About

About

Sharing my passion one family at a time!


My name is Amanda Dadd.  I am a Certified Pediatric Child Sleep Consultant, and the founder of Happy Little Sleepers. Happy Little Sleepers was created because I am passionate about sleep! I sincerely believe that families should not have to suffer months, if not years of sleep deprivation when there are solutions out there that work.

All children can learn independent sleep skills.

My own four children are a testament to this. My oldest son fought sleep furiously and my youngest suffered with reflux. Each of my children presented their own unique challenge, however armed with knowledge, compassion and A LOT of patience each developed into the great sleeper they are today.

As my family grew I watched friends battle with the same sleep issues I had dealt with and I felt compelled to look for solutions that could help them. It was then that I began my search for the most comprehensive and extensive Sleep Training Program available. When I discovered the Gentle Sleep Coaching Certification Program created by Kim West, The Sleep Lady, I knew I had found the perfect fit.

I don’t want even one family to remain guilt ridden that improving their child’s sleep will in some way harm them or damage the secure attachment they have formed. I will never ask you to put a crying baby in a room and simply walk away until they stop. I couldn’t do it and I doubt many of you can.

This is why my job is so great; I get to share gentler methods with you that work!

I feel privileged to be invited into the homes and lives of the families I work with.

Here’s to great sleep,

Amanda x

Certified Gentle Sleep Coach

 

 

Professional Memberships & Training

Sleep Consultant
Baby Sleep Consultant

Mental Health Training
Gentle Sleep Coach
  1. GSC Program Summary Including 4-5 Month Old Certification Details

    The Gentle Sleep Coach Program is the first and most extensive professional sleep coaching certification program available. The program involves over 80 hours of training, an exam and participation in case supervision with Kim West, LCSW-C (a.k.a. “the Sleep Lady”) who has been helping tired parents for over 17 years. Clinical supervision and ongoing advanced training are required to maintain certification as a Gentle Sleep Coach. Some of my training topics included:

    • Basic counseling and child development
    • Sleep science and behavioral modification techniques
    • Secure attachment theory
    • Support for the breastfeeding mother

    The training also consisted of lectures from top specialists, including:

    • Postpartum Depression from Dr Shoshana Bennett, author and leading specialist on Postpartum Depression
    • Medical Conditions and Sleep Apnea in Children led by Dr Lewis Kass, Director of Children’s Sleep Center
    • Sensory Processing Disorders and Sleep by Jodi Jennings, OTLR

    Additional Advanced Training:

    • Montessori Principles by Darla Miller
    • Mindfulness & Solution Focused Dialogue to Help Anxious Clients Gain Confidence by Nelia De Amaral

    The GSC Program also includes an exclusive advanced training series directly centered around how to gently work with babies 4 and 5 months of age. This program which I have also completed consists of over 40 hours of instruction and mentorship.

    Some of the curriculum training topics include:

    • In depth knowledge of the delicate nature of infants under 6 months of age and how to consider all elements of their well-being.
    • Current evidence based guidelines and instruction on how to evaluate the 4-6 month old child and family and determine if the child is ready for sleep coaching.
    • Gentle sleep solutions and strategies that are effective and developmentally appropriate for the younger baby.

    This specialty training is designed to give coaches the knowledge, education and all the tools and resources they need to successfully work with families of babies 4-6 months of age in a safe, healthy and developmentally appropriate manner.

My Happy Little Sleepers!

Sleep Consultant Amanda Dadd

 

Education and Training

Gentle Sleep Coach Program

The Gentle Sleep Coach Program is the first and most extensive professional sleep coaching certification program available. The program involves over 80 hours of training, an exam and participation in case supervision with Kim West, LCSW-C  who has been helping tired parents for over 17 years. See below for further details.

Infant Mental Health 

Community Training Institute at The Hospital For Sick Kids

This program aims to raise awareness and understanding of the needs of infants and toddlers in order to promote healthy social emotional development in the early years and reduce the likelihood of poor mental and physical health outcomes in the later years.

Babies In Mind

University Of Warwick, UK

Exploring the way in which the baby's mind is shaped as a result of the parent's mind.

Pediatric Sleep Day 2016

Ontario/Toronto Sleep Clinics