US clocks shift back Sunday
Pediatricians warn children face irritability and sleep disruptions during the transition to standard time.
By Ivan Dvorak ·
The United States will switch back to standard time this Sunday, November 1, at 2:00 a.m. Families across Georgia and the rest of the country will set their clocks back one hour. While adults may welcome the extra hour of sleep, experts say the change often disrupts the routines of young children.
Children are more sensitive to schedule shifts than adults because their circadian rhythms rely heavily on light and fixed times. According to a report by Hola magazine, children between the ages of one and four are the most affected. The younger the child, the greater the impact is likely to be. The adaptation period typically lasts from a few days to a week.
Sleep specialists identify several common symptoms in affected children. These include difficulty falling asleep, early morning awakenings, and daytime sleepiness. Behavioral changes such as bad moods, unexplained crying, and tantrums are also frequent. Attention problems may become visible in school settings.
Fernando Baixauli, a pediatrician and sleep specialist, notes that these reactions vary from child to child. He warns that the changes can affect daily performance. Cindy Villalón, a psychologist, recommends that parents closely observe their children's behavior during this period. If irritability or mood swings last for one or two weeks, she advises consulting a specialist.
Experts suggest several strategies to help families manage the transition. Parents should shift wake-up and bedtime by a few minutes each day during the week before the change. Maintaining fixed schedules for meals, baths, and bedtime stories helps anchor the routine. Exposure to natural light in the morning helps synchronize the body's internal clock. Limiting late naps, caffeine, and intense exercise before bed is also recommended.
Children with autism or other neurodivergent conditions may require a more gradual adjustment due to their reliance on routine. The U.S. Congress has not changed the practice of changing clocks, so families must prepare for this shift each spring and fall. Most children adjust within a few days if parents maintain clear routines and patience.
