Meet Andrea
Hi, I’m Andrea! I currently live in San Diego, CA with my husband, Corey and our two sons, Leo and Max. With two boys just seventeen months apart, life is busy, exciting and at times exhausting. The best thing we have done for our family is teach our boys how to love sleep; there is nothing better than a toddler saying, “Bye bye, Mama” and rolling over to put himself to sleep as you turn off the lights .
After my oldest son, Leo, was born in 2018, the adrenaline eventually wore off and the exhaustion set in. I knew there had to be a way I could enjoy my sweet little baby, while also giving both of us the sleep we needed to thrive. After diving into the world of infant sleep and a few weeks of consistency, we had a happy baby sleeping 12 hours every night and a very happy and rested mom and dad! Having your child sleeping through the night doesn’t just give you more sleep, it gives you your time back. Evenings to enjoy with your partner, nap times to finally get stuff done….or just sit on the couch to watch The Bachelor (No? Just me?) and simply the comfort in knowing your child is safe, happy and rested. Parenting has the ability to take “me time” out of your vocabulary, but I am here to help you get that back.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Family Studies with a minor in education from the University of New Hampshire, 2011
Certified Gentle Sleep Coach with an additional certification to work with infants 0-5 months old, July 2019
Gentle Sleep Coaching
GSC Program Summary
The Gentle Sleep Coach Program is the first and most extensive professional sleep coach training and certification program available. The program involves over 80 hours of training with a faculty panel that includes 2 medical doctors, a psychologist, an attorney, lactation counselor, postpartum doulas and a family therapist. Each coach must pass an exam and participate in case supervision with Kim West, LCSW-C (a.k.a. “the Sleep Lady”) who has been helping tired parents for over 20 years. Clinical supervision and ongoing advanced training are required to maintain certification as a Gentle Sleep Coach. Training topics included:
Basic counseling and child development
Sleep science and behavioral modification techniques to help parents of children age 0 to 6 years old
Secure attachment theory
Support for the breastfeeding mother
The training also consisted of lectures from top specialists, including:
Postpartum Depression from Dr. Shoshana Bennett, author and leading specialist on Postpartum Depression
Medical Conditions and Sleep Apnea in Children led by Dr. Lewis Kass, Director of Children’s Sleep Center
GERD and Sleep led by Dr. Anthony Loizides, pediatric gastroenterologist
0-5 Month Old Training Summary
The GSC Program also includes an exclusive advanced training specifically focused on how to gently work with babies 0-5 months of age.
Training topics include:
In-depth knowledge of the importance of attachment and infant mental health
The sleep science behind the first six months of life
What special considerations need to be taken when working with and supporting families during this delicate period.
Specialized instruction on how to evaluate families in the first six months
Guidance on how to assess when the baby is ready for sleep coaching based on current research and evidence-based strategies
Review of gentle sleep solutions and strategies that are developmentally appropriate, breastfeeding and attachment friendly and promote a solid foundation for sleep learning and long-term healthy sleep patterns.
This specialty training is designed to give Gentle Sleep Coaches the knowledge, education and all the tools and resources they need to successfully work with families of newborns through 5 months of age in a safe, healthy and developmentally appropriate manner.
