A Little About Me -
Dr. Stephanie Kirklin
You are tired. You just tried to pour ketchup into your coffee this morning instead of creamer. I know how you feel, because I literally did that! Side note - ketchup in coffee is not as satisfying as half and half.
Hello Parents! I am Stephanie. I am a certified pediatric and newborn sleep specialist, trained through the Institute of Pediatric Sleep and Parenting. I am a specialist in newborns and the care of newborns through the Newborn Care Solutions Institute. I have a Doctorate in Educational Leadership with over 20 years of teaching and administration experience and I am a Mom of three wonderful and active children (8, 5, and 21 months). Life is busy and crazy and I get it.
Getting safe and restful sleep for baby (and thus for you) can be challenging. For our littlest ones, the chemical cues that our bodies use to know when to fall asleep and when to wake up, haven't developed and will not develop until closer to three months. Our youngest ones need to eat every two to three hours, they need to be held, and every time you put down your baby, he cries. What do you do? How do you put that sweet baby down to bed when you know she will just cry immediately?
When my oldest child was 9 months old, we tried a sleep consultant after months and months of exhaustion. We did not do enough research to find someone who matched our parenting style and the result was a cry it out method that left her and us in complete tears. It was a terrible experience for all of us and I learned so much from that failed attempt. 1. There are multiple sleep methods out there and you should not settle - find one that aligns with your beliefs and your goals 2. It is okay to ask for help and okay to say that what we are doing is not working. That's where I can come in.
I can help! Through the Institute of Pediatric Sleep and Parenting, I have been trained in multiple sleep methods and I do not believe in a "cookie cutter" approach. Your family is unique and part of my discovery call with you is learn more about your specific challenges and goals so that I can create a tailored sleep plan that we can use following methods that align with your ideals (including limiting crying using a gentle approach method).
You are not alone in this! I have your back and we can work together to get baby sleeping and get you more restful nights as well!
"
Credentials:
Doctorate of Educational Leadership awarded May 2019 from Edgewood University
Master of Arts in Teaching awarded June 2009 from Brandeis University
Bachelor of Science with a major in Psychology awarded May 2007 from Allegheny College
Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant obtained May 2025 through Institute of Pediatric Sleep and Parenting
Certified Newborn Sleep Consultant obtained May 2025 through Institute of Pediatric Sleep and Parenting
Newborn Care Specialist Certificate obtained April 2025 through the Newborn Care Specialist Institute