MORE ABOUT ME

History and
Work Philosophy

FERNANDA ADES

Integrative Pediatric Sleep Educator and Parent Coaching

Mother of Leon (5 years old) and married to Renato. I'm from São Paulo (capital city) and I've lived in New York for over 10 years.

Mothering without a support network, in a culture that often encourages ignoring a baby's basic needs (connection with their caregiver), was the greatest challenge I've ever faced. I felt anxious, exhausted (sleep-deprived), and very alone with an extremely sensitive baby who didn't fit the "standards" sold by many sleep experts.

It was in this search for a more ethical path, aligned with my maternal instinct, that I found the integrative approach on sleep. What began as a personal need transformed into a purpose: to bring this knowledge to families and caregivers in an ethical and responsible way, helping to build better nights without sacrificing bonding and responsiveness.

Today I serve families worldwide and am part of their support network. I have a particularly empathetic approach to Brazilian mothers living outside of Brazil, offering professional, empathetic, and practical support to help them navigate this phase with greater security and well-being.

MY APPROACH

Acceptance, Respect, Connection

My approach is based on maternal nurturing and the dissemination of quality information based on the latest sleep science, neuroscience, and attachment theory. I believe in care that respects the family as a whole: without ready-made formulas, without unrealistic goals, and always considering your values and the child's individuality.

With the differentiated perspective of integrative child health, I evaluate sleep as a set of interconnected factors, looking at four pillars: neurological (maturity and readiness), emotional (bonding, co-regulation and anxiety), physical/physiological (biological rhythm, nutrition, discomfort and environment) and behavioral (sleep hygiene).

In practice, my approach promotes child-respectful sleep and mindful, responsive parenting. This means I don't use sleep training or methods that involve letting children cry alone or forcing separations before they are ready.

The goal is to build, together with you, a clear, gentle, and sustainable path—with gradual adjustments that make sense in real life and help strengthen the child's relationship with sleep, without guilt or pressure. When necessary, I also provide guidance on referrals and work in partnership with other professionals, because children's sleep is part of the overall well-being of the child and the family.

What is an integrative sleep educator and why is it different from a sleep consultant?

As an Integrative Child Sleep Educator, I act as a sleep facilitator. I observe the whole picture: the child, the family, and the context in which they are involved. The idea is to understand the need behind a behavior and build a path that respects the individuality of each child and the family's values. When it makes sense, I also guide referrals and a multidisciplinary approach, because sleep can be impacted by many factors beyond routine.

In practice, I educate the family about how sleep actually works according to science and, together with you, I adjust what sustains sleep: rhythm (feeling sleepy), relaxation (predictability and rituals), and safety (low stress and connection). I also assess sleep based on four essential pillars — neurological (maturity and readiness), emotional (bonding and co-regulation), physical/physiological (rhythm/circadian rhythm, diet, discomfort, environment), and behavioral (routines, habits, and associations).

This is quite different from regular sleep consulting, which usually focuses on behavioral techniques and "autonomy" goals within fixed timeframes, with more standardized interventions and rigid rules. In my work, independence doesn't become a performance goal: it's built with respect and emerges when there's readiness.

My background as Parent Coach also broadens my scope of practice, because many sleep difficulties are linked to how the family organizes itself, connects, and regulates itself. Based on Attachment Theory and Conscious Parenting, I welcome each family as it is and help strengthen bonds within the home—while you gain more clarity, confidence, and better nights, in a sustainable way. A transformation and a new perspective on sleep, for life.