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With clocks due to go back on Oct. 25, sleep specialist Dr. Allie Hare recommends small bedtime adjustments, morning daylight and familiar routines to help children adapt. Ocado research found 57% of surveyed parents expect the change to disrupt their child’s sleep; the survey details and methods were not included in the report.
With clocks due to go back on Oct. 25, sleep specialist Dr. Allie Hare has advised parents to adjust children’s bedtimes gradually, make time for daylight and keep familiar routines in place. The guidance, reported by MadeForMums, comes as 57% of parents in research by Ocado said they expect the clock change to disrupt their child’s sleep.
Hare recommends shifting bedtime by 10 to 15 minutes at a time in the days before the change, rather than making a sudden adjustment. She also advises families to get children outdoors in daylight, particularly in the morning, as schedules adapt to the new clock time. A walk, outdoor play or a visit to a park can provide an opportunity for daylight.
If a child wakes earlier than usual after the change, the report advises parents to keep meals, naps and bedtime consistent where possible. Hare says many children gradually settle into the adjusted routine within a few days. The report does not present this as a guaranteed timeline for every child.
Other suggestions include keeping the bedroom calm, cool and comfortable, reducing artificial light and noise, and avoiding screens, music or television in the bedroom. Hare also recommends maintaining familiar wind-down habits rather than making several changes at once. Her dietary comments focus on overall balance: she says no single food guarantees better sleep, while a balanced diet may support general wellbeing and could play a role in sleep quality.
Small Changes May Ease Early Mornings
The clock change can shift the relationship between children’s usual routines and the time shown on the clock. For families, that may mean earlier starts, difficulty settling at the usual bedtime or disruption to meals and naps. The Ocado finding that 57% of surveyed parents expect sleep disruption suggests the adjustment is a concern for many respondents, though the source does not supply the survey’s sample size or methodology.
The practical value of Hare’s advice is its emphasis on gradual changes and consistency, rather than trying multiple fixes at once. Keeping familiar cues around sleep may give children time to adjust, while morning daylight and a calmer bedroom are approaches the report presents as supportive habits, not guaranteed solutions. Parents whose child’s sleep problems persist or raise health concerns should seek advice from a pediatric professional.
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Why the October Clock Change Can Affect Sleep
When clocks go back, the official time changes by an hour, but a child’s established sleep and daily routine does not automatically shift with it. Changes in daylight and routine can affect the body’s sleep-wake timing. The report notes that young children may be sensitive to changes in their usual patterns, with darker mornings potentially adding to the challenge of adjusting.
Hare describes daylight as a strong signal for the body’s circadian rhythm and recommends gradual bedtime changes in advance. Her advice is framed around everyday habits: daylight, predictable timings and a restful sleep environment. The report also mentions the approaching festive period as a time when busy schedules and stimulation may make it harder for some people to wind down.
Ocado’s research also found that 86% of surveyed Britons consider good-quality sleep as important as diet and exercise, while 63% said it was among the hardest wellness habits to improve. The retailer reported year-on-year increases in sales of products with “sleep” or “night” in their names, but those commercial figures do not establish that the products improve children’s sleep.
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Survey Details and Individual Effects
The source does not state the date, sample size or methodology for Ocado’s parent survey, so the 57% figure cannot be assessed beyond the information reported. It also does not specify the year for the Oct. 25 clock change, making the date’s relevance dependent on the article’s publication timing and location.
Children may respond differently to the time change, and the report does not establish that the suggested steps will prevent early waking or bedtime difficulties. It gives no age-specific guidance or clinical evidence comparing the tips. The reported food and supplement sales are sales figures, not evidence that those products improve sleep; Hare explicitly says no single food can guarantee a better night.
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Give Children Time to Settle
In the days before the clocks change, families can consider whether to move bedtime earlier in small increments while keeping other familiar timings steady. Afterward, the report’s advice is to continue with consistent meals, naps and bedtime, include daylight when practical and keep the sleep environment calm.
Hare says many children settle into the new routine within a few days, but the source gives no specific follow-up study or official monitoring plan. Parents can watch how their child responds and seek pediatric guidance if sleep difficulties continue or cause concern. The immediate next milestone is the clock change on Oct. 25; how quickly any individual child adapts remains uncertain.
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Key Questions
When do the clocks go back?
The source says the clocks go back on Oct. 25, but does not specify the year. Check the date and time for your location, as clock-change schedules vary by country.
How can I adjust my child’s bedtime?
Dr. Allie Hare recommends moving bedtime earlier by 10 to 15 minutes at a time in the days before the change, rather than shifting it suddenly. The report does not give age-specific instructions.
What if my child wakes earlier after the change?
The report advises keeping meals, naps and bedtime consistent where possible and adding daylight to the day. Hare says many children settle into the adjusted routine within a few days, though individual responses vary.
Do particular foods or supplements guarantee better sleep?
No. Hare says no single food can guarantee better sleep. The report describes balanced eating as supportive of overall wellbeing and reports product sales, but it does not show that a food or supplement causes improved sleep.
Source: rss
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