Finding Sleep Solutions with Ashli Daley
A Supporting & Practical Approach to Parenting
When it comes to sleep and parenting, the struggle is real. Whether it’s newborn nights, toddler bedtime battles, or trying to figure out if your baby’s sleep schedule is “normal” (spoiler: it probably is), sleep challenges can leave parents feeling frustrated and exhausted. That’s why we were so excited to sit down with Ashli Daley on our latest episode of What I Wish I Knew. Ashli’s experience as a sleep consultant, educator, and registered nurse gives her a unique and practical perspective on helping families navigate the chaos of sleep. Her approach is warm, thoughtful, and, most importantly, realistic—because let’s face it, no two families are the same.
Who Is Ashli Daley?
Ashli is a registered nurse and the founder of The Mama Coach, an organization that offers comprehensive support for families from pregnancy to postpartum. With expertise in feeding, sleep, and overall parental wellness, Ashli works with families to provide personalized guidance that meets their unique needs.
What sets her apart is her ability to meet parents where they are. She’s not about cookie-cutter advice or rigid schedules; instead, she focuses on understanding each family’s situation and crafting solutions that actually work for their lives.
Her ultimate goal? To help families find balance, rest, and connection—without judgment or pressure to follow a one-size-fits-all plan.
Understanding Sleep: Ashli’s Approach
One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation with Ashli was her reminder that sleep isn’t linear. Babies grow, change, and hit milestones that can throw even the most carefully crafted sleep routine out the window. And that’s totally normal.
“Sleep regressions, teething, milestones—they’re all part of the journey,” Ashli shared. “The goal isn’t perfect sleep; it’s finding what works in the moment.”
For Ashli, it’s about creating routines rather than rigid schedules. She explained that while babies can’t tell time, they thrive on consistency and rhythms that help them feel secure. Routines like a calming bedtime ritual or predictable nap times can do wonders for both babies and their parents.
Breaking Down the Overwhelm
Let’s be real: the internet is packed with advice on baby sleep, and it can feel like everyone has an opinion. Ashli’s advice? Take a deep breath and tune out the noise.
“There’s so much pressure to do things a certain way, but every family is different,” she said. “It’s about figuring out what works for your family, not what works for someone else’s.”
Ashli is all about empowering parents to trust their instincts while giving them tools and tips to make life a little easier. She knows that parenting is hard enough without feeling like you’re failing because your baby doesn’t sleep through the night by a certain age. (Spoiler: most babies don’t.)
Actionable Tips from Ashli
Ashli shared so many practical tips during our chat, but here are a few that stood out:
Routines Over Schedules: Focus on creating consistent patterns during the day, like a calming bedtime routine, rather than sticking to a strict clock-based schedule. Babies respond better to rhythms than rigid timelines.
Take It One Step at a Time: If sleep feels overwhelming, start small. Maybe it’s adjusting bedtime by 15 minutes or introducing one calming ritual before sleep. Small changes can lead to big improvements.
Lean on Your Village: Parenting wasn’t meant to be done alone. Whether it’s asking a partner for support or connecting with other parents going through the same struggles, having a support system can make all the difference.
Be Kind to Yourself: Sleep isn’t always predictable, and that’s okay. Some nights will be harder than others, and that doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. Give yourself grace.
Why Ashli’s Approach Works
What makes Ashli’s approach so effective is her empathy and understanding. She knows how easy it is to feel overwhelmed, so she doesn’t just offer solutions; she offers reassurance that you’re doing a good job, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been struggling with sleep (and let’s be real, who hasn’t?), this episode with Ashli Daley is full of tips, insights, and relatable moments to help you feel less alone. Parenting is tough, and sleep is just one piece of the puzzle. But with Ashli’s guidance, you can start finding the routines and rhythms that work for your family—without the stress or guilt.
Tune in to the full episode to hear more from Ashli and get actionable advice that will leave you feeling empowered and supported.