How do I adjust my baby for the clocks going back?

Move bedtime, nap times, and meal times 15 minutes later each day over a few days, gently pushing everything back so your child settles onto the new time. Waking your little one a little later each morning helps the whole schedule shift along.

What should I avoid during the fall time change?

Skip other big transitions like moving to a big kid bed or night weaning during this window. Keep your usual day and night routine, maintain positive sleep associations, and stay consistent, that steadiness is what helps your little one adjust most smoothly.

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Transitioning from Daylight Savings (PDT) to Standard Time (PST) - 2017

Sophie Acott

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

Published October 31, 2024 · Updated July 17, 2026

The short answer

Shift later, gradually. When the clocks fall back from PDT to PST, move bedtime, naps, and meal times 15 minutes later over a few days so your little one lands on the new time smoothly. You can go slower, 10 minutes over six days, but cold turkey is harder on less adaptable children.

here with you

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 (PDT) back to Standard Time (PST):

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 5th November, 2017). 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 Nov	Usual sleep and feed times	7:00pm	6:00pm
Thursday 2nd Nov	Wake your baby up 15 minutes later in morning Move bedtime later by 30 min	7:15am 7:30pm	6:15am 6:30pm
Friday 3rd Nov	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 Nov	Wake your baby up 45 min later Move bedtime later by 1 hour	7:45am 8:00pm	6:45am 7:00pm
Sunday 5th Nov	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.

Transitioning from Daylight Savings (PDT) to Standard Time (PST) - 2017

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.