Tips on how to adjust to UK time

We are having difficulty adjusting to the time here in the UK from California Pacific Time (-8HRS). My 2yo son is very deeply rooted to his routines in the  States. His meal times, nap times, and bed times, were pretty close to clockwork. So they stayed the same here in the UK, regardless of the time change.

We've tried keeping him up during the day time but he's the type who will sleep anywhere if he wants to sleep. Nothing can stop him from nodding off and he will fight with us haha!

Any advice on how to get a toddler to adjust? Oh, we've only been here in the UK 5 days so I don't know if I'm expecting too much from him as well and that all of this is pretty normal.

VERY normal and will happen each time you go back and forth.

I find eating on time to be key.  And then just roll with it.  They say to allow one day for each hour of time change, so it may be more like 8 days (give or take) for you guys. 

This is DEFINITELY one of those times when you should "sleep when the baby sleeps".  I always find the "reverse nap" from 11pm to 1am a killer.

I don't have toddlers but I personally struggle with the time changes significantly. Like KFDancer said, eating on time is really the biggest help to adjusting. I hope he settles down over the next few days!

Bring the lights down and turn off the television or other screens when it's getting close to his normal bedtime, and when you want him up, open the curtains and let the light in.  Also, if the weather is nice and you're able, take him outside.  Light, especially natural light, has a big impact on circadian rhythm, and you can help him adjust faster if you make day vs. night lighting more dramatic.  Given how late it stays light out at night, I recommend blackout curtains in the room where he sleeps.  If he's able to sleep more restfully at night, and he gets plenty of sunlight during the day, in addition to sticking to his normal meal schedule, he should adjust in a few more days.

As far as napping in the daytime, let him have brief naps, but not full-on sleeps (if you can wake him without too much pain for either of you!).  Like, 20-30 minutes.  Then do something active and fun to get him up and going again.

Bring the lights down and turn off the television or other screens when it's getting close to his normal bedtime, and when you want him up, open the curtains and let the light in.  Also, if the weather is nice and you're able, take him outside.  Light, especially natural light, has a big impact on circadian rhythm, and you can help him adjust faster if you make day vs. night lighting more dramatic.  Given how late it stays light out at night, I recommend blackout curtains in the room where he sleeps.  If he's able to sleep more restfully at night, and he gets plenty of sunlight during the day, in addition to sticking to his normal meal schedule, he should adjust in a few more days.

As far as napping in the daytime, let him have brief naps, but not full-on sleeps (if you can wake him without too much pain for either of you!).  Like, 20-30 minutes.  Then do something active and fun to get him up and going again.

Good point about the light.  It's likely much brighter than wherever you moved from.

We don’t have a regular eating schedule right now so i’ll start with that. Also, since we live in a ground floor flat all the curtains are closed. So it does make sense to let more natural light in to help his body clock reset. He’ll also see when it starts to get dark to signal that it’s time for bed.

Thanks for all the tips!


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You are pretty lucky that you have arrived during our one week summer period.  You can actually use the sun to change the jet lag .  Last summer we didn't see the sun at all if I remember correctly. 

You are pretty lucky that you have arrived during our one week summer period.  You can actually use the sun to change the jet lag .  Last summer we didn't see the sun at all if I remember correctly.

There was a week in June when it was in the 30’s!  I remember it well as I had a newborn who wanted to sleep on me!

There was a week in June when it was in the 30’s!  I remember it well as I had a newborn who wanted to sleep on me!

The late spring was really nice last year and I foolishly thought that meant we'd have a great summer.  But other than that week of 30s in June, the remainder of my summer was grey and wet.

The late spring was really nice last year and I foolishly thought that meant we'd have a great summer.  But other than that week of 30s in June, the remainder of my summer was grey and wet.

Yes, from April to June is more often than not, the best of the weather so if you have any outside painting jobs, now's the time to get on with them. It will not necessarily be nicer in August! 

There was a week in June when it was in the 30’s!  I remember it well as I had a newborn who wanted to sleep on me!

Ok, my American mind tricked me. I though “oh god, how cold!” Aaahh i’m in the UK now, 30 celsius duh! Hahaha


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Ok, my American mind tricked me. I though “oh god, how cold!” Aaahh i’m in the UK now, 30 celsius duh! Hahaha


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Yup, last year we had a day hit 34.5C which was 94F.  It was BRUTAL.  You might think that doesn't sound bad... but here it's awful.  No ice, no a/c, no where to escape.  It sucked!

I can't imagine it hitting 34.5C in the Scottish Highlands. We're boiling when it reaches 22C!

Yup, last year we had a day hit 34.5C which was 94F.  It was BRUTAL.  You might think that doesn't sound bad... but here it's awful.  No ice, no a/c, no where to escape.  It sucked!

Agree! I've always thought it's worse to be too hot than too cold. If it's cold you can always add extra blankets or a hot water bottle but when it's too hot, there is just no escape!

I can't imagine it hitting 34.5C in the Scottish Highlands. We're boiling when it reaches 22C!

Yeah! It's all relative!