Meet Aileen Dunbar.

01 / About Aileen

I believe parents can get more sleep without sleep training.

Hi! I'm Aileen, a certified pediatric sleep specialist, a teacher with 17 years of experience, and a proud mother of two little ones who inspired me to become a sleep coach: an 8-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl. I became certified in the Baby-Led Sleep approach, created by Lauren Weber, in 2021, and since then, have been working with families to create realistic expectations for their child’s sleep while also addressing issues that no longer work for them in a way that supports the attachment relationship. Some examples of challenges I can support families with include night weaning, transitioning from bed sharing to a separate sleep space, identifying the reasons behind a child waking hourly, and addressing bedtime battles, among others. Another key component of my approach is to identify any underlying issues that can impact sleep (ex. iron deficiency, undiagnosed tongue tie, etc.). Using this approach, I provide guidance and resources needed to understand the root cause of any sleep issues and co-create a sleep plan along with families, always keeping the attachment relationship at the forefront. I will never use any form of sleep training (meaning no separation-based techniques or anything that asks parents to go against their instincts!) but will guide parents through how to make changes while supporting their child’s emotions. I am very empathetic, and I know what it is like to feel overwhelmed by societal pressures put on new parents when it comes to sleep so one of my top goals is to empower parents that they know their child best and to relieve any stress they have about sleep so they can focus on being the best parent they can be. I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity to be part of Miss Poppins and to have the privilege of getting to know you and your family!