Dear Troy,


Child Sleep Consultants play an important role in helping families establish healthy sleep. A tired, overwhelmed parent usually does not have the strength or time to sift through the mountains of information on child sleep, or have the patience to try different methods through trial and error. Sleepless parents and babies need help immediately as time only adds to the problem. A great solution is to hire a child sleep expert to get assistance with child sleep issues. The Family Sleep Institute spotlights one of its graduates, Erin Meckfessel of Pickles & Ice Cream Sleep and Baby Consulting, to educate parents on what a child sleep consultant is and how they can be invaluable to a family's health and wellness.

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The Importance of Child Sleep Consultants for Sleepless, Overwhelmed Parents - By The Family Sleep Institute

Spotlight of Erin Meckfessel - Pickles & Ice Cream Sleep and Baby Consulting

Stamford, CT -- Feb 27, 2013 / -- Child Sleep Consultants play an important role in helping families establish healthy sleep. A tired, overwhelmed parent usually does not have the strength or time to sift through the mountains of information on child sleep, or have the patience to try different methods through trial and error. Sleepless parents and babies need help immediately as time only adds to the problem. A great solution is to hire a child sleep expert to get assistance with child sleep issues. The Family Sleep Institute spotlights one of its graduates, Erin Meckfessel of Pickles & Ice Cream Sleep and Baby Consulting, to educate parents on what a child sleep consultant is and how they can be invaluable to a family's health and wellness.

Name:  Erin Calhoun Meckfessel
Credentials:  FSI certified Infant & Child Sleep Consultant and International Baby Planner Association: Baby Consultant
Age:  31
Marital Status:  Married for 3 years to Douglas (Doug) Meckfessel
Children:  No children….Yet!
Other Education:  BA In Communication from Regis University
Unique Fact About your Business: With the help of technology, Pickles & Ice Cream does sleep consults all over the country. Erin works with parents in person, over email, Skype and phone to get sleepless parents and babies the much needed help immediately.

Why did you become a sleep consultant?

I became a sleep consultant because I felt it is one of the biggest struggles that parents have today. There are so many sleep books, blogs and opinions on the subject of child sleep. It can be so overwhelming for parents and especially confusing for parents struggling with their child's sleep. I had first-hand experience with parents confused with all these recommended sleep approaches because it didn't fit their lifestyles and therefore adding to problematic sleep issues. Unfortunately, most pediatric doctors really don't have time or expertise to educate parents on their children's sleep. I felt a need to be an approachable sleep consultant that could educate and help families establish healthy sleep habits. Once I learned that I could become certified on infant and child sleep, my inner nerd bloomed with everything related to children's sleep! I know that i t is hard for parents to leave home with their work schedules and a child in tow, so I wanted to establish a consulting service that would be done mostly over the phone, Skype and email. Modern technology allows Pickles & Ice Cream to work with families all over the country!

What does child sleep consultant mean to you?

A Child Sleep Consultant is an objective person who can customize a sleep plan for your child that is struggling with their sleep. A sleep consultant can help with day (naps) and nighttime sleep. A sleep consultant helps empower and educate parents on the science behind a growing child's sleep requirements and helps parents come up with the best approach to meet these requirements to obtain a well rested and happy child. 

What is your company mantra?

Pickles and Ice Cream customizes and creates personalized sleep plans that works for every parenting style. We know what works for one family doesn't work for another. We have expertise in all sleep approaches and really are unbiased to any one sleep method. We are very approachable and want our expertise to be helpful for sleep deprived parents and their children.

What is your best sleep tip for babies/toddlers?

This is a hard question because there are so many! Sleep is a natural process, but healthy sleep is a skill that must be learned. Therefore, I would have to say that consistency and routine are the first two ingredients to healthy sleep. Keep in mind that babies and toddlers think naps and bedtime are the same so it's important to have the same consistent routine for both. Day naps do help with a child's night sleep. When they skip these naps, their bodies produce cortisol, a stress hormone that can keep them from falling asleep at night. In short, if babies and toddlers consistently have restorative naps then they will have better nighttime sleep. Always remember, an overtired child has a much harder time falling asleep then a child who is rested.

Why did you choose the Family Sleep Institute as your certification program provider?

There are different sleep courses around the country, but I found The Family Sleep Institute to be professional, personable and offered the best in continuing education. I loved that FSI educated me on every sleep method and provided access to accredited pediatric sleep research. The class was very detailed and Deborah Pedrick was so personable. She wasn't promoting a book and did a great job educating on her experience as an infant and child sleep consultant. I love being part of a personal institution with other certified sleep consultants. The continued support and education is unbelievable! Deborah treats her students like her clients: She gives them the tools they need to succeed through a very professional yet personalized course. 

About Pickles & Icecream Sleep and Baby Consulting

Sought after child sleep expert Erin Meckfessel is the Founder of Pickles & Ice Cream Sleep and Baby Consulting and is a graduate from the Family Sleep Institute.

As a certified Child Sleep Consultant, Erin is committed to empowering parents with the know-how and tools needed to gently guide babies or toddlers into healthy sleeping habits. Sleep is a natural process, but healthy sleep is a skill that must be learned. Whether you're looking for long-term support or just some one-time advice to get your baby on track, Pickles & Ice Cream has sleep consulting packages for every need and offers customized sleeping plans for families across the country.

Pickles & Ice Cream doesn't have one approach for guiding babies to healthy sleeping habits. Simply put, what works for one family might not work for another one. That's why Pickles & Ice Cream customizes their sleep consulting plans around the family in need.  

Pickles & Ice Cream does consultants all over the country. Erin works with parents in person, over email, Skype and phone. 

Erin has been a frequent guest on TV, radio, and speaks at various venues on child sleep. Erin is also a member of the International Baby Planner Association, earned a BA in Communication from Regis University, and is married to Douglas (Doug) Meckfessel for three years. They look forward to having their own children some day.

Visit www.picklesandicecreamstl.com for more information.

About Deborah Pedrick, Founder of The Family Sleep Institute   
 
The Family Sleep Institute is the very first comprehensive yet affordable child sleep consultant certification program based on 15 years of experience by the leading Child Sleep Expert, Deborah Pedrick. The Family Sleep Institute lives up to its name as it is truly a "family" to all graduates who go through the program.   
 
Deborah Pedrick, founder of www.familysleep.com has been educating families for over 15 years on the importance of establishing and maintaining a healthy foundation for sleep in their children. She is co-founder of the International Association of Child Sleep Consultants, www.IACSC.com and Founder/President of the Family Sleep Institute,  www.familysleepinstitute.com, which instructs, mentors and certifies Child Sleep Consultants around the world. Deborah resides in Stamford, CT with her teenage son, Soren. She has a private practice consulting parents on how to establish and maintain healthy sleep habits in their family. She has been quoted/interviewed in The Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, Parents Magazine, NY Family Magazine, and has been a contributing sleep expert for "The Doctors" television show.  Deborah is a member of the National Sleep Foundation and the American Sleep Association.\

Visit www.familysleepinstitute.com for more information.  ###