It’s Time to Spring Forward: Here’s How Daylight Saving Time Affects Texas Moms and Newborns

Babies have no concept of time, but they do know their routines. In fact, babies start recognizing their daily rhythms between 2 and 4 months of age. This is why an earlier sunrise in Houston, Midland, Fort Worth, or Dallas can cause major sleep disruptions.

Here’s what to expect from your little bundle of joy after daylight saving time on March 8, 2026.

The Effect of the Spring Time Change on Babies

Everyone needs time to adjust to a time change. Especially after losing an hour of sleep, it can take a few days to adjust to a new routine. Little ones, especially, can become overtired and irritable during this adjustment. (Cue the temper tantrums.) 

Here are the effects you can expect from your children, depending on how old they are when the clocks shift.

Newborns (0-4 weeks):

If your little one is super young, we have good news! Without a routine in place, springing forward generally won’t affect your baby’s sporadic sleeping habits.

We recommend carrying on business as usual through daylight saving time. You and your little one will be able to fall into a regular sleep routine in the next few weeks.

Infants (1-3 Months):

Infants this age may be falling into a routine, but quickly adapt to time changes. 

We recommend carrying on business as usual and starting with the new time on Sunday. 

Infants (3-12 Months):

Now, if you recently started sleep training with your baby, the time change could hit you hard. You can expect your little one to want to stay up an hour later than their typical bedtime. In effect, they’ll also likely want to stay asleep later than they’re used to.

Follow the schedule with the time adjusted, and after a few days, they will settle into their new routine. 

Toddlers (12 to 36 Months):

Get ready for your older kiddos to put up more of a fight at bedtime! Because toddlers are more settled into a bedtime routine, they might struggle the most with going to bed before they’re used to the first few days.

Expect a lot of emotions throughout the day as they adjust. After a few days, though, your household should settle back to normal.

Get Ready to Feel the Effects Yourself, Mama

Quality sleep is already hard to come by during the postpartum period. That’s why leaning on your support system is extra important as we approach March 8th, 2026. Take care of yourself during the time change by implementing these habits into your schedule now:

• Prioritize morning and evening light. Step outside and open your curtains within 30 minutes of waking up to stabilize your circadian rhythm. Getting outside in the evening helps boost natural melatonin production. 

• Block out personal time. Coordinate with your partner and reserve a small period of the day for some alone time. 

• Limit blue light exposure. Avoid scrolling on your phone late at night to ensure you’re able to get deep sleep.

Daylight Saving Time Sleep Training Support for Texas Families

Shifting our sleep schedules by one hour has the potential to cause chaos in our households. But the support of newborn care experts can help you minimize the adjustment period and still get plenty of sleep. 

With daily and nighttime care readily available, our Nightingales can help soothe your baby through the time change. And while we care for your little one, you can catch up on all the sleep that you need. Connect with our team today to see how newborn care fits into your routine!