How do I adjust my baby's schedule when the clocks go back?

Move bedtime, nap times, and meal times 15 minutes later over a few days, gradually waking your little one later each morning too. If your child is less adaptable, spread it more slowly at 10 minutes per day over six days. Going cold turkey works but is usually more disruptive.

What should I avoid during a daylight savings transition?

Keep your regular day and night routine, maintain positive sleep associations, and stay consistent. Avoid stacking other unnecessary transitions over this time, such as moving your little one into a big kid bed or night weaning, which can make the adjustment harder for everyone.

Learn · Transitions

Daylight Savings - Moving the clocks back to AEST 2016

Sophie Acott

Certified sleep consultant · Author of Sleep Play Love · 13 years

Published March 16, 2023 · Updated July 17, 2026

The short answer

Ease into the clock change gradually. When clocks move back to standard time, shift your little one's bedtime, naps, and meals 15 minutes later over a few days, or 10 minutes over six days if they're less adaptable. Keep your usual routine, maintain positive sleep associations, stay consistent, and avoid other big transitions like a new bed or night weaning.

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

Here are a few pointers for preparing for the 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

This is the general answer.
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Below is a step by step guide to transitioning your baby/toddler into the new time (Sunday April 3rd 2016). 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 (30th March)	Usual sleep and feed times	7:00pm	6:00pm
Thursday (31st March)	Wake your baby up 15 minutes later in morning Move bedtime later by 30 min	7:15am 7:30pm	6:15am 6:30pm
Friday (1st 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 (2nd April)	Wake your baby up 45 min later Move bedtime later by 1 hour	7:45am 8:00pm	6:45am 7:00pm
Sunday (3rd 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

Sophie

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Before I could really answer this for you, I'd ask two things.

Tap one and I'll start your plan there. No judgment — there never is.

Daylight Savings - Moving the clocks back to AEST 2016

This is the general answer.Your little one deserves a specific one.

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Tonight can be night one.

This is the general answer.
Your little one deserves a specific one.