It’ s almost that time of year… the clocks move back – and the days get shorter, cooler and darker.

Here are a few pointers to help prepare you and your family for moving the clocks from Daylight Savings (AEDT) back to Standard Time (AEST):

General Tips:

  • Keep your regular day and night routine
  • Maintain positive sleep associations
  • Remember consistency is key
  • Avoid any other unnecessary transitions over this time – eg. moving your child into a big kid bed or night weaning

Below is a step by step guide to transitioning your baby/toddler into the new time (Sunday April 5th 2020). My recommendation is moving bedtime, nap times, and meal times 15 mins later over a few days. You also have the option of doing this more gradually (i.e. 10 mins later per day over 6 days), or cold turkey; however, the latter can be more disruptive for children and babies who are less adaptable.

Date Transition Steps DLS Time STD Time
Wednesday (1st April) Move bedtime later by 15 min 7:15pm 6:15pm
Thursday (2nd April) Wake your baby up 15 min later in morning
Move bedtime later by 30 min
7:15am
7:30pm
6:15am
6:30pm
Friday (3rd April) Wake your baby up 30 min later in morning
Move bedtime later by 45 min
7:30am
7:45pm
6:30am
6:45pm
Saturday (4th April) Wake your baby up 45 min later
Move bedtime later by one hour
7:45am
8:00pm
6:45am
7:00pm
Sunday (5th April) Regular waking time 8:00am (doesn’t apply) 7:00am
  • The above assumes a 7:00am to 7:00pm schedule. If your child is on a 7:30pm or 8:00pm to 7:30am or 8:00am schedule before this transition, the above steps need not apply.
  • You will also need to move meal and nap times later each day by 15 minutes (starting on Wednesday 1st April)

Leave a Comment