Desperate at 3 A.M.? From 3 a.m. “Playdates” to Full Nights of Sleep
From 3 a.m. “Playdates” to Full Nights of Sleep: Sean & Joanna’s Story of Hope, Grit, and a Well-Rested Baby
What happens when you're so sleep-deprived that a three-hour wake-up in the middle of the night feels normal? For Sean and Joanna, that was rock bottom—and the moment everything started to change.
Let me tell you about a family who reminds me why I do what I do.
Sean and Joanna were living what many tired parents would call “the fog.” Their 13-month-old son was waking multiple times a night—sometimes for hours—and they were running on fumes. Joanna, a physician, was disheartened by the fact that all her medical training did not provide her with the knowledge and tools to solve her own child’s sleep struggles”.. Sean was full-time at home dad and feeling the emotional and physical weight of crappy naps, long nights and trying to care take an active baby boy. By the end of the day, Dad was “ready for the hand-off” of baby to mom so he could get an break.
This couple was trying SO HARD to be present and engaging for their son, hold it together for each other, and survive their days on broken sleep and coffee. Sound familiar?
Until one night… when they had a “3 a.m. playdate”with their toddler. Not planned. Not fun. Just… wide awake. For hours.
“That was it,” Sean said. “I hit a wall. I went online and searched for help. That’s when I found Joanna.”
Yep. That’s me.Most families do indeed land on my website between 1am and 5am out of sheer desperation to end sleepless nights.
🎥 Watch Sean and Joanna share how sleep coaching transformed their family life.
(Click to watch their story—it’s heartfelt, honest, and under 5 minutes!)
☁️ The Turning Point: A Gentle Plan Built for Their Family
When we started working together, I knew we had a few important pieces to honor:
Mom was still nursing, and that nursing bond and relationship mattered deeply.
They were committed to a gentle, responsive approach.
Their son was what we call a “tough cookie”—in other words, he had opinions. 🙂
We went slow. We got strategic. And we stayed consistent. Sean was 100% all in and ran the coaching plan like a champ. Joanna supported with trust and patience while juggling a full-time job. And I was right there with them—making sure we paced everything just right.
Was it instant? Nope.
Was it worth it? 1000%.
“We followed your word like it was the gospel,” Sean told me. “Now he sleeps through the night. I can’t give a better recommendation than that.”
🌙 The After: Calm Evenings, Joyful Mornings, and One Rested Family
Today, their son:
Goes to bed around 7:30–8 p.m.
Sleeps peacefully through the night until 6 or 6:30 a.m.
Turns off the light himself (!), plays quietly, and puts himself to sleep with a smile
Let’s pause right there: That’s not just sleep. That’s confidence. Security. Peace. Independence.
And the ripple effect? Huge.
Joanna is now sharp and efficient at work. Sean and their son enjoy their days together again—playing outside, connecting with joy instead of frustration. They’ve even taken an overnight couples trip while a relative babysat—something they never imagined possible a few months ago.
“There’s so much more joy now,” Joanna told me. “We’re not surviving anymore—we’re living again.”
✨ Real Talk for Exhausted Parents
If you're in that fog right now, here’s what I want you to know:
You are not failing. You are not alone. And you do not have to figure this out by yourself.
I’ve been a certified pediatric sleep coach for 14+ years, and I’ve helped hundreds of families just like Sean and Joanna’s. The truth is—sleep is learned. And with the right strategy, the right support, and a plan rooted in science and compassion, things can change.
Because when your child learns to sleep—you all get your lives back.
🎯 Let’s Make Sleep Happen for You
If you’re nodding along to Sean and Joanna’s story, and you're ready to say goodbye to 3 a.m. chaos...
➡️ Ready for your own transformation? Let’s talk.
Let’s start with an easy first step, schedule a Sleep Strategy Session so me, you and your partner can have an 1 hr long zoom session so I can properly assess the sleep situation and determine if you need one-on-one sleep coaching support.
Let’s get your baby sleeping—and get YOU your sanity back.
If you are still wondering if I can help, please know I do NOT advocate 'cry-it-out'. I am a Gentle Sleep Coach. If you want to learn about my guilt-free and gentle process, please go to these links.
The Blissful Baby Stairway to Sleep
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