Time change and sleep
We have come across this issue now a few times with Birch. Mimi and Poppie (yes,cutesy grandparent names- but they really are cute, aren’t they?) live in Arizona where it is a 3 hour time difference. In Italy we had issues with Birch’s sleeping too (not to mention ours).
So, we figured out a small trick that might help....I checked this with a sleep consultant (Jean Kunhardt of Soho Parenting- see her info under Sleep Consultants) and she agreed this was a solid method. So here it is, hope it helps someone.
If the time change is 3 hours or less- you can help your baby adjust to the time change in 30 minute increments.
For example…..7 pm bedtime in New York is a 4 pm bedtime in Arizona.
1. Put him to bed at 4 pm AZ time the first night.
2. The second night put him to bed at 4:30 pm AZ time.
3. The third night to bed at 5 pm.
4. And so on until you reach the 7 pm bedtime.
When you return, do the reverse. Honestly though Birch has adjusted just fine on his own. I suspect it has to do with the darkness.
Forget about trying to adjust for a 1 hour time difference. We found that to be the case when we went to Chicago.
But help is needed here…..The sleeping situation in Italy was a nightmare- Birch was asleep by 10:30 pm every night, but not a minute before. Jean said that if you are abroad for 2 weeks or more, it is worth switching over and doing the above method of 30 minute increments. However, if it less than 2 weeks, don’t bother. Anyone out there have luck with big time changes and sleeping? Would love to get your advice.
BELOW LEFT: Birch in Rome looking completely bedraggled as he was getting an average of 9 hours of sleep over there- yikes!
BELOW RIGHT: Papa Tree’s attempts to wrap Birch in darkness so he will take a nap while touring. Notice Birch’s outstretched hand and rattle in the other hand- he is NOT going to sleep.
Related Posts:
- Sleep- What it is all about (November 15th, 2009)
- Sleep Consultants (November 20th, 2008)
- Daylight Savings Sleep Tips (November 1st, 2008)
- How Much Sleep Does A Child Need? (January 8th, 2008)
- Adjusting Sleep for Time Zones (August 27th, 2007)
