Navigating Daylight Savings with Children
Courtney Carter
/ Categories: WELLNESS, 2024

Navigating Daylight Savings with Children

Transitioning to daylight savings can be tricky for babies and children whose sleep schedule thrives on routine. But, with a little advance preparation, you can make “falling back” easier for all.

There’s nothing like sudden darkness at 4:30 p.m. to make your whole world feel off. The transition to daylight savings, both in the spring and fall, is especially hard on young children who live by routines. The impact can be particularly challenging as it relates to bedtime.

The good news is that it is possible to begin managing the transition before it happens so that, when the day comes, you and your child are ready.

For maximum success, you want to begin at least four days before daylight savings kicks in. This year, with Daylight Savings Time starting Sunday, November 3, you want to begin adjusting bedtimes no later than Wednesday, October 30.

Begin by pushing bedtime forward 15 minutes. If the normal tuck-in time is 8 p.m., move it to 8:15 p.m. The next night, move it another 15 minutes later to 8:30 p.m. and repeat so that on the evening of daylight-saving time (Saturday night), bedtime will be at 9:00 pm. Once you adjust the clocks on Sunday, your child will be back to their usual 8 p.m. bedtime.

And, because you don’t want to disrupt bedtime routines (think getting into jammies, brushing teeth, reading books, etc.), you must adjust the timing of ALL your routines for the four nights preceding daylight savings.

Yes, that means you’ll be eating dinner a bit later for a few nights, but the reward of not having a groggy baby or a tyrannical toddler will be worth it.

A few other tips to keep in mind as you ready to fall back as a family:

Avoid screens: Powering down screens of all type at least 30-60 minutes before bedtime to provide the best sleep quality and help you fall asleep faster.

Don’t skip naps: As tempting as it might be to try playing the sleep-swap games with children’s naps, it can lead to sleep deprivation that can affect a child’s mental and physical health.

Keep kids awake for bedtime: While your child may get sleepy as you push back bedtime, it’s important to try to keep them awake so they’re truly ready for the transition.

Also, if possible, put a pause on any big transitions, such as changing bedrooms or beds, or even potty training, until your child is comfortably settled into the new sleep cycle—typically one week. You don’t want to overwhelm them or have a lack of sleep negatively impact their progress toward important milestones.

Again, most children and adults can adjust to daylight savings within a week. Mustering an extra bit of effort, patience and consistency in the days leading up to it will have you all sleeping soundly soon.

Lynn Mann, DO, is a pediatrician at SVMC Northshire Campus.

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What to Expect During Your Outpatient Visit

Now that cases of COVID-19 in the state have plateaued and Governor Phil Scott has given the go-ahead to resume elective procedures, the physicians and nurses at Southwestern Vermont Health Care are eager to provide the elective procedures that were postponed at the onset of the pandemic.

At the same time, we recognize that we need to implement enhanced precautions to ensure safety. See news about the universal safety precautions we are taking here.

Two areas in particular, outpatient surgery and diagnostics (which include the lab and imaging departments), have put additional precautions in place to ensure patient and staff safety.

Outpatient Surgery

3 – 4 Days Before Procedure. Patients will be given directions to get a drive-up swab test for COVID-19. The test should be conducted 3 – 4 days before your surgery. There is no out-of-pocket charge. Patients are given a cloth mask and are asked to wear it and self-isolate until surgery. Results for most tests are expected to be negative. Your surgeon will be in touch with you if there is a positive result. Procedures for those who have tested positive will be rescheduled.

Day of Procedure. Patients should come to the procedure alone, unless they need to be accompanied for safety reasons. Both patients and companions should wear a cloth face covering to the hospital. They are screened for symptoms at the main entrance. Patients will be given a medical-grade procedure mask to wear once they are checked into the unit.

Post Procedure. After the procedure, we will continue to be available to you. You will be provided a link that can be accessed via your cell phone or Internet. The link includes a brief questionnaire to help us assess your progress and guide you to a smooth recovery.

Diagnostic Imaging and Lab Work

Like those receiving an outpatient procedure, every imaging patient will be screened over the phone before arriving at the hospital. Lab patients with appointments will also be pre-screened on the phone. All patients should come for lab and imaging alone, unless a support person is needed for safety reasons. Patients should wear a cloth face covering to the hospital and for the entire duration of their stay. Patients are screened again at the main entrance.

Patients will notice some changes in the waiting rooms. Chairs have been spaced 6 feet apart to comply with social distancing. Reading material has been removed to discourage touching things that have been touched by others. In addition, the exam rooms are being deep cleaned after every patient, and the waiting rooms and high-traffic areas are disinfected hourly.

The clinical professionals at SVHC are confident that these measures, along with continued social distancing, will allow patients to receive the care they need in a safe and timely way.

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