About Me: My Journey Into Infant and Toddler Sleep
Hi, I’m Ruby, the founder of Dreamy Darlings, and a certified infant and toddler sleep trainer. Sleep has been part of my life for as long as I can remember — long before I ever turned it into a profession.
I have over ten years of hands-on experience working as a nanny, caring for infants and toddlers across multiple stages of development. My work has taken me abroad, including working in Abu Dhabi and America, and I am now settled in Dubai. Working internationally has given me a unique perspective on parenting, family dynamics, and sleep expectations across cultures. While routines and traditions may differ, one thing remains universal: exhausted parents who want the best for their children and desperately need sleep.
Where My Interest in Sleep Began
Like many caregivers, I didn’t start out as a sleep expert. I started out as a nanny doing what most nannies and parents do — following advice, routines, and techniques passed down by others. Over the years, I helped sleep train many babies and toddlers, often with great success. But something kept nagging at me.
Some techniques worked beautifully for certain children, while the same approach failed completely for others. A method that helped one baby sleep through the night could leave another overtired, unsettled, or distressed. I began to notice patterns — and inconsistencies — that couldn’t be explained by simple “good” or “bad” sleep habits.
That’s when I started asking deeper questions.
Why does this work for one child but not another?
What’s actually happening biologically during sleep?
How do development, temperament, environment, and attachment affect rest?
Discovering the Science Behind Sleep
Those questions led me down a research path that completely changed how I approached sleep.
I began studying the science behind infant and toddler sleep — circadian rhythms, sleep pressure, neurological development, cortisol levels, and the impact of consistency and responsiveness. The more I learned, the clearer it became: sleep isn’t about rigid rules or forcing independence before a child is ready. It’s about understanding how sleep works and supporting it in a way that aligns with each child’s development and each family’s values.
This research inspired me to pursue formal certification as an infant and toddler sleep trainer. I wanted to combine my real-world experience as a nanny with evidence-based knowledge — not just theory, but practical, compassionate application.
My Approach at Dreamy Darlings
At Dreamy Darlings, my approach to sleep is grounded in science, experience, and empathy.
I do not support the cry-it-out method. While some tears can be part of change — especially when children are learning new skills — I believe sleep training can be done in a supportive, responsive way without excessive distress. My goal is to minimize tears as much as possible while still creating clear, consistent sleep habits.
I work with families using gentle, developmentally appropriate methods that respect a child’s emotional needs while also supporting parents. This means:
Responding to your child rather than leaving them to cry alone
Creating routines that feel calm and predictable
Supporting parents through consistency without guilt
Customising sleep plans to suit your child’s temperament and your family’s lifestyle
I believe parents should feel confident and supported — not anxious or conflicted — about how they help their child sleep.
Why My Background Matters
Being a nanny for over a decade has shaped me in ways no textbook ever could. I’ve supported children through regressions, milestones, teething, transitions, and big life changes. I’ve been there for the 2 a.m. wake-ups, the early mornings, and the exhausted tears — from both children and parents.
Living and working in different countries has also taught me to be adaptable and culturally sensitive. Families have different beliefs around sleep, independence, and routines, and I respect that deeply. My role is not to impose a system, but to guide families toward better sleep in a way that feels aligned with their values.
My Mission
My mission is simple: to help families feel rested, confident, and supported.
Good sleep changes everything — a child’s mood, development, and ability to learn, and a parent’s mental health, patience, and overall wellbeing. When families are well-rested, they thrive.
Whether I’m supporting a newborn, a baby struggling with frequent night wakings, or a toddler who suddenly resists bedtime, my aim is always the same: to bring calm, clarity, and confidence back into the home.
Sleep isn’t just my profession — it’s something I truly care about. And I feel incredibly grateful to support families during such an important stage of their lives.
