Quick Facts (So You Can Breathe)

When is the change? Sunday, November 2, 2025 at 2:00 a.m. local time — clocks go back one hour.
Who doesn’t change? Hawaii and most of Arizona (except Navajo Nation) don’t observe DST.
What to expect: Earlier morning light can trigger earlier wake-ups for kids the first few days. Totally normal!

My Go-To Strategy: “Split the Difference”

Instead of flipping your child’s schedule by a full hour overnight, shift by 30 minutes at first, then finish the adjustment mid-week. It’s gentler on bodies and behavior.

School-Age Kids (No Nap)

Sunday–Tuesday: If bedtime is 7:00 p.m., put them down at 6:30 p.m. new time.
Wednesday: Return to 7:00 p.m.
Tip: Keep mornings calm and don’t move breakfast earlier. The goal is to anchor the day to the target wake time.

Toddlers (With Naps)

Sunday: Move both naps 30 minutes earlier (ex: 9:30 → 9:00 a.m., 1:30 → 1:00 p.m.). Bedtime 7:00 → 6:30 p.m.
Monday–Tuesday: Hold that schedule.
Wednesday: Return naps and bedtime to your normal times.

Infants 6+ Months (Predictable Schedule)

Adjust in 15-minute steps:
- Sunday: Bedtime 7:00 → 6:45
- Monday: Bedtime 7:00 → 6:30
- Tuesday: Bedtime 7:00 → 6:45 (optional extra step)
- Wednesday: Back to 7:00
Do the same with nap start times in 15-minute increments.

Newborns–5 Months (Unpredictable)

Treat it like a mini “time zone change.” Follow wake windows, keep feeds calm, and simply jump to the new clock Sunday night. It’s okay if the day floats for a week.

Guardrails That Make This Go Smoothly

Light is everything. Keep rooms dark at bedtime and early morning; get bright light after your target wake time.
Use a wake clock (for toddlers/preschoolers) to show when morning starts.
Don’t rush the morning. If they pop up early, keep it boring until your green-light time—then celebrate the “win.”
Protect naps the first few days—even if you cap slightly to protect bedtime.
Stick with your routine. Bath, PJs, feed (for 10+ weeks, feed first), stories, lights out—same order every night.
Give it a week. Most kids settle within 3–7 days; some need up to two weeks. Consistency wins.

Common Questions from Ventura Moms

Will fall back fix early wakings?
Sometimes temporarily! You’ll often see a day or two of “better” wake times, then bodies recalibrate. Stay consistent with the plan above.

What about California changing DST?
You’ll still change clocks this year. Any permanent change requires federal approval, so nothing changes for 2025.

We have sports or school—can we do this later?
Yes! Keep your evening routine the same and stretch lights-out by 10–15 minutes nightly until you’re back to your target.

Need a Pro to Personalize This?

If your child is under-rested, waking before 6:00 a.m., or nap-resistant already, the time change can magnify it.
I’ll customize a plan for your family and walk you through the week.

👉 Book a Free 15-Minute Discovery Call

Or check out more of my favorite sleep tips:

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