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Clocks are scheduled to go back on Oct. 25, and an Ocado survey found 57% of parents expect the change to disrupt their child’s sleep. Sleep specialist Dr. Allie Hare recommends small bedtime adjustments, morning daylight and familiar routines; the survey does not establish that these steps will work for every child.
With clocks due to go back on Oct. 25, sleep specialist Dr. Allie Hare has advised parents to prepare children for the change with gradual bedtime shifts, natural daylight and familiar daily routines. The guidance follows Ocado research in which 57% of parents said they expected the clock change to disrupt their child’s sleep, though the source report does not provide the survey’s sample size or methodology.
Hare recommends moving a child’s bedtime in 10- to 15-minute increments in the days before the time change, rather than making a sudden adjustment. The aim, she says, is to give the child’s body time to adapt. The report does not specify how many days families should make these adjustments, so parents would need to decide whether a gradual shift suits their child and household routine.
Getting outside during daylight hours is another part of her advice. A morning walk, outdoor play or a visit to a park can provide natural light as children adjust to the new time. If a child wakes earlier than usual after the change, the report advises keeping meals, naps and bedtime as consistent as possible; Hare says most children settle into the new routine within a few days.
Hare also recommends keeping bedrooms calm, cool and comfortable, reducing artificial light and noise, and avoiding screens, music and television in the bedroom. She says a balanced diet may support general wellbeing and sleep quality, but the report does not present specific foods or supplements as a proven fix for clock-change disruption.
Preparing for Earlier Mornings
The change can shift the clock without instantly shifting a child’s established sleep pattern. For parents, that may mean a period of earlier wake-ups or difficulty settling at the usual bedtime, concerns reflected in the Ocado survey. The recommendations focus on manageable adjustments rather than changing several parts of a child’s routine at once.
The advice is guidance from a sleep specialist, not a guarantee that every child will adjust on the same schedule. The report says many children settle within a few days, but provides no study showing how effective each tip is or how adjustment varies by age. Families can use the suggestions as general preparation while keeping their child’s individual needs in mind.
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What the Survey Reports
The source report, published by MadeForMums, links the advice to research commissioned or reported by Ocado. It says 57% of parents expect the clock change to disrupt their child’s sleep, with earlier mornings and trouble settling at the usual bedtime among their stated concerns. The material provided does not give the survey date, number of respondents or question wording, so the figure should be understood as a reported expectation, not a measured rate of sleep disruption.
The report also describes wider interest in sleep and shopping trends: Ocado said 86% of British respondents considered good-quality sleep as important as diet and exercise, and 63% said it was among the hardest wellness habits to improve. It reported a 92% year-on-year rise in sales of supplements with “sleep” or “night” in their product names, along with increases for two named products. These are retailer-reported sales figures, not evidence that the products improve children’s sleep; the report’s clock-change suggestions instead emphasize routine and daylight.
Survey and Sleep Outcomes
The material does not state the survey’s sample size, fieldwork dates or methodology, leaving the context for the 57% figure unclear. It also gives no age breakdown, so it is not possible to tell whether parents of babies, toddlers or older children reported different concerns.
The report does not specify which children are most likely to experience disruption, how long adjustment takes for different families, or whether the recommended steps have been tested against a comparison group. Hare’s suggestion that most children settle within a few days is attributed expert guidance; the supplied material does not include supporting data. The year of the Oct. 25 date is also absent from the source text.
Keeping Routines Steady
In the days before the clock change, families can decide whether to move bedtime gradually and make room for morning outdoor time. After the clocks go back, the report recommends maintaining familiar meal, nap and bedtime patterns where possible, alongside a calm bedroom environment.
Parents can watch how their child responds over the following days rather than assuming every child will adjust at the same pace. The source does not announce a follow-up study or further guidance. If a family has concerns about a child’s sleep or health, they can seek advice from an appropriate health professional.
Key Questions
When are the clocks going back?
The source report gives the date as Oct. 25, but does not specify the year. Check an official local calendar for the applicable date and time in your area.
How does Dr. Hare suggest changing bedtime?
She recommends shifting bedtime by 10 to 15 minutes at a time in the days before the clock change, rather than making one sudden adjustment. The report does not set a fixed number of days for the process.
What can parents do if a child wakes early?
The report suggests keeping meals, naps and bedtime consistent and making use of natural daylight during the day. It says most children settle into the new routine within a few days, but adjustment can vary.
Does a particular food or supplement prevent sleep disruption?
The report does not identify any food or supplement as a proven way to prevent clock-change disruption. Hare discusses balanced eating as part of general wellbeing; the practical sleep advice centers on routines, daylight and the bedroom environment.
Source: rss
