Alyssa Veneklase - Certified Infant & Child Sleep Consultant

Alyssa Veneklase - Certified Infant & Child Sleep Consultant As a Certified Postpartum Doula and Newborn Care Specialist, I bring a unique perspective to my work I'm not scary, I promise.
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Can I just start by saying that sleep training gets a bad rap! Many parents attempt sleep training on their own. The problem with reading a book or taking an online class is that you don't know if that's the right method for your child. Parents will try something for a night or two, then give up because sleep training can be hard... Unless you have a trained professional to guide you. As a Certifi

ed Sleep Consultant, I know many methods and consider your child's temperament, your parenting style, and your sleep goal to determine what method will work best for your child. Sometimes we have to combine a couple different methods, or we try one and realize it's not effective, so we tweak the plan. It's all about listening to your child, following their cues, and determining what they need. I am here to guide you through the process. I hold you accountable, help you follow the plan, answer questions as they arise, celebrate victories with you, and educate you so that you're confident in your abilities when we part ways. My experience as a postpartum doula and newborn care specialist gives me a unique perspective on sleep training. I have the ability to understand your family dynamic and take that into account when trying to find the best sleep method for your child. Many parents are surprised to learn that sleep is sometimes one of the last things we talk about. There are so many other factors involved in healthy sleep habits that we need to make sure everything is ready before we dive into a sleep plan. I'd love to help give your family the rest you so desperately need and deserve!

Top 3 reasons to consider cloth diapers!
08/02/2024

Top 3 reasons to consider cloth diapers!

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Thank you so much for being a retail location for our book! If you live in the TC area and want to support a local busi...
06/24/2024

Thank you so much for being a retail location for our book! If you live in the TC area and want to support a local business, stop into Once Upon A Child!


Why use muslin swaddles?
05/28/2024

Why use muslin swaddles?

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Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby
05/25/2024

Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby

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Save $2,000 per child?!!
05/22/2024

Save $2,000 per child?!!

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Thank you for hosting our book signing and to everyone who came out to buy a book!
05/22/2024

Thank you for hosting our book signing and to everyone who came out to buy a book!

We had fun at the Moms and Mimosas event at this morning! Thank you for hosting the event and thank you to all the cont...
05/11/2024

We had fun at the Moms and Mimosas event at this morning! Thank you for hosting the event and thank you to all the contributors in the book for coming out to support us!

Be sure to mark your calendars to purchase your copy this Mother’s Day! 💞
04/17/2024

Be sure to mark your calendars to purchase your copy this Mother’s Day! 💞

We're thrilled to share that we are about to release an incredible book that's now a must-have for modern families!

"Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby" by the amazing Elite Certified Doulas, Kristin Revere and Alyssa Veneklase is available for pre-sale and launches on Mother's Day!

This book goes beyond the basics, diving deep into the heart of preparing for pregnancy, birth, and those precious early days of parenting.

With expert insights on everything from pregnancy prep to navigating parental leave, caring for multiples, and budgeting for your new bundle of joy - it's the comprehensive guide we've all been waiting for.

Inside, you'll find stories from other moms including clients that we are personally connected with. Stories that inspire, inform, and illuminate the path for expectant parents, alongside invaluable doula tips in every chapter.

Whether it's deciding on your dream team of support or figuring out infant feeding, prioritizing sleep, or getting ready for the big day, "Supported" is your go-to resource for making informed decisions and embracing this beautiful journey with confidence.

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Years in the making, our book will be launched on Mother’s Day! Stay tuned for info about launch events and links to pur...
03/16/2024

Years in the making, our book will be launched on Mother’s Day! Stay tuned for info about launch events and links to purchase. 💕

Nom nom nom
05/02/2023

Nom nom nom

951917 likes, 3939 comments. Check out Sad Nuggie's video.

Have you watched on yet? I watched it with my daughter last night and it’s a beautiful little film packed with nuggets...
02/26/2023

Have you watched on yet? I watched it with my daughter last night and it’s a beautiful little film packed with nuggets like this one.

I love reframing the idea of asking for help this way. You’re refusing to give up!

By far the worst part of being a grown up. I hate making meals. Anyone else? 🖐️ Repost
12/12/2022

By far the worst part of being a grown up. I hate making meals. Anyone else? 🖐️


Repost

Word! 😂I literally just got my daughter a new outfit and shoes yesterday with the full intention of getting myself somet...
11/28/2022

Word! 😂

I literally just got my daughter a new outfit and shoes yesterday with the full intention of getting myself something too…. but alas, I came home empty handed.

It’s hard to shop for yourself when you have a kid in tow.

So here I sit, in my yoga pants and sweatshirt that are at least 5 years old. But they get the job done!

Yes! This is what new mothers need! Someone asking them how THEY are doing. Let them cry to you about how they are feel...
11/15/2022

Yes! This is what new mothers need!

Someone asking them how THEY are doing. Let them cry to you about how they are feeling without judgment. Let them laugh, get angry, or cry and tell their story without you interjecting with your story or advice. Just listen.

Someone offering to come help clean the house or do laundry, not visit and hold the baby.

Someone bringing a meal, or better yet, dropping it off at the door.

In the newborn phase, babies sleep a lot. But moms don’t. There is no sleep training a newborn, so stop asking moms about it. Stop making them think that they should be doing something to make their baby sleep more, or less, or at different times, or in a different location. As long as that baby is safe, you don’t need to give unwanted advice.

In the newborn phase, mom and baby just need time together. Time to bond. Time to figure out the breastfeeding relationship, or how to pump, or how to bottle feed. Time to rest. Time to cry and time to laugh.

If/when a baby and a mother are ready to talk about sleep training, send them to a professional. When you tell them what worked for your baby, it makes them feel like a failure if it doesn’t work for them. And just because you sleep trained your children, this mother may not want to.

Or if you didn’t sleep train and this mom needs it, don’t offer your judgment here either. Everyone has a different story.

Their story doesn’t need to be your story.

Is anyone else still off after the time change Sunday?Even after attempting to prepare my body for it over the past week...
11/07/2022

Is anyone else still off after the time change Sunday?

Even after attempting to prepare my body for it over the past week by staying up a little later, I could barely keep my eyes open last night. It doesn’t help with it’s completely dark at 7pm 😩

If your kids are struggling, put them to bed a little earlier the next few nights (because their bodies feel like it’s later). It’s hard to stay up when your body is used to going to bed at a certain time.

This morning my daughter slept in a little bit, which meant her normal wake up of 7am showed 6am on the clock. She woke up at 6:20 (which her body thinks is 7:20). So we will continue to work our way toward 7:00 am this week. Don’t expect it to happen immediately.

Our circadian rhythms are strong. This small one hour disruption has big effects.

And then on top of this disruption, those of us in the Midwest are looking at the weekly forecasts wondering what the hell to wear each day! I literally have temps this week ranging from 33 to 73! Ugh! 😣

Trick or treaters take note! 🎃 The City of Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids police department announced trick or treati...
10/14/2022

Trick or treaters take note! 🎃

The City of Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids police department announced trick or treating hours on October 31 from 6-8pm.

If you are passing out candy, turn your porch light on or make it well-known that someone is home.

Do not trick or treat at homes without lights on.

If you have a little kiddo, go early, give them a small amount of candy to eat while you trick or treat, and head back early to get them to bed on time!

If your child is older, try your hardest to limit candy intake and get them to bed as soon as you can. Their teachers will thank you the next morning 😊

As Halloween approaches the City of Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids Police Department have announced some tips to ensure a safe holiday for all.

When a new baby arrives, everyone is so excited to meet them that many times common courtesies are forgotten or ignored....
09/26/2022

When a new baby arrives, everyone is so excited to meet them that many times common courtesies are forgotten or ignored. Parents feel obligated to let visitors come when they want, to play host, or ignore things that make them uncomfortable so they don’t ruffle any feathers.

Thank you for sharing this perfect set of guidelines for visiting a newborn.

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1430 Robinson Road SE, Suite 204
Grand Rapids, MI
49506

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Monday 7am - 8pm
Tuesday 7am - 8pm
Wednesday 7am - 8pm
Thursday 7am - 8pm
Friday 7am - 8pm
Saturday 8am - 8pm
Sunday 8am - 8pm

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The mail truck just pulled up on a Sunday with a heavy box… of books!! Stay tuned for launch events. The book will officially be on sale this Mother’s Day. Great as a baby shower gift or for anyone you know who is pregnant or just had a baby. 💖 We cover everything from preparing for birth and assembling your team, to feeding options and sleep. It’s everything @kristin_revere and I wished we had when we were pregnant. #pregnancy #newparents #supported

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My Story

I started off my career as a solo doula in 2015 then became Co-Owner of Gold Coast Doulas in 2017. As the agency grew, that path led me to focus on one skill - sleep. I had been offering sleep consultations since 2013 through various trainings I had taken, but I became a Certified Infant & Child Sleep Consultant in 2019. As a Certified Postpartum Doula and Newborn Care Specialist, this gives me a unique perspective when offering sleep services to clients. I’ve seen it all! Being a parent is demanding, but it shouldn’t be damaging. So often the birth of a new child pushes a mother to new limits, makes a father or partner question their abilities, and tests the whole family’s strength. Our physical and mental states play a major role in our ability to cope, yet they’re almost always overlooked. My role supporting new families in their home as a postpartum doula made me see first-hand how sleep deprivation was affecting a parents ability to bond, their relationship with older siblings, and their relationship as a couple.

I offer sleep packages that include overnight doula support. I believe that a postpartum doula’s support is critical to creating an environment that will nurture and support the mother and the family unit as a whole, helping them thrive and build confidence. My customized sleep plans differ from others because you have my full support - the entire time! I don’t just give you a plan and say good luck. I guide you, help you troubleshoot, encourage you and also hold you accountable. We are a team! Because of this my clients go through the process feeling confident and so empowered when they get their child to sleep! If you have questions about me or any of the services we offer at Gold Coast Doulas, please do not hesitate to contact us for a free consultation. Gift Certificates are available for baby showers! I am a Certified Infant & Child Sleep Consultant, Certified ProDoula Postpartum Doula, Newborn Care Specialist, and First Aid/CPR/AED Certified.

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