Our Approach
We know there are many programs out there that promise to help get your baby to sleep, so how do you know that our program is the best one for you and your baby?
Our unique approach
In my twelve years of practice I have never worked with a baby that is exactly the same. All babies have unique temperaments, sleep patterns, responses, and personalities, and all families have different dynamics. This is why we don’t use general programs or methods when approaching sleep and you won’t find a list of general approaches in our program. Our approach is focused primarily on the temperament of the child, their history, and the developmental norms for their stage. We also help you to identify your child’s sleep profile, which directly correlates with their temperament and helps parents to understand why their baby responds the way they do to certain sleep approaches. For example, if your child seems to get overstimulated when being rocked instead of calming down, your baby might be a sensitive sleeper! The three sleep profiles: the sensitive sleeper, the attached sleeper, and the adaptable sleeper helps parents understand their baby’s unique traits which often explains why certain “methods” are not resonating or seem incredibly hard to implement. Whether we are working with parents on-one-on or you are reading a guide/class we have created, we are still treating your baby as if there is no other baby like them, because there isn’t!
Our realistic approach
If you are looking for a sleep expert that promises your baby will be sleeping 12 hours a night by 12 weeks or will take perfect naps by four months, we are probably not right for you! While we can promise you that you WILL see progress and improvement in your baby’s sleep, we cannot promise you that it will be perfect - because your baby is not a robot. Your baby is a beautiful, living, breathing, very-much-alive blessing from above, and because of this, we need to place realistic expectations on ourselves and our babies. Unfortunately, a lot of the advice out there places unrealistic expectations on your baby and causes parents a lot of anxiety when their child isn’t measuring up to where they think they should be.
But we also know you are probably exhausted and likely what you’re doing right now doesn’t feel sustainable (which is why you’re here) and we want to help you get to the other side! We WILL give you tools to work on the sleep challenges you are experiencing with your child and work towards realistic goals for your entire family. I can tell you personally that I have five children thirteen and under who all sleep great as well as thousands of other babies whom I have helped become healthy sleepers - but this is not an overnight process. We teach you how to implement long-term habits and lasting change that withstands regression!
Our heart-felt approach
Before we are sleep “experts,” we are a mothers, and that means we will never ask you to do anything we wouldn’t do with our own children. I never let any of our babies cry-it-out and never followed a rigid training program with any of them and therefore I would never ask you to do the same. I also know that there are SO many other ways to support a child’s sleep that do not need to come to leaving a baby to cry.
We also believe that this process is 75% you and 25% us. That means if you aren’t comfortable with the plan, it isn’t going to be effective. We are your coach, your educator, your guide, your friend, your prayer warrior, and your encourager. Ultimately this is work that you have to be committed to and that only works if you believe in the approach we are taking.
What about crying?? Babies cry - that is a fact and we do not always want to stop our babies from crying. However, supporting your child while they are crying and leaving a baby to cry are two very different things. We teach you how to figure out what those tears mean, know your baby, and respond with love, compassion, and grace without a side of guilt! In short: we will never encourage you not to respond to your baby if it doesn’t feel right to you.
Our balanced approach
Helping your baby sleep better is like introducing any new skill. It takes time, consistency, and flexibility. Sometimes you’re going to give it your all and be 100% committed, and other times it takes everything in you to make it to the end of the day. Our approach is not rigid. While we 100% are going to push you and encourage you to keep going, we will never put unrealistic expectations on you or your baby. This is why we encourage the 80/20 rule: 80% of the time you are on point with sleep and 20% of the time you are a bit more flexible.
I mentioned before we don’t take a rigid approach to sleep. That means, contact naps? Yes, we encourage those! But we will also teach you how to get your baby to sleep in their crib.
Rocking to sleep? You can do that too! But if rocking your baby to sleep takes houuurs, we will teach you how to get baby to sleep in other ways also!
Our goal at the end of the day is to give you the tools you need to feel confident in how you approach your baby’s sleep, and for that to be done in a responsive and supportive way-while still implementing loving boundaries.
Meet Our Team
Rachel Mitchell
Founder
Rachel is the founder of My Sweet Sleeper and Sweet Sleep Academy. She is a certified Pediatric & Maternity Sleep Consultant, former night nanny, and mom of seven. Since starting My Sweet Sleeper, she has worked with thousands of families all over the world and experienced the reward of helping their children sleep better. Rachel believes it truly is one of the most wonderful professions and genuinely looks forward to each new family I get to be a part of.
Fun Fact: Has run four half marathons
Specialties: Newborn to 7 years old, transitions and milestones, developmental delays, behavior related challenges, transition from co-sleeping, underlying sleep challenges
Melinda Muyargas
Melinda lives in southern California with her Filipino-Australian husband and their two daughters (3.5 and 1) Before becoming a mom, Melinda was a middle school English and History teacher, with her Master’s degree from Azusa Pacific University. She worked for My Sweet Sleeper for two years as a social media coordinator, writer, and editor, and is now a certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant on the team.
Fun fact: Dual citizen of USA & New Zealand
Specialties: Newborn to 4 years old, crib-to-bed transition, breastfeeding, traveling/time zones
*Currently on leave
Paige Harris
Paige lives in Virginia with her husband and two daughters (2.5 and newborn). She graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor's degree in History in 2015 and her Master of Arts in Teaching in 2016. She was a high school history teacher and loves building relationships with her students! One of her true passions is to help guide others as an educator and now as a Pediatric Sleep Consultant.
Fun fact: Born and raised in Central Virginia in a one stoplight town
Specialties: Newborn to 3 years old, gentle sleep teaching methods, transitioning from co-sleeping, facility/in-home daycare situations
Jenna Berrios
Jenna the lead sleep consultant at My Sweet Sleeper. She is also a mama of two girls (6 and 3) and resides in Colorado with her husband and children. Jenna speaks fluent Spanish, and all of her services are available in Spanish and English!
Fun fact: Fluent in both English and Spanish
Specialties: Newborn to 3 years old, cultural sleep differences, bassinet-to-crib transition, accommodating daycare schedules
Lauren Winkler
Lauren is originally from Toronto, Canada but lives in Munich, Germany with her husband and daughter (2.5). She has her Masters in Education from the University of Glasgow, and is a Vice Principal of a bilingual elementary school part time. Lauren has worked with children of all ages through her work as a qualified Music Therapist, and as a certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant she is passionate about helping families get good quality sleep.
Fun fact: Originally from Ontario, Canada but has lived in Germany for 10 years+
Specialties: Newborn to 3 years old, behavioral challenges, traveling/time-zones, accommodating daycare schedules, cultural differences
Francesca Barton
Francesca lives in Connecticut with her husband and three children (13, 2 & 5 months) Francesca’s passion is working with children and their families. She has taught elementary school for seven years. Francesca loves helping children grow as learners in the classroom and now enjoys helping babies and children learn to love sleep as a Certified Sleep Consultant.
Fun Fact: Obsessed with all things Disney
Specialties: Newborn to 3 years old, Bassinet to crib transition, Accommodating daycare schedules
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Mariah Clapp
Mariah is a certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant, Physician Assistant, and mom of two. She has a background in Biology and has her Masters degree in Physician Assistant Studies. Mariah continues to practice medicine in a Physical Medicine and Rehab Clinic. One of Mariah's true passions is helping children and parents navigate sleep challenges. Mariah lives in Ohio with her family.
Fun Fact: Mariah reads approximately 75 books a year.
Specialties: Toddler sleep, crib to toddler bed transition, nap transitions