How Long 'Til Bedtime? | Sleep and Parenting Podcast

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143. [REPLAY] Choosing a Sunscreen with Bev Sidders Jul 08, 2024

Show notes

Buckle up listeners, this is a good one. This episode is packed with helpful information. Allison talks to Bev Sidders, a chemical engineer turned licensed master esthetician, about all things sunscreen…. plus a little bonus on bug spray as well.

Each question Allison asks Bev yields tons of great information. Here are some of the highlights: how to choose the right sunscreen for everyone in your family, which sunscreen ingredients you should look for and which you should avoid and why, how to use the EWG app to check the safety of the products your family uses, Bev's recommendations for specific sunscreen products for the whole family, what SPF we should be using and how often we need to reapply, bug spray brands Bev recommends and tips for applying, how to treat a sunburn, whether sunscreen really expires, whether going outside unprotected to boost Vitamin D levels is a good idea, the scoop on all those foundation and SPF combos out there… and much more.

Notes from Bev:

– choose a 100% mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide

– avoid aerosol sprays to limit risk of exposure to benzene

– avoid chemical sunscreens with aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and trolamine salicylate (both were deemed unsafe by the FDA in 2019)

– avoid chemical sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate (both are potential endocrine system disruptors and are not reef safe, but are found in nearly 65% of all non-mineral sunscreens)

– avobenzone is the least dangerous choice if you have to use a chemical sunscreen

– avoid sunscreens containing shea butter, petroleum, sweet almond oil, cocoa butter, retinols and niacinamide if you are prone to acne

You can find out more about Bev or ask her a question on her website, Instagram and Facebook

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142. [REPLAY] July 4th Fireworks and Sleep Jul 01, 2024

Show notes

As the United States prepares to celebrate July 4th with a long weekend of fireworks, Allison shares thoughts on protecting good sleep for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

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141. [REPLAY] Summer Travel Sleep Tips Jun 24, 2024

Show notes

Allison definitely learned from personal experience that summer vacations with infants or young children can be difficult. These adventures definitely can feel more like trips than vacations because young children still need constant care and they have the ability to derail any plans very quickly. In this replay of our listeners' favorite episode, Allison will help you navigate the sleep aspect of your summer travel so all the other pieces can flow more smoothly.

She'll cover how to work around naps and bedtime when traveling by car, how to best navigate your child's sleep schedule when flying, how to set up your child's sleep space in your new location, what items are true necessities when traveling with young children, what to do if you're sharing a bedroom with your child while you travel, and, probably most importantly, she'll walk you through how to reset your sleep habits quickly once you've come back home.

Allison recommends these products in this episode: travel white noise, Slumber Pod (use code SLEEPANDWELLNESS to save 5%), SlumberTot Toddler Bed (use code SLEEPANDWELLNESS to save 5%), travel toddler mattress

Allison mentions episode 26 on the crib to bed transition.

Use this link to purchase a 30 minute call with Allison for personalized guidance.

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140. Kid-Approved Summer Reads: Recommendations from My Elementary Schoolers Jun 17, 2024

Show notes

School's out and summer reading is in! Are you looking for a good book for your child to dive into this summer? Does your young reader need a little inspiration to fall in love with reading? This episode is packed with book recommendations from Allison's two daughters, who just finished third and fifth grade. Allison provides descriptions of books her girls loved throughout elementary school, as well as insights as to how her family has built a shared love of enjoying good books together. Tune in to find the right book to keep the young minds in your house engaged and entertained during the summer break.

Books or series recommended in this episode:

Magic Tree House

Keeper of the Lost Cities

The Spy School

Emily Windsnap

The One and Only Ivan

Whatever After

Harry Potter

Allison mentions Episode 63. Learning to Read - What I Discovered After My Daughter's Struggle

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139. Identifying Your Values and Saying No With Confidence with Stacey Olson Jun 10, 2024

Show notes

Stacey Olson, a Leadership and Positive Psychology Certified Coach, is returning to the podcast to discuss her new book, Your Balanced and Bold Life. Stacey helps leaders and professionals, many of them working parents, create more balance and less stress as they juggle being a parent, a high performer at work, taking care of themselves, and all the other aspects of their life.

Allison and Stacey discuss some of the topics covered in her book, namely how parents can identify their values, practice making their own needs a priority, and learn to say no with confidence.

Check out Stacey's new book or her website

Allison mentions Episode 89. Ditching Mom Guilt, Setting Boundaries and Creating Balance with Stacey Olson

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138. Maternal Mental Health: What I Want Every Parent To Know Jun 03, 2024

Show notes

As a recap to the previous three episodes aimed at building awareness of maternal mental health, Allison is sharing what she thinks every expecting and new parent should know in the hopes of helping other new and expecting parents who may struggle or are struggling postpartum.

Given her own experience, the work she does with parents and the previous guests she's interviewed, Allison believed she had a robust understanding of the challenges of maternal mental health. But then she interviewed Dr. Nicole Rankins (an OB/GYN), Dr. Stephanie Grice (a pediatrician) and Wendy Davis (President and CEO of Postpartum Support International). These three guests provided new insights. In today's episode, Allison is sharing the CliffsNotes version of those three interviews.

Visit postpartum.net for the free resources Allison mentioned

Learn more about the Connect by PSI app

Learn more about volunteering with PSI

Learn more about The Climb

Learn more about The Blue Dot Project

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137. How Postpartum Support International Supports Parents with President and CEO Wendy Davis May 27, 2024

Show notes

This episode should be a required listen for every expecting and new parent. One in five women and one in ten dads will suffer from some form of mental health struggle during pregnancy or the first year postpartum. Today's episode provides valuable insights into the free and easily attainable resources available to new parents from Postpartum Support International.

We strive to build awareness of maternal mental health each May with dedicated podcast episodes. In several previous episodes, Allison and her guests have referred to Postpartum Support International (PSI) as a resource for parents. Wendy Davis, President and CEO of Postpartum Support International, joins Allison today to detail the many amazing services that PSI makes available to parents all over the world. She also shares who these resources are for…. spoiler alert: it's anyone who could use a little (or a lot) of support!

Visit postpartum.net for more information and resources about postpartum depression and anxiety

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136. Maternal Mental Health From The Perspective of a Pediatrician with Dr. Stephanie Grice May 20, 2024

Show notes

The month of May is dedicated to building awareness of maternal mental health. One in five women will suffer from postpartum anxiety or depression, and this is the number one complication of pregnancy and childbirth.

In today's episode, Allison is joined by Dr. Stephanie Grice, a practicing pediatrician and a mom. Dr. Grice details the role a pediatrician can play in supporting moms dealing with postpartum depression or anxiety. She explains how this role has changed over the last decade, and what efforts are being made by pediatric providers to support the mental health of all members of a family.

She and Allison discuss the thoughts that might deter a new parent from confiding in their pediatrician, as well as the tools pediatricians can use to determine if a new parent is struggling. Listen in to hear the steps a parent can take if they feel they need assistance, or are having trouble finding someone to help.

Dr. Grice also shares the exciting new initiative they've launched in her practice that puts a whole new spin on caring for the whole family. It's an approach we think will help a lot of families.

Visit postpartum.net for more information and resources about postpartum depression and anxiety.

Connect with Dr. Grice on Instagram or her website

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135. Maternal Mental Health From The Perspective of an OB/GYN with Dr. Nicole Rankins May 13, 2024

Show notes

The month of May is dedicated to building awareness of maternal mental health. We devote episodes each year to this important topic, trying each year to approach the conversation from a slightly different perspective.

In today's episode, Allison is joined by Dr. Nicole Rankins, a board-certified, practicing OB/GYN and mom of two. Dr. Nicole candidly shares the training OB/GYNs receive around maternal mental health and the role they can play when a woman is struggling. She and Allison discuss the challenges women face when seeking help for depression or anxiety, what a woman can expect from her OB/GYN if they are struggling, and the significance of the screening OB/GYNs do after a woman gives birth. They address what steps a new mom can take if she suspects she might need some mental health support, as well as how a partner or loved one can initiate difficult conversations with the new mom in their life and her health care providers to get the necessary assistance.

Visit postpartum.net for more information and resources about postpartum depression and anxiety

Learn more about Dr. Nicole at her website or on Instagram

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134. When and How to Introduce and Handle Loveys May 06, 2024

Show notes

Today's episode is all about loveys, otherwise known as stuffed animals, blankies or comfort items that children sleep with. Allison is answering common questions she receives about loveys. Is it a good idea to introduce a lovey to your child? If so, when is a good time to introduce one? Can a child have too many loveys? What to do if your child doesn't show interest in their lovey? Plus, Allison shares three potential challenges that can creep up with loveys and how to handle them.

Click here to watch or listen on YouTube

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