Schedule by Day

Day 1 - Monday, April 12, 2021

Connection over Information: How to Stand Out and be the Go-to Sleep Coach in Your Niche

By Emma Dewey

During this workshop Emma will share how successful businesses have evolved and why they needed to. Also how to capture your audience’s attention and attract your ideal client in a way that feels joyful, authentic, and with ease. 

Live Q&A with Emma Dewey

Afternoon Experiential Session: Sleeposium Kick Off Event ​

Join us for some fun networking and community connection as we kick off Sleeposium2021

Day 2 - Tuesday, April 13, 2021

How to Holistically Support Twins & Multiples with Sleep 

By Maisie Ruttan

Ask any parent with a couple of kids, and they will tell you that supporting more than one child to sleep can be a challenge. Parents commonly experience difficulties adjusting to life with a second or third child. But what if your family grew from two to four or more overnight? Supporting two or more kids of the same age brings a unique set of challenges that many parents (and professionals!) struggle to comprehend let alone support.

This presentation will review some of the unique biological, psychological, and social differences to consider when assessing a family’s sleep situation; because, ultimately this is the key to providing gentle and holistic support for multiples. How does the early development of twins differ from singletons? What are some of the psychological blocks, challenges and pressures that parents of multiples face? And finally, how can you help support the needs of the entire family unit in a way that gets everyone the most sleep with the least tears?  

Live Q&A with Maisie Ruttan

Afternoon Experiential Session: Implementation Session

In these interactive sessions we will have an opportunity to debrief, discuss, and share learning from the sessions. We will also work on applying concepts, completing session workbooks, and putting concepts into action to better support the families we serve. We encourage you to join these sessions live on Zoom. We will be breaking out into group and network sessions.

Day 3 - Wednesday, April 14, 2021

(Other) Things that Go Bump in the Night: When to Refer a Child with Sleep Disturbances to a Physician 

By Dr. Dennis Rosen

Many of the sleep disturbances we see and treat result from sleep-onset associations, inadequate limit-setting, poor sleep schedules and sleep hygiene, and circadian rhythm disorders. Some, however, stem from underlying medical issues which require the input of a pediatrician or pediatric sleep specialist. In this session, Dr. Rosen will discuss some of the more common sleep disturbances arising from disease such as asthma, food allergies, gastroesophageal reflux, constipation, eczema, restless legs, periodic limb-movement disorder, and anxiety; how to identify them; and some of the interventions which might be necessary for treatment. 

Live Q&A with Dr. Dennis Rosen

Afternoon Experiential Session: Implementation Session

In these interactive sessions we will have an opportunity to debrief, discuss, and share learning from the sessions. We will also work on applying concepts, completing session workbooks, and putting concepts into action to better support the families we serve. We encourage you to join these sessions live on Zoom. We will be breaking out into group and network sessions.

Day 4 - Thursday, April 15, 2021

Designing a Sleep Sanctuary: Indoor Air, EMF, and Health

By Heather Boyd

A majority of our waking hours and virtually all of our sleeping hours are spent indoors. And yet indoor air quality has been frequently identified as being 2 to 5 times worse than outdoor air. Few families consider indoor air and environmental factors that can improve health and can lead to better quality sleep. As we learn more about COVID-19, the public has gained an appreciation for the importance of ventilation in indoor spaces. 

Many of the factors that reduce air quality are compounded at night because: 

• Airways are relaxed and open 
• Sleep spaces may be lower to the ground where dust settles 
• Detox processes happen during restorative sleep, but cannot occur when environments are not healthy 
• Sleep surfaces (mattresses and pillows) are used for several hours a day and may, themselves, be a concern  

Families who can identify key factors that lead to poor indoor air (including dust, mould, allergens, and other inflammagens), and who can understand what evidence-based choices they have, can make wise choices to improve indoor conditions.  

In this presentation, the concepts around environmentally healthy “sleep sanctuaries” will be explored. Heather will introduce: 

• Evidence-based health issues related to indoor air quality, dust, mould, VOCs, and EMFs
• What to include in a client intake interview when exploring environmental contributors to poor sleep
• Ways clients can assess and improve indoor air quality (including air filters, furnaces, ventilation, mattresses, and house cleaning)
• Ways clients can assess and improve sleeping spaces from an EMF perspective (including a discussion on baby monitors) 

The aim of this presentation is to help sleep consultants identify the environment as a possible contributor to poor sleep, and identify ways to improve sleep through environmental strategies while being sensitive to many of the constraints (financial, energy, living spaces, and time) that families with babies and young children have. 

Live Q&A with Heather Boyd

Afternoon Experiential Session: The Business of Supporting Families with the Babyem Team

Join Emma Dewey and the Babyem team for tips and tricks to stand out in your niche, get unstuck, and take your business to the next level.

Day 5 - Friday, April 16, 2021

The Unique Infant Brain and Sleep  

By Greer Kirshenbaum PhD

The infant brain is incredibly unique and special.  Infancy, from 0 to 3 years old, is the most explosive time for brain development where an incredible one million connections per second are formed in the brain.  In infancy, genetics and experience together build fundamental brain structures that support lifetime health. The most important experiences for the developing brain are responsive relationships and co-regulation during stress.  Sleep is an important part of infant brain development and providing safe supported sleep is highly enriching. 

We will look at exactly how the brain grows in infancy, how sleep is fundamental to the developing infant brain, and how we can support both brain development and sleep.  

Outcomes: 

Understand: 

1. Why the infant brain is unique. 
2. How stress systems develop in the infant brain 
3. How responsive relationships are enriching 
4. How sleep is impacted by relationships and co-regulation 
5. Ways to support brain development and sleep

Live Q&A with Greer Kirshenbaum

Afternoon Experiential Session: Therapist led Debrief and Processing Session, Sponsored by Bebo Mia

As we are learning more about infant sleep it is normal to reflect on our own lived experiences with sleep, parenting, and infant development. This can elicit some very big, valid, and sometimes uncomfortable feelings. Join Shannon MacAulay, RSW, MCAP for a therapist-led debrief and processing session to support you with integrating the new information you are learning in a safe, shame, and judgement free environment.

Introduction of Bebo Mia: Bebo Mia is a training & mentorship organization for birth nerds, birth workers, & change makers wanting to work, or are already working, in the reproductive health field, including, but not limited to, parenting specialists, pregnancy/birth professionals, & childbirth educators. www.bebomia.com

Day 6 - Monday, April 19, 2021

Evaluation and Management of Common Behavioral Sleep Problems in Children; When to Worry 

By Dr. Reshma Amin

This 1 hour session will provide a systematic approach to the evaluation of behavioral sleep problems in children. Disorders related to sleep onset and sleep maintenance will be discussed. The session will review the main behavioral strategies to address these problems in clinical practice. The potential pros and cons of these strategies will be reviewed. In addition, red flags will be highlighted and referral criteria will also be presented.

Live Q&A with Dr. Reshma Amin

Afternoon Experiential Session: Implementation Session + Laughter Yoga

In these interactive sessions we will have an opportunity to debrief, discuss, and share learning from the sessions. We will also work on applying concepts, completing session workbooks, and putting concepts into action to better support the families we serve. We encourage you to join these sessions live on Zoom. We will be breaking out into group and network sessions. Bonus: Laughter Yoga at 3:00 PM!

Day 7 - Tuesday, April 20, 2021

The Dance of Sleep and Separation

By Deborah MacNamara, PhD

There are many reasons we need our children to go to sleep when we want them to, for their sake and certainly for ours. Sleep cannot be commanded however, in children or ourselves for that matter. The more urgent we become about sleep, the less likely it is to happen.  

This is no small issue. Nor is it just a contemporary one. Parents have been facing this problem ever since they figured out how to have children. For children it is primarily a separation issue – the first of a myriad of separation issues they will face in their life. The way we help parents solve this issue can have lasting effects in many arenas – their future parenting, their relationship with the child, never mind the child's emotions and personality. 

 Unfortunately, many have taken a wrong turn with sleep issues, some playing the separation card to bring sleep as a defense; others making the child responsible to learn self-soothing skills. 

The answer to the sleep problem lies in understanding the nature of the underlying threat. Dr. McNamara will discuss why youngsters have sleep problems in the first place, and then outline a safe three-pronged approach that can address most any problem that can exist for a child. She will also discuss the most ancient and traditional tool of all for helping children go peacefully to sleep, together with the reasons that science is now giving us for how and why this tool works. If we can help parents solve the bedtime problem properly, it will serve as a template for solving a myriad of problems along the way.  

Live Q&A with Deborah MacNamara

Afternoon Experiential Session: Building your Dream Sleep Business with Andrea Strang

Do you feel like a solopreneur, doing everything on your own? Would you like to be part of a large and loving Sleep Coach community? Join Andrea Strang and several members of the Sleep Coach Collective as they describe their experience of the last six months organizing and nurturing a community of sleep coaches and sleep consultants where information and challenges are shared, help is provided, and frustrations can be aired in a non-judgemental, supportive environment.

Day 8 - Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Monsters in the Closet: Practical Strategies for Children’s Anxiety and Nighttime Worries

By Shannon Rolph

We all know those children who fear monsters in the closet - their worries are big and very real. Those worries also make bedtime and sleep a significant challenge for both child and caregivers alike. Many caregivers try to reassure those worries away, but reassurance alone is generally either ineffective or downright unhelpful. So, what else can parents do?

After attending this workshop you will be able to answer that question for them. You will walk away with a thorough understanding of what anxiety is and why worries happen. You will be equipped with practical strategies and tools to help caregivers address their child’s worries. You will feel confident in coaching families through these challenging situations in a way that is grounded in connection, emphasizes understanding, and is backed by research.

Live Q&A with Shannon Rolph

Afternoon Experiential Session: Journey through the Pandemic: Using the Labyrinth process to gather insight, wisdom & peace one year later with Nelia DeAmaral​

This past year has impacted us all and many of us haven't had the time or space to reflect on, or even process our experience. A Labyrinth is an ancient tool for gentle self reflection and a map for the human experience of the many twists and turns of life. In this interactive session, we use a labyrinth meditation process & journalling to explore the themes that have impacted you this year - your gains, losses, personal reflections, what you learned and discovered. There will be time and space to debrief the experience for those who wish to share, as well as a group process for sharing key words or phrases anonymously.

Nelia DeAmaral, a Registered Psychotherapist & published author, supports women at all life stages. In addition to her experience as a Doula, for over 20 years she has counselled women as they move through life's many challenges. She offers in person care as well as virtual support for individuals, groups, and professionals. Nelia creates a warm, creative, & focused space, where self-compassion & personal growth can occur. She has specialized expertise in working with difficult or traumatic birth and postpartum experiences. Nelia is a passionate advocate for women's mental health & well-being. She can be reached at neliadeamaral.com

Day 9 - Thursday, April 22, 2021

​The Effect of Depression and PTSD on Mother-Infant Sleep 

By Kathleen Kendall-Tackett

Can mothers’ mental state affect how mothers and babies sleep? This talk examines the impact of maternal depression and PTSD on mother-infant sleep. If mothers have depression or PTSD during pregnancy, if affects their babies’ sleep, but other factors moderate those effects. Breastfeeding also affects mother-infant sleep, but there are substantial differences in these effects between exclusive and partial breastfeeding. Infant sleep location adds one more factor that affects outcomes for both mothers and babies. The message of this presentation is this: maternal mental health does impact both mothers’ and babies’ sleep and it can make breastfeeding more difficult. However, mothers can overcome these effects and breastfeeding is one important way to modify the physiological effects of depression and trauma.

Live Q&A with Kathleen Kendall-Tackett

Afternoon Experiential Session: Implementation Session

In these interactive sessions we will have an opportunity to debrief, discuss, and share learning from the sessions. We will also work on applying concepts, completing session workbooks, and putting concepts into action to better support the families we serve. We encourage you to join these sessions live on Zoom. We will be breaking out into group and network sessions.

Day 10 - Friday, April 23, 2021

How Temperament Affects Sleep, Sleep Coaching, and Everything Else

By Macall Gordon

Temperament—not behavior—may be the deciding factor in whether a child sleeps well or not. We’ll talk about the unique characteristics of children with more sensitive/reactive temperaments and the challenges that it presents for sleep behavior and parenting. This talk will look at existing research on temperament and sleep, and I’ll discuss my research based on information from 850 parents about how temperament relates to experiences with sleep and parenting. We’ll also discuss how to approach parents’ sleep questions with temperament strengths and challenges in mind. 

Live Q&A with Macall Gordon

Afternoon Experiential Session: SleepOut Presentation + Implementation​ Session

Join us for an interactive implementation session and introduction to a new innovative product to support optimal sleep environments, The Sleepout team is preparing to take their product to Dragon's Den and Kickstarter. The Sleepout team also has some amazing giveaway prizes to share.

Day 11 - Monday, April 26, 2021 - Bonus Day!

Reflux as a Symptom of Underlying Issues

By Kaili Ets

Reflux is a very important topic in the world of infants (and their parents!). As professionals who are supporting families with sleep, we need to be aware of the potential impacts of reflux on sleep.  Many families that come to you might have a child with reflux, and that must be dealt with in addition to any behavioral issues affecting sleep. 
Reflux is often mis-understood in the medical community. Sometimes parents are told to wait it out or are told that medication is the only answer. This goes against your instincts as a parent, are not at all empowering, and are not actually helping with the reflux. It is important to understand why reflux is happening, because it is always a symptom of something else and someone needs to be looking at the cause! 
In this presentation, my aim is to teach you what to look for in your clients and how to at the very least determine what might be causing the reflux so that you can then refer your clients to practitioners that can help them resolve it.

Live Q&A with Kaili Ets

Farewell Party and Giveaways + Afro-Celebration Mini Session

This event is all about fun, games and PRIZES! We will be starting off our Farewell Party with our final Afro Dance Celebration, followed by some fun games and interaction and amazing giveaways!