Check Out Leigh-Ann Vlaar’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leigh-Ann Vlaar

Leigh-Ann , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey into pediatric sleep consulting began with my own personal struggles as a parent. When my children were little, one of them was not a natural sleeper. Sleepless nights and non-existent naps, combined with postpartum depression, made those early years some of the hardest moments of my life as a single parent. I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and desperate for answers.

This experience gave me a unique perspective that carried into my professional work. For over 25 years, I’ve worked with infants and toddlers, including running my own home daycare. During that time, I saw firsthand the toll sleepless nights took on families. Year after year, I witnessed exhausted parents simply trying to make it through the day, and I felt their struggles deeply. My personal journey, combined with my professional insights, is what drives my passion for helping families reclaim their rest and find joy in their daily lives.

Did I say ‘passion?’ What I really mean is ‘obsession.’ My personal and professional experiences became the spark that ignited my fascination with sleep. I began to see how small changes—adjusting routines, tweaking schedules, shifting wake windows, or improving sleep environments—could completely transform a child’s sleep. This realization came long before sleep consulting was even recognized as a profession, but I was already honing my skills and helping families reclaim restful nights. Through trial, error, and persistence, I eventually found strategies that worked—transforming not only our nights but also how I approached sleep challenges overall. When I discovered that I could become certified as a sleep consultant and support struggling families as a profession, I knew I had found my thing.

Helping families achieve better sleep is about restoring peace, connection, and joy to their daily lives. Seeing parents move from exhaustion and frustration to confidence and restfulness fuels my passion. My goal is to empower families to realize that sleepless nights don’t have to define their days. With the right tools, guidance, and support, every family can experience the transformative power of better sleep.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When I first started my sleep consulting business, I quickly realized that one of the biggest challenges I would face would be de-mystifying sleep training and educating families that it doesn’t have to mean “cry it out.” Despite its proven benefits, sleep training has an undeserved bad reputation. Many people assume it’s all about letting a baby “cry it out” while you close the door and don’t return until morning. That couldn’t be further from the truth. My methods are compassionate, age-appropriate, and highly tailored to each family’s sleep challenges and goals. Sometimes, I even have parents stay in the room with their child, offering comfort and support as we gradually and gently work toward independent sleep. At the end of the day, I’m not here to convince anyone that sleep training is the only way. Many families don’t feel the need to sleep train, and that’s perfectly okay! For others, though, it can be a matter of saving a marriage or addressing mental health struggles caused by sleep deprivation. What truly matters is doing what’s best for you and your family. If sleep training is something you want to pursue, I’m here for it—with passion, empathy, and unwavering support.

Another obstacle I faced was a personal one. As I was getting my certification, my son and I were in a 55mph head-on collision with an underage drunk driver. It delayed the launch of my business while I focused on recovering from injuries and dealing with the fallout of the crash. However, in hindsight, it was a lesson in resilience and the fleeting nature of life. It reminded me of the importance of pursuing your dreams, no matter the obstacles. That experience fueled my determination to help families achieve the restful nights they deserve.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Anyone can Google sleep tips, read a book, or download a generic PDF, but these resources rarely account for the unique complexities of individual children. What sets my approach apart is how I meet parents exactly where they are. Every family is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to sleep. That’s why I start with an in-depth assessment to create a highly personalized sleep plan tailored to each child’s age, needs, environment, temperament, and the family’s philosophy.

My services go beyond just providing a customized sleep plan. I offer unlimited, real-time text support for those inevitable moments when even the best-laid plan goes sideways or when parents feel uncertain, overwhelmed, or even discouraged. Sometimes, this means fine-tuning the plan and sending suggestions; other times, it’s as simple as sending a meme or GIF to provide encouragement, emotional support, or even a laugh. Often, it’s about taking the mental load off parents who wonder, ‘What do we do next? How do we handle XYZ?’ This level of personalized support has been a game-changer for families, helping them conquer sleep challenges and reach their goals for restful nights.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sleepconnections.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sleepconnections/