Worried About Daylight Savings Time

[Nina's Mommy]

Getting worried about turning the clocks back... Nina is very set in liking her early bedtime (7:30-8, usually 7:40) and otherwise gets really upset and takes much longer to settle. This is fine, but I really don't want her to start going to bed at 6:30-7 after clocks change and waking up an hour earlier! She'd have so little time with DH then too. What can we do to gradually ease her bedtime back so it stays the same time even with the change? How do you all plan to deal with this?

Thanks.
Jill

[Isom'smom]

We have been going in five minute increments.  So far we've gotten bedtime up to about 7.30/8.00 and he sleeps until almost 7.30.  I hope it sticks....He was going down between 6.30/7.00, so we're on the right track.

[Nina's Mommy]

Glad you've had success! I've been trying the increment thing but since she has had some tough days with the reflux it's been too hard. If I can't get that to work today should I try a cluster feed and extra half hour catnap?

[Isom'smom]

I wouldn't change your routine, just bump it up a few minutes.  If she has a bath at 7.00, move it to 7.10.  Then do everything else the same.  It'll put her to bed ten minutes later, KWIM?  Isom is always ready to play after dinner, so I just helped him to last a little longer in playtime so bath could be later (cause after bath it's bedtime - his rule not mine).

[Nina's Mommy]

How did you help him to last longer in playtime so bath could be later without him getting too cranky and then crazed?

[Isom'smom]

Just keeping it low key.  We read or cuddle or sing quitely or chew on stuff.  If things get too crazy, I don't bump it up the next day, and once he gets used to the ten minute change, go for the next ten minutes.  Occassionally we still have to go to bed early if he's had a busy day.

[Nina's Mommy]

Sounds good. Thanks again.