Bedtime Doesn’t Have to Be a Battle—Even with Your Strong-Willed Child
Your child isn't being difficult on purpose. They need a gentle sleep approach that addresses the REAL REASONS behind toddler and child sleep struggles—NOT just the symptoms.
No pressure. No obligation. Just support.
✨
Here’s What You Need to Know…
This ISN’T About Your
Parenting
You haven't failed. Your child isn't manipulating you.
Generic sleep advice just wasn't designed for YOUR child's unique temperament, developmental stage, and needs.
I know you've tried everything:
Setting earlier bedtimes (they're not tired yet)
Using later bedtimes (now they’re overtired and wired)
Reward charts that worked brilliantly….until they didn’t
Melatonin supplements that help a little, but don’t solve the real problem
Giving in and letting them join you (your sleep is worse, their dependency increases)
None of these approaches worked long-term because they addressed surface behaviors without understanding what's really happening underneath.
Sleep struggles persist not because you’re doing something wrong—but because your child needs support that matches how they learn and regulate.
What’s Really Going On
Sleep Resistance Isn't Actually About Sleep
When your child fights bedtime, they're communicating something important:
"I need more connection with you"
Your child spent all day at school or daycare. Now the one-on-one time they've been craving is ending, and bedtime feels like abandonment—even though they can't articulate it that way.
"I don't feel in control of anything"
Between school schedules, homework, activities, and family routines, children have very little autonomy. Bedtime becomes the one place they can assert some control through resistance.
"My body doesn't feel ready yet"
Bedtimes based on parental preference rather than biological readiness create genuine physiological resistance. You can't force sleep when the body isn't prepared.
"I'm genuinely worried or scared"
Anxiety isn't rational. Your child's fears about darkness, separation, or nighttime thoughts are REAL to them, even when you know there's nothing to fear.
"I haven't learned how to settle myself yet"
Independent sleep is a skill, not an expectation children automatically meet. Without explicit teaching, they continue relying on external support.
The GentleSleepers Difference
I Address the Whole System—Not Just the Symptoms
Most approaches tell you WHAT to do.
I help you understand WHY your specific child struggles and HOW to address their unique needs.
This isn't about forcing compliance or ignoring distress. It's about:
✨ Understanding your child's developmental stage and needs
✨ Creating environments that naturally support rest
✨ Building routines that address emotional regulation
✨ Teaching skills that last a lifetime
Discover what working together actually looks like.
Who I Help
As a Certified Sleep Specialist and Behavior Analyst, my sleep support is designed for families of toddlers and children ages 1-10 who are struggling with:
✨ Bedtime battles that stretch on for hours and end in tears
✨ Frequent night wakings that leave everyone exhausted
✨ Early morning wake-ups (4-5 AM is not morning!)
✨ Inability to fall asleep independently
✨ Inconsistent or unpredictable sleep patterns
✨ Anxiety, restlessness, or big emotions around bedtime
✨ Co-sleeping situations families are ready to change
Many of the families I work with have children who are strong-willed, sensitive, highly aware, or neurodivergent — these children often need more than generic sleep advice.
That said, the evidence-based strategies I use work beautifully for neurotypical children as well, because they’re grounded in how all children learn, regulate, and develop healthy sleep skills.
All families begin with a free consultation, so I can understand your child’s sleep and recommend the best-fit option.
How Sleep Coaching Works
My 4-Phase Approach
Phase 1: Detailed Intake & Assessment
Understanding YOUR Child's Unique Sleep Landscape
We start by getting crystal clear on:
What's actually happening (vs. what you think might be happening)
Your child's temperament, fears, and emotional needs
Environmental factors working against sleep
Schedule problems creating biological resistance
Behavioral patterns that have developed over time
Your parenting values and family dynamics
Every assessment is individualized - no cookie-cutter templates.
This deep understanding allows us to create strategies that actually fit your child, instead of trying to force your child to fit a generic method.
Phase 2: Strategic Planning
Creating Your Family's Customized Sleep Plan
Based on assessment findings, I develop an individualized, evidence-based plan tailored to your child’s age, development, and family goals.
Environmental Optimization
Room setup, lighting, sound, and temperature
Schedule Recalibration
Aligning bedtime with your child's actual sleep readiness
Routine Design
A predictable sequence of calming activities that naturally prepares your child for sleep
Emotional Support Strategies
Tools for managing anxiety, building confidence, and creating security around sleep
Behavioral Skill Building
Step-by-step progression toward independent sleep skills matched to your child's current capabilities
Phase 3: Supported Implementation
Coaching You Through Each Step of the Plan
This is where most families fail when trying methods from books or blogs—implementation without support.
You'll receive:
A written sleep plan with step-by-step instructions, as well as any corresponding visual supports and materials
A detailed review of your sleep plan
Coaching and guidance for implementing each of the strategies
Weekly follow-up sessions to monitor progress and troubleshoot challenges
Follow-up notes and action steps emailed after each session
Continuous plan modifications and strategy refinement based on your child’s response
Email support throughout the process (plus optional text message support)
Ongoing availability for questions between sessions
I'm not handing you a plan and disappearing. I'm partnering with you through the hardest parts.
Phase 4: Long-Term Success
Building Resilience for Life's Inevitable Changes
Sleep improvements only matter if they last. We prepare for:
Handling illnesses without losing all progress
Traveling while maintaining sleep skills
Managing schedule changes (school breaks, holidays)
Adjusting as your child grows and needs evolve
Addressing regressions quickly when they occur
You'll leave with understanding—not just instructions—so you can navigate future challenges independently.
A deeper look at how we’ll work together, step-by-step.
The Gentle Sleepers Process
See what happens during sleep coaching, week-by-week
-
Schedule Your Free Initial Consultation (before you commit)
We discuss your child's specific sleep challenges
I learn about your family's goals and priorities
You ask any questions about my approach
We determine if my services are the right fit for your family
I help you decide which package makes sense for your situation
What You'll Leave With:
Clarity about your child's sleep issues
Understanding of what's possible
Confidence about next steps
No obligation or pressure
-
Intake & Sleep Tracking (before our first session):
Complete a detailed intake questionnaire (which I’ll review before our first session, so our time together is meaningful)
Begin sleep tracking diary (5-7 days)
60-90-Minute Consultation - Complete Intake and Assessment:
Review intake information
Analysis of sleep logs
Complete sleep assessment
Collaborative goal-planning
You’ll leave with general strategies that you can begin implementing immediately
I’ll get to work designing your personalized sleep plan, with evidence-based strategies tailored to your child’s age, development, and family goals
You’ll receive a written, customized sleep plan with step-by-step instructions for each strategy, plus corresponding visual supports and materials (by end of week 1)
-
60-90-Minute Parent Coaching Session
Together, we’ll review your sleep plan in detail. I will go over sleep assessment findings, discuss your family’s individualized goals, explain each strategy, and answer any questions you may have.
You’ll receive coaching and guidance on each step and strategy, so you can implement your sleep plan with confidence.
We will clarify any questions or concerns
-
During Weeks 3 & 4 (or weeks 3, 4, & 5, for the Neurodivergent Sleep Transformation package):
30-Minute Weekly Follow-Up Sessions (Phone or Video):
2 weekly sessions - Complete Sleep Transformation package
3 weekly sessions - Neurodivergent Sleep Transformation package
Progress review, troubleshooting specific issues, plan adjustments
After each session, you’ll receive follow-up notes and action steps by email, with updated strategies and a clear direction for the coming week
Ongoing Support Throughout the Process:
Email support throughout your package duration
Optional text message support (M-F business hours) - $299
We stay connected between sessions
Continuous plan modifications
Flexibility for real-life complications (illness, travel, etc.)
Neurodivergent Sleep Package BONUS:
Two ADDITIONAL 15-minute phone calls anytime during your program (during business hours)
For urgent troubleshooting or questions
-
As Your Program Concludes, You’ll Learn:
How to maintain the progress you've achieved
Strategies for handling future challenges
Warning signs of regression to watch for
How to handle illness, travel, schedule changes (daylight savings, holidays), and life transitions (new sibling, school changes, moves) without losing progress
Age-appropriate adjustments as your child grows
Continued Access:
Access to bonus guides and updated resources and materials
Ongoing email support for questions (2 additional weeks)
Option to book additional hourly sessions (at the regular hourly rate)
Why Should You Put YourTrust in Me?
I'm not a self-proclaimed "sleep coach" who took a weekend course.
I hold advanced degrees and rigorous certifications requiring thousands of hours of education, training, and supervised experience.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
Master of Education, with a Concentration in Autism and Related Developmental Disorders; 1,500 hours of supervised clinical experience and fieldwork; comprehensive board examination; ongoing continuing education requirements; adherence to strict ethical standards
Certified Behavioral Sleep Specialist (CBSS)
Specialized training in pediatric sleep science, behavioral interventions, and developmental considerations, with a focus on autism and other developmental disorders—not just generic sleep advice
14+ Years Supporting Families
Since 2012, I've worked directly with hundreds of children and families, both as a Behavior Consultant and as a Sleep Specialist, including complex cases and resistant sleepers that other consultants couldn't help
Evidence-Based Approach
Every strategy is grounded in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) research and sleep science—no trends or anecdotal advice
Holistic, Gentle, Responsive Methods
I work with your child's development and temperament, not forcing conformity to rigid protocols
Virtual Support Worldwide
Serving families across all time zones with flexible, accessible sleep consultation and support
Learn why I’m so passionate about supporting families like yours.
✨
“We finally feel like ourselves again.”
"Our twin 2-year-olds were taking turns waking up all night long, and my husband and I hadn't slept more than three hours in a row for months. Elisha's approach was systematic but gentle, and she helped us tackle one issue at a time so we didn't feel overwhelmed. Both boys now sleep through the night in their own beds, and we finally feel like ourselves again."
— Rebecca and David L., parents of toddler twins
Your Child’s
Better Sleep
Starts Here
They're Not Broken.
They're Not Being Difficult.
They just need someone who understands what's REALLY happening and knows HOW to address it.
Your child WANTS to sleep independently.
The resistance, the fears, the delays—these are symptoms of underlying needs not being met in the right ways.
When you address the root causes instead of just managing symptoms, EVERYTHING changes:
✨ Your child gains confidence and regulation skills
✨ Your evenings become peaceful instead of dreaded
✨ Your family reconnects without the constant exhaustion
✨ Your relationship with your child strengthens
✨ Everyone thrives because everyone finally sleeps
That's what
Gentle Sleepers
delivers.
See what’s included at each level of support
✨
Common Questions
-
Transitions involve emotions—that's normal human development. But my methods are designed to minimize distress through gradual changes, maintained connection, and responsive support. This isn't about ignoring your child in distress.
-
Most approaches focus on isolated tactics (bedtime passes, reward charts, schedules) without addressing the complete picture. I systematically optimize every factor affecting sleep while teaching genuine skills—not just implementing quick fixes.
-
“Poor sleep” is a symptom, not the core problem—I treat the core problems, not just the symptoms. Since sleep is not really a “behavior”, we’re not really looking at sleep—we’re looking at the process of falling asleep and all the in-between times, like when your child wakes in the middle of the night. While some children need more support than others, every child can develop healthy sleep habits with the right approach.
-
Consistency between caregivers dramatically improves success, so yes—getting everyone aligned is important. I can help facilitate these conversations during our work together.
-
Life happens. We adjust the timeline and plan for real-world complications. The key is getting back on track quickly, not perfect implementation every single night.
Ready to Transform
Your Family’s Nights?
Start with Your Free Consultation
No pressure, no obligation—just clarity about your path forward.
Learn more about my approach and see if we’re a good fit!
✨
While You’re Here…
Get Your FREE Toddler Sleep eBook!
Why Your Child Isn’t Sleeping: A Parent’s Guide to the 7 Most Common Sleep Challenges (and What Actually Works!)
This comprehensive, 152-page eBook breaks down the 7 most common childhood sleep challenges and gives you realistic, expert-backed solutions you can actually use.
Written by Elisha Iggulden, Certified Behavioral Sleep Specialist & BCBA