Before she was “The Sleep Whisperer” Karoline Babaian was a lot like the new moms: Tired.
A Certified Pediatric Sleep Coach and busy working mom, Karoline dreamed of deep, restful sleep for her baby. While conventional wisdom promoted a standard cry out approach to sleep training, Karoline knew that one type was not her style, nor for the families, she wanted to help. Hence, The Sleep Nest® was born. Over time, she gently helped her first daughter get to sleep, fine-tuning a process over the years which became well known nationwide, and among mommy groups on social media, helping hundreds of families finally get some rest. Because no two children are alike, Karoline tailored her method for her daughter. Friends and friends of friends began calling Karoline for sleep help to get a more custom, individual-based approach.
With each family she helped, she grew and learned and modified her method. Karoline has gained community recognition as an expert on baby and child sleep. Her step-by-step method, and one-of-a-kind coaching, has empowered families all over to find a more, customized, and successful sleep approach.
How do you differentiate yourself from other Certified Pediatric Sleep Coaches?
I try to stay true to the one thing that got me started in the world of pediatric sleep; listen to the parents’ needs, and understand what each individual family is requiring. I take into account the child’s behavior around sleep, and that helps me understand what is missing from their sleep regimen. Actively listening has allowed me to connect with my clients more emotionally, and this is an area of topic that involves high emotions.
Tell us a little about yourself and what you do.
I am a single mom of two girls 6.5 and 4.5, in a great co-parenting relationship, ambitious and motivated by life and my kids. About six years ago, I decided to leave the workforce to raise my first-born, Belina. Soon after, I realized she was having trouble falling asleep. It started to progress starting 6mos of age, and by 10/11mos, we were having hours of sleepless nights. I Googled one day “how to make my child fall asleep”, and I came across “sleep training”. Once I sleep trained her, the company I used reached out to me and invited me to become a Certified Sleep Coach. Since then, I have changed lives of countless families struggling with their children’s sleep. I went into it at first because I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. But once I realized I the profound effects of better sleep, I was even more passionate for all the right reasons: to help as many families get better sleep, like we did!
What are some of your favorite things about what you do?
I love working with families from all backgrounds and locations, all striving for the same thing: better sleep! It is incredibly rewarding seeing my clients overcome their challenges around sleep training. Seeing how my clients underestimate their emotional strength, and proving themselves wrong by sticking through, is by far my favorite aspect. At the end of the day, when their child is rested and happy, the parents are happy… and so am I!
What does it take for someone to get started with their own side hustle in your line of work? How does someone start their own business like yours?
Vision is everything. Visualizing what you want to offer, to what audience of people, and how you want to better someone else’s life through your services/products is vital. The rest is logistics. It’s a journey, NEVER a race.
If you could tell tired desperate parents one thing, what would that be?
There are solutions, seek help! Sleep solutions are geared to provide your baby the proper environment, quality, and amount of sleep that promote healthy sleep habits. You do not have to suffer, thinking you are sacrificing for your baby’s betterment.
Can you give young parents tips who are having crying babies at night?
To the first-time parent, young parent, and to the third-time parent…it is OK to look for help! Baby cries have a variety of reasons, but the two most common things we (as parents) think of are hunger or pain. The reality is, sometimes it’s neither!
What is the biggest key to healthy sleep?
Structure/routine. Setting healthy sleep habits is fundamental.
What mistakes do parents make when they have baby sleeping issues?
Normalizing sleep issues has been the biggest trait I have come across. Let’s say you have friends or parents who tell you that “it’s ok, it’s just a phase” or “it’ll get better” or “enjoy them while it lasts” etc. But the one that is suffering night after night, is you. Even worse, your baby. These types of comments and innocent suggestions can lead a parent to feel submissive to their family’s existing sleep problems, leading many parents into chronic sleep issues, and even postpartum depression. If a family thinks they have sleep issues, then it is their absolute right to look for solutions. Like the saying goes, “to each its own.”
Where do you get your inspiration from daily?
I get my inspiration from my girls. I go to bed grateful, and wake up grateful. One thing I always remind myself of is that not everyone has everything, but if what you have makes you happy, then you have everything.
How do you stay motivated?
I’ll be honest, I have days where I feel like I’m dragging, just like everyone else. One thing that helps me is to write my goals down for the day, no matter how small they are or seemingly insignificant, and cross them off (like, literally cross them off with a pen). We can be motivated by so many external factors, but in order to STAY motivated, it’s more mental. I remind myself that each day is a new day to be our best. It is a chance to start over, especially if you had a rough day prior. But to forgive ourselves, in the midst of our tough days in order to stay motivated in the long run, is what I call self-love.
Find out more on https://thesleepnest.com
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