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WO3: I Support Her: Dr. Elise Hamilton, Prenatal & Pediatric Chiropractor
Dr. Elise Hamilton is a perinatal and pediatric chiropractor. She loves to share her knowledge by educating her patients to live a healthier life and to truly appreciate their body. She strives to help her patients feel optimal during pregnancy and post-partum. Then once the baby arrives, Dr. Elise provides exceptionally safe and gentle pediatric chiropractic care so more people have successful transitions into parenthood.
We had a incredible conversation about her focused journey to be a female-owned business. She loves collaborating with other female-owned business that also support families. She is a advocate for mothers in the San Francisco Bay Area by making sure every birthing mother knows they can have a wonderful, more comfortable pregnancy and birth, and also that babies can have the best start to life. She is certified in the Webster Technique, which is a chiropractic technique to help adjust and balance the prenatal pelvis. She also has a special ultrasound machine that can help with blocked milks ducks and reduce risk of mastitis. Dr. Elise has done extensive training and classes to perfect her craft and bring the best care all her adult and child patients.
Dr. Elise welcomes any questions about the benefits of chiropractic care for pregnancy, postpartum and infancy. Even if you are not in the San Francisco Bay Area, she can answer your questions and help you find a trained and certified colleague in the city near you.
You can find Dr. Elise Hamilton at:
Hamilton Chiropractic
248A Harbor Blvd
Belmont, CA 90042
650-394-6045
Social Media is @hamiltonchiros
To find a Pediatric Chiropractor in your area please go to: https://icpa4kids.com/
Interview with Tammi Reylea, Founder of W03 Connect: Partner, Promote & Support Female Owned businesses
In celebration of W03 Connect, a grassroots effort to promote partner and support female owned businesses, I am delighted to interview Tammi Reylea, the founder of W03 movement. I cant wait to share the story of how she decided to dedicate herself to this starting and growing this incredible female-owned business movement.
WO3 is a grass-roots movement dedicated to supporting women-owned businesses in three ways: Partner, Promote, and Support. Our goal is to create an annual movement on March 26, 2022 to raise awareness of female-owned businesses and inspire women to look for opportunities to support her all year round.
Why should You participate?
Impacts Communities:
There is evidence that shows that when we support woman-owned businesses, we are increasing economic stability in the families and communities they live in. Women are more likely to reinvest their profits in their community, family and education.
Access To Funding Is Still Challenging:
Women entrepreneurship is on the rise! That's the good news! However, while female-owned businesses continue to increase at significant rates, according to 2019 American Express "State of Women-Owned Business Report", between 2014 and 2019, "the revenue disparity between women-owned and all privately held businesses has increased since 1997."
Let's Put Our Words Into Action:
Women-owned businesses are becoming the core of our global economy. Our deliberate action and financial support are critical to helping them thrive!
How do I join in the movement?
It's easy to be part of this exciting movement!
Sign-up for the challenge - Don't worry, we'll send you reminders before the event.
On March 26, 2022, go and support ANY woman-owned business or service. YOU decide the amount! YOU decide who you want to support. Click HERE to sign-up.
Your participation in WO3 is also about YOU! The spirit of giving builds long-lasting inner joy for happier lives. Now that's a "win-win!"
Not only is Tammy is passionate, energetic, Tammi is also a fashion visionary and mom-preneur. As designer and founder of BRA_serie, she is on a mission: it’s time to reinvent the bra strap!
After hearing many women ask, “What do I do with these boring bra straps?” Tammi saw the need to evolve the bra strap from a functional necessity into a stylish fashion accessory.
In 2017, she launched her innovative brand called BRA-serie featuring stylish interchangeable bra straps from dainty to daring.
PLEASE JOIN WO3 CONNECT TODAY AND PARTNER, PROMOTE AND SUPPORT A FEMALE OWNED BUSINESS IN MARCH!
WO3: I Support Her - Ann McKtrick, Nurtured Noggins
In celebration of W03, a grassroots effort to promote, partner and support female owned businesses, I am delighted to interview Ann McKitrick. She is an incredible female-owned business who has started 3 businesses! Nurtured Noggins offers fabulous online classes for expectant parents: BirthSchool and QuickStart Guide for Parents . Ann also has a new Podcast called Parenting In The First Three Years . Lastly, Ann is the creator of TexasChildcareTraining.
Ann has always been drawn to children. She has been immersed in the field of early childhood education for 30+ years. She has worn the hats of infant teacher, University Program Director, College Professor, Children’s Pastor, Teacher Trainer, Parent Coach, Conference Speaker and Autism Consultant over the years. She loves to study children as they talk, play and interact and then look to child development theory to explain their unique take on the world, and why they do what they do. Helping others understand this magic of children is what makes Ann tick!
Ann is a Mom to three awesome young adults, Mimi to 3 grand babies, former foster parent to infants in crisis and an advocate for children everywhere. She is committed to helping new parents navigate the first years.
Ann offers 1-1 parent coaching (for grandparents too), group coaching, and parenting courses, as well weekly podcast for first-time parents.
Ann McKitrick, MS
Early Childhood Specialist & Parenting Coach
Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast
You can find Ann McKitrick at:
Podcast: Parenting in the First 3 Years https://anchor.fm/ann-mckitrick
Website: https://www.facebook.com/nurturednoggins for Birth School & Quick-Start Guide for Newborns
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nurturednoggins/
Facebook: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-mckitrick-5aa6592a/
Spring Forward 2022 - March 13th Time Change Tips and Tricks
It is time to “Spring Forward”!
In the US, we will turn our clocks ahead one hour at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 13th, 2022 and in Europe, it is on March 27.
Personally, I am looking forward to the extra daylight and a dose of Vitamin D from the sunshine. As with all time changes, the family should be prepared and expect some sleep disruptions. Below are some tips and strategies on how to tackle it all.
Be patient as it does take the body 5-10 days for the natural circadian rhythm to get back on track.
If you employ these tips, it will be easier for you to support yourself and your little ones through this time-change transition.
This time change can often be very difficult for children.
After all, imagine being used to a 7pm bedtime and now it’s been moved to what your body feels is 6pm!
To make the transition easier, I have outlined some tips to help your baby or toddler make a gentle change. Don’t worry. There are a couple of ways to tackle this transition and you can choose the one that suits your style and your child’s needs the best.
Before the time change…be diligent that your child is getting adequate naps so that they aren’t overtired.
Be prepared for your baby’s bedtime to feel earlier, since it actually is earlier. Remember, we’re jumping ahead a full hour, so what used to be 6:00 p.m. is now 7:00 p.m. (but it will still feel like 6:00 p.m. to your baby).
Exposure to morning light can help the body “reset” the circadian rhythm. If it’s too cold, open the windows and let in some natural light.
Try to get at least thirty minutes of sunlight first thing in the morning for that initial week to help your body tune into the time change.
I recommend that you choose between two transition methods for Daylight Savings Time.
Transition Method 1: Pretend that Nothing Has Changed on March 13th.
Best method for families with “early rising” tendencies (up before 6am)
Best method for busy parents who already feel “rushed” at bedtime.
If you have a child that actually wakes up before 6am, then this may be the right method for you. This method is probably the easiest for most families, as you will follow your daily routine according to the clock, but everything will be pushed ahead one hour.
If you choose this method do the following:
Move your clock ahead an hour on Saturday night 3/12/22, and proceed with your normal day Sunday.
Note: be aware that following this “do nothing approach” means your child will lose an hour, which has the potential to create a struggle at bedtime, because bedtime will be a full hour earlier than it was last night.
Because your baby or toddler is not aware that the time has changed, they will wake up at their normal time (hopefully), but instead of 6:00 a.m., it will be 7:00 a.m. (see what I mean about solving that pesky early rising issue?).
However, don't let your child sleep past 7:30 or 8am or else bedtime will be harder.
Proceed with your normal day, and be sure that your meals and naps, and bedtime are at the appropriate time (you may have to watch the clock).
Remember that your baby will be going to bed at their “regular time”. For example, if your baby is used to a 7:00 p.m. bedtime, put them to bed at the NEW 7:00 p.m. (which was previously 6:00 p.m.). It is very possible that meals and naps will fall into place naturally with this method, but be prepared that your child may not actually be tired at bedtime yet. Remember, they don’t understand why they’ve lost an hour, and it’s suddenly still light out at bedtime, so you may have to be a bit flexible or now might be the time to install those room darkening shades.
Transition Method 2: Make DAILY adjustments
Best for families that know the time change will be hard on their kiddo
Best for families who feel more secure when they “plan in advance”
About 5-7 days before the time change, begin putting your child to bed 10-20 minutes earlier, moving the time back every day or few days until you reach a full hour. So, if your child has a 7:00 p.m. bedtime, you want to begin with bedtime at 6:40 p.m. then 6:20 p.m., then 6:00 p.m.
Be consistent as possible with your baby’s food and sleep schedule. This means that you need to shift all meals, snacks, and naps earlier as well.
Watch the clock to stay on the new schedule of 30 minutes earlier.
Don’t forget to wake your child a bit earlier to help with this transition schedule.
After about a week, your child should be back at their 7:00 p.m. bedtime.
Adjust all meals, snacks, and naps to fit the “new” schedule on the same day that you shift to your child’s new, fully-adjusted bedtime.
Here is an example: If your baby or toddler’s bedtime is 7 pm, it will look like this:
Wednesday 3/9/22: 6:40 pm bedtime
Thursday 3/10/22: 6:30 pm bedtime
Friday: 3/11/22 6:20 pm bedtime
Saturday 3/12/22: 6:10 pm bedtime
Sunday 3/13/22: 7 pm bedtime (new time—old time will be 6 pm)
Keep in mind that the goal is to be back to your baby’s normal bedtime (and routine) in just a few days (some children may take a bit longer, so don’t fret if your child takes a week or so).
Tips for Parents:
Eliminate all caffeine after 1:30 p.m. in order to make it easier to go to bed earlier.
If possible, also avoid alcohol which negatively affects sleep.
Go to bed 15 minutes earlier than usual on the Thursday 3/10/22.
On Friday 3/11/22 go to bed 30 minutes earlier than usual.
On Saturday try to go to bed 45 minutes earlier than your usual bedtime (notice a pattern?).
Whichever method you choose, it’s important to remember that your baby’s internal clock is used to Standard Time. You may need to revert to some sleep training methods for a few days to help ease the time change. “Springing forward” also means that nights are shorter, which may be an issue for some children who are used to dark winter nights. Remember, every child is different, and your little one will adjust, but don’t fret if it’s not overnight (some toddlers can take a few weeks to adjust!). Prepare for the transition to take a few days, and watch for those sleep cues that will tell you when your child is tired and ready to sleep!
Overview On How To Handle Daylight Saving Time:
Decide which Daylight Savings sleep transition method you want to use to help your child adjust.
Take your baby’s internal clock into account and watch for sleepy cues.
Check to see if light is an issue, and consider purchasing room-darkening shades for bedtime, but also expose them to morning light in that first week to “reset” their internal clock.
Most importantly, be flexible and patient. A time change is often hard on kids and adults alike. Readjustment can take about 5-9 days. Just be mindful of the clock and your schedule.
Keep evening plans calm and watch for sleepy cues. Dim the lights in house and avoid screen-time that can be too stimulating.
If needed, use your preferred sleep training method to help encourage sleep and help your baby get the rest he/she needs.
If after the time change you are still having challenging sleep struggles, than don't hesitate to schedule a Time-Change Tune-Up.
THERE IS NO NEED TO LIVE LIFE IN A SLEEP-DEPRIVED HAZE!
SIGN UP HERE TO TALK TO A SLEEP EXPERT FOR YOUR SLEEP TUNE-UP SESSION
I look forward to helping you restore easy and calm bedtimes, quiet, peaceful nights, reliable naps and harmonious, confident parenting!
As pediatric sleep expert and a trained and certified Gentle Sleep Coach. I offer an alternative to the “cry it out” methodology. I am on a mission to help parents tenderly teach the “skills of sleep” to their children through a guilt-free, gentle approach and a full-service, proven system to promote a gentle, reassuring, gradual change that results in drama-free bedtimes, peaceful nights, reliable naps, and marital harmony. Want to find out more?
Click to know about my methodology
Click to find out how I can help you and your family members achieve Blissful Sleep.
Please join my Sleep is Bliss Tribe in Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn so we can stay connected so you can continue to get amazing resources on sleep and family wellness.
Let’s Support Female Entrepreneurs!! Get Ready for WO3 Day - March 26, 2022
I am proud to be on the Executive Committee Member for WO3 which is a grass-roots movement dedicated to supporting women-owned businesses in three ways: Partner, Promote, and Support.
Our goal is to create an annual movement (WO3 Day) to raise awareness of female-owned/female-led businesses and inspire women to look for opportunities to support her all year round.
Each year, WO3 is held on the last Saturday in March (Women’s History Month). It’s scheduled this year on Saturday, March 26, 2022.
My call to action to you is simple and it’s easy:
1) Go out and support at least one woman-owned business on Saturday, March 26, 2022. Your support can be local and/or global. Our mission is to build a global community of women that comes together for just ONE DAY to support female- own/female led businesses. There are no “rules!” You decide who, where, and how you want to show your support on WO3 day.
2) Let us know your committed to joining in on the movement by making your pledge at https://www.wo3connect.com/signup. It will take you 30 seconds.
3) Spread the word to family, friends and colleagues.
WO3 is the brainchild of BRA-série (www.braserie.com) Founder & CEO Tammi Relyea, a Northern California entrepreneur who is passionate about supporting woman-owned businesses.
Launching BRA-sériē introduced Tammi to dozens of other women entrepreneurs and business owners and WOhelped her realize that many of the challenges she faced are shared by other women running their own business.
Let's do this....Let us know your committed to joining in on the movement by making your pledge at https://www.wo3connect.com/signup. It will take you 30 seconds.
Let’s Praise the Female Entrepreneur!
Guess what! I am a Featured Sleep Expert on the Redfin Real Estate blog!
I am excited to be a featured as a Sleep Expert on Redfin.com and so I wanted to share the blog post!
There is really great information about how to optimize the bedroom for beautiful, blissful sleep! Read on and enjoy the tips and tricks!
https://www.redfin.com/blog/bedroom-remodel-tips-for-sleep/
15 Expert Bedroom Remodel Tips For a More Comfortable Sleep
We all want to get a good night’s sleep, but factors such as light and sounds from electronics can often distract us and wake us up in the middle of the night. Because of this, creating a bedroom environment that’s both visually and practically conducive to sleep is important. If you’re having trouble sleeping, we’ve got you covered. We reached out to sleep experts from across North America, from San Diego, CA, to Barrie, ON, for their best bedroom remodel tips for a more comfortable sleep. From keeping colors neutral to keeping WiFi routers out of the bedroom, keep reading to see what they had to say.
1) Find the warmest dimmable bulbs
It’s increasingly hard these days to find LED bulbs that are the color of candles or sunset (>3000k is like a blue sky, and 2200k is hard to find), but in reality, it’s those lights that are more amber hues that help our bodies realize it’s the evening and time for sleep. Find the warmest dimmable bulbs you can, and consider blackout shades. Good sleep requires a cool, dark bedroom, so do your best to create one. – Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine
2) Keep colors neutral in your bedroom and program your shades
Keep the color palette neutral to create a calming vibe for your bedroom sanctuary, including paint colors and bedding. Smart black-out shades that close in the evening and open at your wake time are great for simulating sunrise and sunset in addition to saving energy. Eliminate clutter and minimize distractions by selecting a nightstand where you can store stacks of books and accessories out of sight. – Sound Sleep Guru
3) Have warm lamps instead of overhead lights
I recommend having warm lamps instead of harsh overhead lights, as well as room-darkening curtains. Both of these items can help our body’s natural transition to sleep by dimming the lights 30 minutes before bedtime, followed by complete darkness once we get into our beds. You can add a comfy chair next to the bed and lamp to unwind with a book or another relaxing activity before turning off the lamp and getting into bed. – Mcgowan Psychological Services
4) Consider circadian lighting for your bedroom
Light is the most powerful “zeitgeber” or time giver to our body clock, part of the brain that regulates melatonin release, which helps set your sleep and wake cycles. Studies show that normal LEDs used in house lighting impact the body clock, suppressing melatonin production, leading us to fall asleep later and sleep shorter. Scientifically designed circadian lighting mimics the natural light levels at dusk/dawn, supporting the sleep system and a natural sleep/wake cycle. – The Better Sleep Clinic
Installing circadian lighting in your home when renovating or purchasing a programmable circadian light is a great way to mimic the sun for sunrise and sunset. These lights wake you up, energize you and wind you down at the end of the day by substituting the sun’s natural color hue and intensity, keeping you in sync with your body clock resulting in better days because you have better nights. – Family Sleep Institute
5) Use organic mattresses and bedding
Given that we spend 1/3 of our lives (ideally) in bed, we want the bedroom’s environment to be as healthy and as close to nature as possible. A bedroom should be a sleep sanctuary: dark, cool, and quiet with fresh air. Using organic mattresses and bedding, no-VOC paints and finishes, and installing soft incandescent light bulbs to limit artificial blue light are great steps to support healthy sleep. – Sleep Like a Boss
6) Incorporate red and amber colors to promote sleep
We know blue light disrupts the ability to fall asleep, so going in the opposite direction and using red or amber light promotes sleep by signaling the body to release melatonin. Himalayan red salt lamps give off this warm light and look beautiful, too; you can also put red light bulbs in your regular lamps to get the same effect. Lastly, you can maximize this effect by painting bedroom walls in sunset colors or warming neutrals. – Sugar Night Night
7) Install blackout curtains
One of the best ways to ensure a great night’s sleep is to use black-out or light-filtering curtains. Light inhibits melatonin production, which we need to sleep. When it comes to sleep, darkness is best. – Little Bird Sleep Consulting
Natural light is wonderful, and sheer blinds are fun, but blackout blinds are a must for those late summer days and bright weekend mornings. The main takeaway, keep it simple and serene. We spend the most time sleeping in our bedrooms. You want calming colors that help your feel relaxed and ready for sleep. – AM Smiles
When planning out your budget, make sure that you budget for blackout shades and curtains as well as a high-quality white noise machine. When considering what you put back into your bedroom after renovating, consider light sources from electronics. Steer clear of all white, blue, green, purple, and pink light, which can prevent you from falling and staying asleep, and if you need a nightlight, red is best. – Bella Luna Family
8) You can even get curtains custom-fitted
The best tip for sleeping well in your bedroom is a dark room. Consider installing well-fitting curtains or blinds to ensure no light comes in when the sun rises. We installed customized fitted shutters to ensure total darkness day and night in our bedrooms. – Sweet Dreams Consulting
9) Keep wifi routers and other electronics out of your bedroom
Although more research is needed, some studies have shown that exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) emitted from electronic devices such as Wi-Fi routers, cell phones, and laptops at night can lead to interrupted sleep. The biggest offenders are WiFi routers. That’s why I recommend being mindful of where you store your routers when renovating your home. Keep them out of the bedroom and somewhere you will see them before you go to bed so that you can ideally turn them off before retiring. – Kelly Murray Sleep
10) Put your heart into the remodeling project
As a place where you seek peace and rest, your bedroom is the most important place of your home, and how you decorate it should reflect that. No matter what choices you make, it should be a place you look forward to every day and one that you associate solely with sleep and positive feelings. – Not a Peep
11) Consider an air purifier
Sleep matters to everyone, and having a proper bedroom set-up for each family member is critical to creating the optimal sleep environment. I recommend each bedroom has darkening shades as well as a powerful medical-grade HEPA technology air purifier. The air purifier also has the additional benefit of creating white noise all night to diminish ambient noise that can disrupt sleep. The ideal bedroom temperature is between 68-72 degrees for every age. – Joanna Clark of Blissful Baby Sleep Coaching
12) Have a separate place to lounge and relax in your room
I find it beneficial to have a place to lounge and relax in your bedroom that is not the bed itself. This could be a chair or chaise lounge in another area of your bedroom. This way, if you are awake and tossing and turning, you can get out of the bed for a bit to reset. – Northern Virginia Psychology Professionals
Other considerations for a more comfortable sleep
13) Create a routine
I recommend that my clients create a creative bedtime routine before bed – power down electronics, yoga stretching, aromatherapy (lavender and eucalyptus are my favorites), shower or take a bath, choose clothes for the next day, etc. The more you practice the same routine, the more your routine becomes paired with sleep, leading to deeper and more refreshing sleep. – Dr. Josh Tal, sleep psychologist in NYC
14) Drink water and stretch
For snoring or other sleep conditions, stretching and positional sleeping are highly recommended as a must-have for your bedroom remodel. Did you know you could do an effective full-body stretch when you’re already in bed? We suggest simple steps such as drinking a glass of water at least thirty minutes before bed and a full-body stretch. – Better Sleep Inc.
15) For snorers, fill out the STOP-Bang questionnaire
If you snore, or someone has told you that you snore, try filling out the STOP-Bang questionnaire, which can tell you if you’re at risk for sleep apnea. A sleep doctor can use this assessment in addition to several other factors for a sleep apnea diagnosis. If a doctor determines you do have sleep apnea, there are a few changes you can make to your bedroom that can improve your rest, including investing in a pillow that helps you sleep in a better position or adding a humidifier. – Go Kick
LEGAL: This article is for informational purposes only. Individual results may vary. Redfin is not affiliated with nor endorses or guarantees any of the individuals, resources or websites mentioned.
Redfin does not provide medical advice. This article is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on Redfin’s blog.
Originally published on Redfin.com
Sleep Success Story: How A Sleep Deprived & Grumpy Family Regained Quality Time
Watch the video below to hear this sleep deprived family’s story.
“We were both very sleep-deprived. We were grumpy with each other, not enjoying our quality time with each other and our baby. Having tried an online class and failed, we realized we needed more hand-holding, which led us to finding Joanna. From the first day of sleep training, everyone was in a better mood. Everyone had a little more sleep. No one was traumatized from the sleep training. It was just a really positive experience. Now we're able to enjoy a nice quiet evening. I was able to start a new job, which I definitely don't think I could unless our child was sleeping well and through the night.” -Christina F—Child was 10 months at time of coaching
Sleep Success Story: From Wit’s End to Family Happiness!
Watch the story of one family’s journey from being at their wit’s end to family happiness.
“I'm a pretty calm person generally and I was at my wit's end. I was miserable. I dreaded the evenings. I dreaded the weekends. Now, it's family happiness in and around everywhere. I am a much happier dad and the bond that I've gained with my son through this process has just been invaluable. We're so much closer now than we were before. In a very short time our quality of life improved dramatically. The personal contact with Joanna through Zoom was tremendously helpful.” Basak & Scott (child age 2.5 years)
Benefits of Room Sharing for Children 0-12 months
In the video below I discuss the guidelines around room-sharing for children 0-12 months.
Another great resource is my Ages & Stages Sleep Chart which will talk about how much your child needs for day and night sleep and the right sleep intervals. Enjoy instant download at Sleep Matters: Get your Ages and Stages Sleep Guidelines