WASHINGTON — The shift to Daylight Saving Time can be tough for kids with sleep issues.
“Sleep is incredibly important for children,” says Dr. Neal Maru, a sleep specialist with Integrated Neurology Services in Northern Virginia.
He says the best way to help kids adjust is to put them to bed 20 to 30 minutes earlier for several nights before the time shift occurs, making it a gentle, gradual transition.
But for families on the run, that can sometimes be difficult, making Monday morning and the start of a new school week problematic.
Maru says to keep an eye on children who did not ease into the time change. He says parents can play a bit of catch-up by putting them to bed early Sunday night, and letting them sleep in a little bit before getting them up for school on Monday, schedules permitting.
As for the little ones, he says it’s OK for them to skip a Sunday nap so they will tire out and fall asleep easily at their new Daylight Saving Time bedtime.
“One day of crankiness to make sure they get back on a regular schedule is probably worth it,” Maru explains.
It’s also a good idea to invest in blackout drapes for children so they can fall asleep easier when the days are longer. In the morning, open the curtains wide when you wake them for school. Exposure to natural light helps reset their internal clock.
