The next time the clocks change will be on Sunday 31st March at 1am. When we wake up on Sunday morning the automatic clocks such as phones and tablets will have already changed, but you will need to change the time on manual clocks, watches and other devices such as ovens and microwaves. You will need to put them FORWARD one hour, for example from 8am forward to 9am.
When do the clocks change in March 2024?
Try our survival strategies to help you manage the wibbly wobbly timey-wimey stuff…
Changing bedtime by stealth
By sneakily moving the start of your little one’s bedtime routine a few minutes later (in the Autumn) or earlier (in the Spring) each night in the week before the clocks change, you can gradually move them towards the new ‘correct’ bedtime.
Pro tip – don’t forget to adjust meal and nap times by the same amount as well.
Go with the flow
Alternatively, you can take a cue from your child, and simply wait for their bodies to adjust to the new timings naturally. Stay strong until things settle down again!
Stick to a routine
Making sure your child has a simple, familiar ‘wind-down’ routine every night helps to cue them in to the fact that it’s nearly bedtime, even if it’s lighter outside.
Keep it dark
If the extra hours of daylight are a problem in the mornings (during early Autumn) or evenings (in Spring and Summer), blackout blinds in your little one’s room can help to make it feel like night time.
Pro tip – when it’s really light outside, closing all the curtains upstairs (or near your child’s room) before they head towards bed is even better.
Use it to your advantage
If you’re currently stuck with a bedtime that’s later than you’d like, you can always take advantage of the Autumn clock change to move things an hour earlier. Let’s all just hold onto that!
Use calming sounds
Help your child settle down, relax and fall asleep to these relaxing, calming sounds from CBeebies Radio.
