Beyond Tired: Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown’s Guide to Solving Your Child’s Sleep Challenges for Good | E101

Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown, MD is a board certified sleep physician who is passionate about improving sleep health in families. She is the founder of RestfulSleepMD and is a speaker, coach and bestselling author of Beyond Tired. A sleep physician's guide to solving your child's sleep problems for good

In this episode of Brain Health: Unchaining Your Pain, Dr. Brown discusses the importance of sleep for parents and children. She shares insights from her book Beyond Tired, inspired by her personal struggles with exhaustion

Dr. Brown explains sleep patterns, common challenges, and solutions, emphasising healthy boundaries and strategies to improve sleep for the entire family

Discussed in this episode:

• 0:00:42 Introduction to the show and Dr. Funke Afolabi Brown.
• 0:01:09 Discussion on Dr. Brown’s book about sleep-deprived parents and kids
• 0:01:37 Dr. Brown talks about prioritizing rest during busy seasons
• 0:02:10 Dr. Ruth and Dr. Funke Afolabi Brown discuss their struggles with sleep
• 0:02:42 Dr. Brown shares what inspired her book Beyond Tired
• 0:03:17 Personal story of extreme fatigue leading to change
• 0:04:03 Steps she took to improve sleep and mental health
• 0:05:08 Common sleep struggles among parents
• 0:06:30 Dr. Brown’s journey into sleep medicine
• 0:07:40 Coaching parents to improve children’s sleep
• 0:09:01 Sleep as a foundation of health and common mistakes
• 0:10:34 Newborn sleep: circadian rhythm, feeding, and melatonin
• 0:12:00 Understanding newborn sleep cycles and REM sleep
• 0:13:30 The impact of birth trauma on infant sleep
• 0:15:00 Co-sleeping vs. independent sleeping debate
• 0:17:30 Toddler sleep transitions and separation anxiety
• 0:19:40 Teaching kids to sleep independently
• 0:22:30 Parents delaying sleep for personal time
• 0:25:00 Signs of sleep deprivation in children
• 0:27:30 Nightmares, night terrors, and coping tips
• 0:31:00 Teenage sleep struggles and social media
• 0:33:40 School start times and teen sleep loss
• 0:36:30 Digital media’s impact on child sleep
• 0:39:00 Advocating for better sleep policies
• 0:42:30 Final thoughts and Beyond Tired resources.

Connect with Dr Brown:

• IG: @restfulsleepmd
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/drfunkebrown
• Website: https://www.therestfulsleepplace.com/

Connect with Dr Ruth Allan

• Arrange a consultation at www.ruthmaryallan.com/connect 

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• E51 Staying alive in toxic times with Dr Jenny Goodman
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DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute, or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please always seek the advice of your general practitioner or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

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