MEET CHRISTINE LEAD CHILD SLEEP CONSULTANT & PARENT COACH AND FOUNDER OF BELLA LUNA FAMILY LLC

Meet Christine, the founder and mastermind behind the brand, Lead Child Sleep Consultant & Parent Coach, Bella Luna Family LLC. We virtually sat down with this mama to get the full lowdown on Bella Luna & Family LLC, and what it truly is like growing a brand and being a mom, parent coach and lead child sleep consultant. 

What do you do and why did you choose it? 

I joke that my twins tried to kill me from sleep deprivation when they were 6 months old! I taught them how to be healthy sleepers and became obsessed with sleep and supporting families.  This led me to change careers - I was in high tech marketing - and to become a certified to be a child sleep consultant in 2016. [Christine]

What is the most important part of your job as a Lead Child Sleep Consultant?  

The most important part of my job is supporting others. Whether it is our clients that are having challenges with their child's sleep, behavior or potty training or it is one of my teammates that need assistance. It is really rewarding to be able to help people to dramatically change their lives by working on them. [Christine]

My baby wakes SO early; how can I get him/her to sleep longer in the morning?

There are so many things that can cause an early morning wake up! 

One of the key contributors can be a bedtime that is too late. I know that sounds crazy, but it's true!  A later bedtime normally results in an earlier wake time. If children go to bed too late, they go down overtired, which results in difficulty settling into sleep, more restless sleep, more night waking’s, and earlier morning wake ups. Most babies should be asleep in between 6:00 - 7:00 pm. 

The other key is making sure that your little one's room is PITCH black.  Darkness tells our bodies it is time to sleep, and light tells our bodies it is time to be awake.  Children's eyes are especially sensitive to light, and this can create an early morning wake up. [Christine]

My baby only every nap for 45 minutes – why?

That's the length of a baby's sleep cycle!  Your little one hasn't yet mastered the art of linking their sleep cycles to take better quality, longer, more restorative naps. [Christine]

Do you consider the health and wellbeing, and the behavior and interaction of the main caregiver in your assessment? 

100% - we look at everything holistically.  We want to make sure that the primary caregiver, most commonly the mom, is supported while making changes to improve their child's sleep or behavior. [Christine]

What’s your favorite tv show on Netflix?

Ozark - excited for the final season! I also loved it. I tend to like psychological thrillers with a side of Bravo Housewives to lighten things up! [Christine]

How do you make time for family and yourself while juggling running a business as a mom?

After I drop my kids off at school, I take an hour to exercise (I love Peloton) and meditate.  I'm not a morning person so I wake up with my kids.  During dinner prep through the time before bed, it is sacred family time and I try to leave my phone face down on the counter with the sound off so I can be truly present. [Christine]

What is your biggest strength when it comes to running your business?

I love running my own business and helping others.  Being a business owner can be challenging so if you don't have passion, it would be easy to give up when the going gets tough and it does get tough sometimes! [Christine]

Please share any recommendations you may have for new moms.

Go easy on yourself! You are brand new to being a mom and your baby is brand new at being a baby.  You are figuring it out together and you don't need to be perfect to be a great Mom! Instagram isn't real so don't compare someone else's highlights reel to your reality. You'll feel like crap, and it will steal your joy. 

• Keep your newborn's awake windows SHORT! Think no longer than 45-60 minutes of awake time. So, this isn't when you want to be putting your little one down for naps, but rather when they are asleep.   
• Accept help - no one wants to help you more than they do after you've had a baby!  If someone offers to bring you a meal, offers to watch the baby so you can get a shower or a nap in or to come help around the house - say YES! Then go take that nap.
• If you are feeling anxious or everything feels dark and heavy, you may have a postpartum mood disturbance, which is incredibly common and nothing to feel shame about.  Talk to your doctor because you don't have to feel like that.  [Christine]