What makes Maria Domenech Florit with Embrace and Nurture a good neighbor?

Sleep is one of the most challenging aspects of early parenthood, with many families struggling through sleepless nights and difficult bedtimes. On the latest episode of the Good Neighbor Podcast, host Nick George welcomed Maria Domenech Florit, founder of Embrace and Nurture, who offers a refreshing perspective on children's sleep coaching that breaks away from conventional methods.

Maria's approach stands out in an industry dominated by mainstream sleep training techniques. As she explains, "I'm providing holistic sleep coaching for parents that struggle with their baby and children's sleep." Unlike traditional sleep training methods that often advocate for "cry it out" or "controlled crying" techniques, Maria's methodology is attachment-focused, evidence-based, and responsive to children's individual needs. This holistic approach considers the entire family system, including family values, dynamics, child temperament, activity levels, and nutrition—recognizing that sleep doesn't exist in isolation but is affected by numerous interconnected factors.

What led Maria to this specialized field was her personal struggle with her son's sleep issues. She shared candidly about her challenging start to parenthood: "He had colic and he would not sleep. He cried for hours and hours and hours, all day, every day, and it was extremely hard." This firsthand experience with a colicky baby who experienced digestive issues and couldn't sleep well gave Maria deep empathy for parents in similar situations. Her background in psychology and music therapy in Spain, coupled with her interest in child development, positioned her perfectly to develop a more compassionate approach to sleep coaching.

One of the most illuminating parts of the conversation addressed common misconceptions about children's sleep patterns. Maria explained that there's a widespread but unrealistic expectation that children should sleep from 7 PM to 7 AM. "Every person can sleep a certain number of hours in the 24-hour period, both adults and children," she noted, pointing out that forcing children to sleep beyond their natural capacity often results in early morning wakings or middle-of-the-night wakeful periods. This insight helps parents adjust their expectations and develop sleep schedules better aligned with their child's natural rhythms.

Maria's business currently targets families with children from four months to three years old, though she's considering expanding this range based on demand. She's trained to work with children up to the teenage years, recognizing that sleep challenges can persist well beyond early childhood. For families interested in learning more about her services, Maria offers a 15-minute free consultation call to discuss goals and determine if her approach is a good fit.

The conversation highlighted the importance of having alternatives to mainstream sleep training methods. As Maria emphasized, "I know that there are some parents that may have a more respectful parenting style and the thought of letting their baby cry it out or to control crying just does not resonate with them." While she respects that traditional sleep training works for some families, she wants parents to know there are other options available that align with different parenting philosophies.

To learn more about Embrace and Nurture go to: 

https://www.embraceandnurture.com/

Embrace and Nurture

(720) 340-2175