How Reflux, Low Ferritin, and Expert Support Transformed Monica’s Toddler’s Nights
When “Just a Phase” Isn’t the Full Story
When Monica reached out to me, her daughter had never slept independently. Naps were a battle, and nighttime meant hour after hour of being held just to keep her asleep. Monica and her husband were surviving on shifts, barely functioning.
“We didn’t even know where to start. We were beyond exhausted—there was no bandwidth left to figure it out.”
They weren’t dealing with “just a bad sleeper.” Something more was going on and thanks to my experience working with complex sleep challenges, we were able to uncover what others had missed.
Experience Matters: Seeing What Others Might Overlook
At Blissful Baby Sleep Coaching, I take a holistic, medically-informed approach to sleep. During Monica’s intake, I recognized signs that pointed to more than sleep habits. I encouraged her to explore possible underlying issues with her pediatrician like reflux, tongue tie, and later, low ferritin, a key iron storage marker.
“Our pediatrician told us, ‘some babies just cry.’ But Joanna noticed patterns no one else had. She helped us ask the right questions and get referrals to the right professionals. Joanna helped us uncover what was really going on. We wouldn’t be here without her”
Sleep issues aren’t always about habits.
With over a decade of experience, I’ve supported families through challenges like reflux, feeding concerns, oral ties, and low ferritin levels. While I don’t diagnose, I know what to look for—and when to suggest a family talk with their providers.
If you’re doing everything “right” and still not seeing progress, you may not need to try harder you may just need the right kind of help.
From Medical Clarity to Gentle Coaching
Once her daughter’s reflux and tongue tie were addressed, we discovered her ferritin level was just 25, well below the 50+ threshold required for stable sleep cycles. Monica began iron supplementation (under the supervision of her pediatrician), and with patience her ferritin levels began to raise and so then we could actually start sleep training.
“Joanna even helped us find the only iron supplement she would actually take.”
With medical needs managed, we moved forward with a gentle, six-week sleep coaching plan. I guided Monica through daily check-ins, real-time adjustments, and options tailored to her child’s progress and the family’s emotional readiness.
“Nothing was cookie-cutter. It was built around how she was doing and how we were doing.”
Life After Sleep Coaching: Freedom, Rest, and Joy
Today, Monica’s daughter sleeps 10.5 to 11 hours a night and naps independently during the day. Monica can move freely around her home. She and her husband are reconnecting. They’re going to brunch, visiting parks, enjoying their community and their child.
“We’re not just getting sleep. We’re getting ourselves back.”
For Families Who Feel Hopeless: You Can Get Help
If you’re deep in sleep deprivation and something just doesn’t feel right—trust that instinct. You deserve support from someone who can help you look deeper.
“We thought this was just part of parenthood. But we were wrong. There was more going on and Joanna helped us figure it out, one step at a time.”
Feeling stuck?
If you’ve been hesitating, wondering if sleep coaching is right for you, let me reassure you: the hardest part is deciding to start. From there, with expert guidance and your dedication, the progress will come quickly. This is your chance to transform your life in a way few other things can.
Ready to take the leap? Let’s talk about how sleep coaching can create your family’s transformation. You deserve this. Your baby deserves this. And your future self will thank you.
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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