24/09/2025
Daylight Saving Starts This Sunday: What It Might Mean for Whānau
On Sunday 28 September, clocks will spring forward one hour as daylight saving begins across Aotearoa. While longer evenings can be lovely, the time shift can be a bit disruptive, especially for babies, toddlers, and tired parents.
Here’s what to keep in mind:
⏰Sleep routines may wobble
Young tamariki often rely on consistent rhythms. Losing an hour can throw off naps, bedtime, and wake-ups, sometimes leading to overtiredness or crankiness.
⏰Feeding and settling might shift
If your pēpi is used to feeding or sleeping at certain times, you might notice changes in hunger cues or settling patterns.
⏰Gentle transitions help
Try adjusting bedtime by 10–15 minutes earlier each night in the lead-up to Sunday. This can soften the shift and help tamariki ease into the new rhythm.
⏰Stick to calming routines
Baths, stories, karakia, cuddles, whatever helps your child wind down, keep those rituals steady. Familiar steps can anchor them even when the clock changes.
⏰Darken the room at bedtime
With lighter evenings, blackout curtains or a dark sheet over the window can help signal “sleep time” to little bodies.
Try not to stress if it takes a few days
⏰It can be normal for sleep and mood to be a bit off for a few days. Go gently, offer extra comfort, and know that things will settle again.
Be kind to yourself
⏰This shift affects adults too. If you’re feeling off, tired, or stretched, you are not alone. Rest when you can, and reach out if you need support.
