Office News
Lactation Consultant
We have contracted with a new IBCLC, Jennifer Reynolds, who will be providing lactation support in the office on Wednesdays! Her cash-only rates are $100 for initial visits and $75 for follow-up appointments.
Call the office at (562) 473-4441 to make your lactation appointment with Jennifer!
March Highlights
March is National Nutrition Month!
This annual campaign focuses on making informed food choices and developing healthy eating and physical activity habits! Learn more!
Prioritizing Sleep
March hosts National Sleep Awareness Week and World Sleep Day, as well as our spring-forward daylight saving time change.
Prioritizing sleep is vital to all humans. Be sure to boost immunity and promote wellness by resting up! Sleep hygiene is an excellent place to start when helping your little ones get enough sleep at night.
Sleep Hygiene Tips
- Start the day with the sun and exercise. This helps regulate circadian rhythms and establishes a good attitude going into the day.
- Avoid caffeine in the afternoon and evening, including soda, other caffeinated beverages, and chocolate
- Prioritize comfort. Kids’ bedrooms should be quiet, cool, and comfortable. Humidifiers or sleep sounds can help to cozy up the space.
- Beds are only for sleeping. All other activities, like doing homework, watching TV, using a device, or playing games, should happen outside of bed.
- Keep a security object. A stuffed animal or blankie can help a kid cuddle and signal comfort when their parents aren’t in the room.
- Maintain a routine. The same series of events should lead up to bedtime to cue our brains to go to sleep. For example, having a bath, brushing teeth, getting into jammies, and reading a story from a book rather than a tablet are excellent ways to fall into a bedtime rhythm.
- Stick to the same time every night to establish a healthy schedule or rhythm.
- Avoid screentime before bed. Screens can disrupt our brain waves as we prepare to wind down. Turn off all screens 1-2 hours before bed and choose relaxing activities.
- Go to sleep drowsy, but still awake. Falling asleep in a place other than their bed can cause kids to stop associating sleep with their bed. If they’re nodding off on the couch, that’s an excellent time to usher them to bed.
- Limit nighttime check-ins. The more you peek your head in, the more your kids’ sleep will be disrupted.
- Don’t stay awake in bed. If your child is having a hard time sleeping, they can get up and do something relaxing without screens, such as meditation, calming yoga, or breathing exercises.
- Try a sleep diary. If your child is having a hard time sleeping, log sleep times, behaviors, activities, and notes. You can begin identifying what works and what doesn’t. And if you need to see a specialist or a consultant, then you have good notes to share.
Baby & Toddler Sleep
Check out our friends at Itty Bitty Snoozers for pediatric sleep consulting. If you are an exhausted family facing frequent night wakings, early mornings, short naps, and bedtime battles with your infant or toddler, get support from a sleep consultant!
Baby Sleep Coach Flyer
Important Dates
Sunday, March 8
Daylight Saving Time
Clocks spring forward an hour at 2 AM. Daylight saving time is associated with negative health effects, including sleep disruption and circadian rhythm issues. Prepare for the sleep hit by gradually adjusting to the change (going to bed and waking up earlier), adjusting routines, seeking morning sunlight, avoiding evening light and screens, and prioritizing sleep hygiene.
March 8-14
National Sleep Awareness Week
Sleep is closely connected to health and well-being and impacts us all.
Friday, March 13
World Sleep Day
This year’s theme is Sleep Well, Live Better! Prioritize sleep!
Tuesday, Mar 17
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Friday, Mar 20
First Day of Spring
The spring equinox is on March 20th.
Happy Spring!
Your Team at GHT
