Because Parenting Is Hard Enough—Let’s Make Sleep Easy.
I’m here to help you get more sleep without second-guessing your instincts.
Hey, I'm Aleni!
I live in Buffalo, NY with my beautiful daughter Nora and lovely partner (for life) Dave. As a certified infant and toddler sleep specialist—and a mom myself—I know how overwhelming sleep struggles can be. Trust me, I've been through it all! As a first time mom, there was so much pressure to sleep train. That pressure was overwhelming, exhausting and draining. It took away from the moments I should have been enjoying with my daughter. I knew there had to be another way we could achieve sleep without using separation. That's why I founded Rooted in Sleep, to honor that connection with my daughter while still getting some sleep!
My approach is based on attachment, helping families build strong roots in their relationships while nurturing their babies’ sleep needs—without using any type of sleep training methods. Together, we’ll focus on your family’s unique needs, creating a sleep rhythm that honors connection. I don’t push for strict independence; instead, I empower families to create sleep solutions that align with their values, instincts, and unique dynamics.
My maternal instincts were much louder...
I had my first child at the height of the COVID pandemic in 2020. Such a scary and unsure time for everyone, imagine adding a brand new baby on top of it! We had little to no physical support. Navigating motherhood during such this time was the most difficult challenge I ever faced. We didn't have visitors, Nora met all her family members through FaceTime or a glass door. The physical support we did have was our Pediatrician visits.
We went for Nora's well visit at 4 months, the doctor asked how she was sleeping and I replied fine, she asked if she slept well at night and I replied, yes, I nurse her back to sleep when she wakes up. The responses I received were shocking and honestly gut wrenching.
“If you don’t sleep train now, she’ll never sleep independently.”
“She’ll have issues with sleep into toddler and childhood if you keep supporting her to sleep.”
“My kids cried for an hour a night for 2 weeks and they're great sleepers now.”
I'm a new mom, never even hearing the term sleep training before and the advice I receive is from an expert medical professional. So what do I do? I try sleep training. I let Nora cry for 5 minutes for a nap in her crib while I cried. I picked her up and never did it again.
I remember sending Dave a picture of Nora sleeping on my chest, the text read "I gave in and nursed her to sleep." Even though my instincts were screaming at me to nurse my baby to sleep, I kept replaying the comments from the doctors office.
I knew this couldn't be the only way. Let my baby cry herself to sleep for each nap and every night? How could this be the only way to achieve sleep? I had to find another way that honored my instincts.
And I did find a way that felt right for our family. I learned about normal and realistic expectations about infant sleep through attachment and connection. I found a way that honored my instincts.
Motherhood felt so lonely and isolating to me because I didn't sleep train. I felt like I was the only one doing it this way. But I couldn't be more wrong. I found a beautiful community that was navigating sleep and motherhood the same way I was. And I didn't feel like I had to lie or hide. In this community, we get it.
It's so much deeper than sleep
My approach as a sleep consultant goes beyond the typical sleep training methods. I believe that every baby is unique and deserves a sleep plan that’s rooted in connection, empathy, and understanding. Unlike traditional sleep consultants, I don’t rely sleep training techniques that leave babies to "cry it out" or self-soothe. Instead, I work with families to nurture the emotional and physical bond between parent and child, using attachment theory to support a child’s natural sleep rhythms.
I focus on understanding the root causes of sleep challenges and addressing them with gentle, evidence-based strategies that honor a child’s developmental needs. My approach is holistic, recognizing that sleep isn’t just about getting a baby to sleep, but about fostering a sense of security and emotional well-being. With my guidance, parents can create a nurturing sleep environment that feels right for their family, without compromising the bond they share with their little ones.
Let's work together
Feel Seen, Heard, and Supported on Your Baby’s Sleep Journey.
1:1 Consults
Individualized support that priorities connection and emotional well-being of your whole family.
Guides
Feel confident in addressing sleep challenges with compassion and presence, without relying on traditional sleep training methods
Rest & Roots
Motherhood is a journey best shared. Join a community where deep connection and mindful rest take root.
How do I know this actually works?
Because I've been through it all, just like you. False starts, split nights, early rising, short naps, late bedtimes, the list can go on. I was beyond exhausted. I felt hopeless. I wondered if I was ever going to sleep again. I cried while my baby cried. I had the same thoughts of sleep training just like you had (or have). I tried everything to get my baby to sleep. But what I didn't realize was that there is another way besides sleep training. I could honor my baby's connection while still getting rest for myself. I thought I had to struggle through it all because I decided not to leave my baby to cry it out.
What I learned was life changing for the relationship with my daughter. So many thoughts that continued to play in my head slowly faded away when I learned about biologically normal infant sleep. And can I tell you, my life got flipped upside in the best possible way.
I help tons of families achieve sleep without any type of sleep training (like everyday, it's my job). I'll educate you about realistic expectations that happen around baby sleep not what everyone is telling you. I help rule out potential medical concerns, nail down unique sleep needs, make parent led gentle changes around sleep, using connection focused strategies. And more importantly, I will become part of your village. Because as moms, we all know how much we lack that village.
Ready to be one of them?
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