes each (3 nap schedule, 3 hours max day sleep, 2 nap schedule 2 hours max day sleep, 1 nap schedule 1 hour max day sleep) the first 2 days in the new time zone, prioritizing night sleep. The best way to help everyone’s body naturally adjust is mother nature, be sure to get in the natural sunlight at least 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the afternoon.
What impact does sleep have on baby health?
A sleeping brain is a working brain and it serves tremendous purpose. Sleep is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. The commonly used expression “I feel like my baby grew overnight” is not a myth, growth hormone is secreted predominantly during deep sleep. Sleep helps us fight germs, during sleep children produce proteins known as cytokines and the body relies on them to fight infection and illness. Well rested babies get sick less and are able to fight off infection faster.
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