Meet Shani Avidar | Baby & Toddler Sleep Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shani Avidar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shani, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I was always passionate about my career in the financial industry and envisioned my husband and I as a power couple who can have it all, successful careers and family life. When I had my first child in 2019, I realized that not only is work-life balance challenging, but it’s even harder to parent when you are sleep deprived. I literally did not know anything about infant sleep and as most parents, my husband and I were exhausted. By the time our second child arrived in 2021, I had done my research and was able to learn tools to support my children’s sleep. When our third child arrived in 2022, I considered myself a sleep pro!

My experience as a mom of three little ones and my training as an Infant Sleep & Well-Being Specialist, has given me so much insight into what children and infants need, not only to develop, but to thrive. I found the Baby Led Sleep Approach and it was in complete alignment with my understanding of infant and toddler sleep as well as my parenting style. It helped me understand my children better and increased my confidence as a mom. I also completed the Wholechild Company Breastfeeding Program so I can equip, educate, and install confidence in new and expecting moms.
I am passionate about empowering infant and toddler parents to follow their instincts, listen to their heart, and feel confident and connected with their little ones. I decided to start My Little Dreamer because I want to share this knowledge with every parent I know!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
At My Little Dreamer, I support families using the Baby-Led Sleep Approach, which is different than other sleep training methods. I use a holistic, evidenced-based, attachment-focused approach for responsive parents looking for an alternative to sleep training. No cry-it-out! I support parents and caregivers to tune into their children’s cues and make adjustments while respecting their need for closeness, comfort and nurturing.

As parents, one of the biggest concerns we have is trying to figure out how to get our children to sleep. We are bombarded with information and cultural pressures to care for our children in very particular ways. Sometimes these ways don’t always feel right in our hearts and are often in direct conflict with the biology behind infant sleep.

At the beginning of the process, I discuss The Baby-Led Sleep Approach with the parents and hear what their specific challenges and concerns are. Together, we decide if this approach is the right fit for them and their family. We collaborate as a team to set developmentally appropriate goals, create a plan, identify strengths and challenges within that plan and re-evaluate as necessary.

I’m excited when I start working with a new family. I like getting to know the parents and their parenting style, hear about their struggles with their children’s sleep and learn about their habits and routines. It amazes me that children sleep goes hand in hand with parents’ state of mind and sometimes, small adjustments make a big difference in children sleep. I’m proud of every parent who works with me to create a routine that allows for family time, personal time, and restful nights. Change can be challenging on both parent and child.

While I have been working full time in the financial industry for over 15 years, I am very passionate about educating parents about baby and toddler sleep. My realization that work-life balance cannot be achieved when you are sleep deprived and my passion to share my knowledge with every parent I know, made my decision to start My Little Dreamer very easy!

I have learned that not every parent wants to be helped. Not every parent and I will work well together, and sometimes it’s better to decline a client if I think that we would not work well together.

I am passionate about helping families improve sleep without resorting to sleep training and that is what I’m here to do!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout is first and foremost dedicated to my children who gave me the honorary title Mom and taught me that motherhood is a continuous learning journey. They provide me constant opportunities for growth, self-reflection, and personal development. Through their unique perspectives and experiences, they offer invaluable lessons about love, patience, resilience, and the joy of simple moments. Time goes by so quickly and I try to embrace the present and live in the here and now so I can fully engage and connect with my kids. In tough moments, I remind myself that everything is temporary and this too, shall pass.

Second, I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my husband who is the perfect partner for me! We both try to push each other to grow and support each other’s decisions. We try to accommodate each other’s needs and wants and while not perfect, we do our best to be the best parents to our children.

Lastly, I’m grateful for Lauren Weber, founder of Isla-Grace, who created the Baby-Led Sleep approach, which I follow in my sleep coaching business.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Here’s a suggested week-long itinerary for adults coming to Miami with kids:

Day 1: Arrival and Beach Time
• Arrive in Miami and settle into your accommodation.
• Head to one of Miami’s beautiful beaches, such as South Beach or Bal Harbour, for a relaxing day by the ocean.

Day 2: Miami Children’s Museum and Jungle Island
• Start your day at the Miami Children’s Museum, where your kids can enjoy interactive exhibits and hands-on activities.
• In the afternoon, visit Jungle Island, an exciting zoological park where you can see exotic animals and enjoy entertaining
shows.

Day 3: Miami Seaquarium and Wynwood Walls
• Spend the morning at the Miami Seaquarium, where your family can watch dolphin and killer whale shows and explore marine life exhibits.
• In the afternoon, visit Wynwood Walls, an outdoor art museum featuring vibrant street art and murals. It’s a great place
to take family photos and immerse yourselves in Miami’s art scene.

Day 4: Everglades National Park
• Explore the Everglades National Park: Take a day trip to the Everglades National Park, a unique ecosystem known for its
abundant wildlife. Experience airboat rides, nature walks, and wildlife spotting.

Day 5: Miami Science Museum and Bayside Marketplace
• Visit the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, where your kids can engage in interactive exhibits, explore a
planetarium, and even touch stingrays in the aquarium.
• In the evening, head to Bayside Marketplace, a waterfront shopping and entertainment complex with live music, shops,
and various dining options.

Day 6: Miami Zoo and Venetian Pool
• Start your day at Miami Zoo, home to over 3,000 animals. Take a guided tour, feed giraffes, and enjoy the zoo’s lush
surroundings.
• In the afternoon, cool off at the Venetian Pool, a historic swimming pool with waterfalls, caves, and a sandy beach. It’s a
unique and refreshing experience for the whole family.

Day 7: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and Lincoln Road Mall:
• Explore the beautiful Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, a stunning estate with European-inspired architecture and lush
gardens overlooking Biscayne Bay.
• In the evening, head to Lincoln Road Mall, located in South Beach, Lincoln Road Mall is a pedestrian-only street lined
with shops, cafes, and restaurants. It’s a popular local hangout for people-watching, enjoying outdoor dining, and
exploring unique boutiques.

Website: https://www.mylittledreamer.coach/

Instagram: mylittledreamer_coach

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091457290681&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/my-little-dreamer-bay-harbor-islands?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)