In this episode, Dr Ian Dunican talks to Professor Sarah Blunden, whom he recently connected with at the Australasian Sleep Association' Sleep Down Under' conference in South Australia. Sarah's research and work centres around paediatric sleep, focusing on promoting the importance of healthy sleep habits while young, paving the way for quality sleep in adulthood. Her main areas of interest are infant sleep and sleep interventions (that do not necessitate ignoring nor controlled crying), sleep education in schools and communities, and Indigenous sleep health.
As an avid young dancer growing up in Adelaide, Sarah successfully obtained a highly coveted position to train with the prestigious Australian Ballet School in Melbourne. At 20 years of age, she moved abroad and performed all over central Europe with a French ballet company. After developing Rheumatoid Arthritis 10 years later, Sarah bid farewell to the touring and travelling life and returned home to commence her Honors, Master and Ph.D. studies in the field of children's sleep.
Sarah is recognised as an authority on children's sleep and is widely published in the field. She has given over 70 presentations to academics, health, education, and medical professionals. Additionally, Sarah has published over 100 academic papers and books, with one such publication, 'The Boss of My Sleep’ highlighted in the discussion.
Sarah is Head of Paediatric Sleep Research at Central Queensland University, the Founder/Director of the Australian Centre for Education in Sleep and Research, an Advisor to the Australian Psychological Society, and a practising Clinical Psychologist at the Paediatric Sleep Clinic. The Sensible Sleep website contains information on training programs created by Sarah for infant and toddler sleep intervention and junior and senior school children's sleep education, along with many free resources available for teachers, industry professionals and parents.
Items discussed on the podcast
Australasian Sleep Association https://sleep.org.au/
Sensible Sleep incorporates The Australian Centre for Education in Sleep (ACES), The Paediatric Sleep and Psychology Clinic (therapeutic arm) http://www.sensiblesleep.com/
To learn more about the Gentle Methods of Self Soothing (GeMMS) program https://sensiblesleep.com/course/blunden-responsive-gemss-method/
To view a list of Sarah's books and publications https://sensiblesleep.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Publications-Books.pdf
To view available free downloads and resources: https://sensiblesleep.com/books-resources/
To view sleep education programs and courses available to teachers and schools https://sensiblesleep.com/course/blunden-responsive-gemss-method/#teachers_schools_programs
The Boss of My Sleep book is a downloadable book explaining a non-cry intensive sleep intervention system for parents to use with their child https://snoozeforkids.com/product/the-boss-of-my-sleep-ebook/
To view parenting seminars on the Government of South Australia website:
To read the paper by Alison Glass, Ceinwyn Attrill, Chris Magee, Sarah Blunden,
Factors associated with melatonin use in child sleep disturbance: A survey of Australian parents, Sleep Medicine https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1389945723001624
Connect with Sarah Blunden:
ORCID: (links to published research) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5026-1992
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/sarah-blunden-58445b5b
Research Gate https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sarah-Blunden-2
Email: (Paediatric Sleep Clinic) admin@upstreamhealthsa.com.au
Email: (Central Queensland University) s.blunden@cqu.edu.au
Central Queensland University, Australia - Professor of Clinical Psychology and Head of Paediatric Sleep Research https://staff-profiles.cqu.edu.au/home/view/1078
Contact me: at iandunican@sleep4performance.com.au or www.sleep4performance.com.au and check out the YouTube channel.
Check out our sponsor, LMNT. Click on the link to order and get a free LMNT Sample Pack when you order through the custom link below.
Key details:
The LMNT Sample Pack includes 1 packet of every flavour.
This is the perfect offer for anyone interested in trying all our flavours or wanting to introduce a friend to LMNT.
This offer is exclusively available through VIP LMNT Partners – you won’t find this offer publicly available.
This offer is available for new and returning customers.
They offer refunds on all orders with no questions – you don’t even have to send it back! http://drinklmnt.com/sleep4performance
Guided Meditation #1 Meditation to promote sleep w Alexis Santos
Season 8, Episode 1 w Alexis Santos on meditation and sleep
Season 7, Episode 12 w Dr Cassie Hilditch on combating sleep inertia
Season 7, Episode 11 with Hailey Meaklim on strange themes and death‐related dreams during the pandemic
Audio Blog #3 Understanding the sleep of ultra-marathon swimmers: Guidance for coaches and swimmers.
Season 7, Episode 10 w Prof Jill Dorrian the Dean who is not Mean (Average) on sleep, shiftwork, alcohol and lots more
Season 7, Episode 9 w Ashely Montero on Sleep and Mental Health Issues in Current and Former Athletes
Season 7, Episode 8 w Dr Nicola Barclay on Sleep Quality, Phenotypes, Chronotypes and Diurnal Preferences
Audio Blog #2 Rapid Eye Movement Behaviour Disorder in Combat and Contact Sport Athletes
Season 7, Episode 7 w Aaron Bezzina on Health and wellness in the Australian coal mining industry
Audio Blog #1: Prolonged mask use in safety critical roles and its potential impact on fatigue
Season 7, Episode 6 Sleep loss and performance in female athletes with Liv Knowles
Combat Sports Series: Episode 3 w Dean Amasinger Technical Director UFC Performance Institute
Season 7, Episode 5: Fatigue Risk Management System with Dr Madeline Sprajcer
Season 7, Episode 4: Peak Sleep Performance for Athletes with Dr Shane Creado
Season 7, Episode 3: Fatigue Research in Military Aviators with Dr John Caldwell
Season 7, Episode 2 with Daniela Dudysova on the effects of daytime psilocybin administration on sleep
S4P Knowledge mini-episode #1: Sleep Paralysis: Science, Mythology and Folklore
Season 7, Episode 1 with Dr Jennifer Walsh on medical cannabis and the benefit to insomnia
Season 6, Episode 12 with Dr Meeta Singh
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
DNA Today: A Genetics Podcast
Museum of the Missing
Strange by Nature Podcast
Sasquatch Chronicles
Hidden Brain