The Anton Savage Show How to reset our sleep ahead of the return to school
Aug 24, 2025
Erica Hargaden, a Paediatric Sleep Consultant and founder of Babogue, joins to share expert insights on adjusting children's sleep routines ahead of the school year. She delves into the challenges teens face with their natural sleep rhythms and the benefits of gradually extending bedtimes. The discussion covers the impact of screen time on sleep quality, emphasizing the importance of reducing exposure for better melatonin production. Lastly, Erica offers practical strategies to manage early rising and create effective sleep environments for a smooth transition to school.
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Shift Bedtime Back Gradually
- Reverse summer schedules by shifting bedtime earlier first rather than focusing on wake time.
- Move bedtime 10–15 minutes earlier every few days so the body clock adjusts smoothly.
Expert Uses Her Own Bedtime Method
- Erica admits her own teenagers go to bed later than she'd prefer and she nudges bedtime earlier by small increments.
- She shifts them 10–15 minutes earlier from tonight and repeats every few days.
Teen Sleep Tends To Shift Later
- Teenagers' circadian rhythms naturally shift later, making early mornings biologically harder.
- Some regions trial later school start times to reduce chronic teen sleep deprivation.