Hi there,
My journey to becoming a Gentle Sleep Coach started in 2013.
Here’s how it began:
2013 – English Origins
I became a Postpartum Doula in order to fill what I saw as a gap in the care of new families. Originally from England, the lack of postpartum support here in America was very striking to me. I wanted to be able to help parents adjust to their new roles and feel confident as they tackle the challenges that come up in the early weeks and months. As I worked with more and more families I noticed that there were consistently two main challenges that stood out above the rest; feeding, and sleep!
2014: Certified Lactation Counselor
I became a Certified Lactation Counselor and felt much more confident to be able to answer the questions that come up about breastfeeding and pumping. Still, the sleep questions were coming often and I knew even then what my next steps were in my education. In 2014 I also became a Certified Newborn Care Specialist.
2015: First Business
Very quickly, I realized there was a high demand for postpartum support in the D.C. Metropolitan area. I co-founded Metropolitan Doulas LLC; a postpartum doula agency with over 50 doulas supporting families day and night. I later sold this business in 2022.
2016: Postpartum Care Institute
To better support my clients as a Postpartum Doula, I enrolled in a program to learn more about newborn sleep from 0-5 months through the International Postpartum Care Institute. This course allowed me to set families up with great sleep habits from birth.
2019: Sleep Coaching
After working with over 250 families as a Postpartum Doula and Lactation Counselor, the sleep questions were still some of the most frequently asked questions. While I felt confident in helping families with their 0-5-month-old, I was getting calls from the families I had worked with asking questions about their older babies, toddlers, and children. I was extremely excited to join Kim West’s Gentle Sleep Coaching program and to be able to help families to get more rest, no matter how old their child is. I moved into the advanced program in January 2020.
I Now Have Experience in 3 Fields
Having experience in all three fields, I am able to combine my knowledge and experience to create custom sleep plans that work for your family. Whether you’re breastfeeding, pumping, and/or using formula; whether you’re bedsharing or your baby is in their own room, or sharing with a sibling; whether you’re home with your child, or your child is with a nanny or in daycare, I will collaborate with you to formulate a plan that works for your whole family.
I’m excited to get started with your family!
Find me on Yelp to read reviews from the families I’ve worked with!