HI, I'M KRISTINA
Certified holistic infant and toddler sleep coach, British expat living in the Netherlands, and mother of two.
When my first daughter was born in 2021, I was completely unprepared for the realities of infant sleep. My husband and I were new to the Netherlands, living far away from our families, with no community to lean on. Without a village, those early months were incredibly hard. I struggled through months of sleep deprivation alongside extreme postpartum anxiety, unsure where to turn for support that truly aligned with my instincts as a mother.
​
Everywhere I turned, I felt pressure to do things that didn’t feel right to me - whether it was pushing my baby to sleep independently, or ignoring her needs at night by sleep training her. It felt like my only options were to do something to my daughter that I didn’t want to do and felt wrong to me in the hope of getting some more sleep myself, or to continue struggling on as I was.
I became obsessed with learning everything I could about normal infant sleep, child development, and gentle, responsive parenting, trying to find answers. It was a huge relief to discover that there were ways to support my daughter’s sleep while staying connected to her needs and remaining fully responsive, and slowly things began to improve for us.
​
But, as our situation got better, I realised how much I had been missing in those early months - community, guidance, and validation - and knew that I wanted to provide the support I had so desperately needed to other parents who also want to honour their intuition and nurture their little ones while also finding more rest for themselves. I enrolled in the OCN Level 6 (degree level) Holistic Sleep Coaching Program led by Dr. Lyndsey Hookway and the BabyEm team - the most comprehensive, evidence-based program of its kind - and became a fully certified and accredited holistic sleep coach. I founded Bright Little Star Sleep because I believe that sleep support should never feel like a battle against your little one’s needs or your own instincts and values as a parent.
I’m passionate about helping families find sleep solutions that respect the unique bond between parent and child. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach here - just a deep respect for the natural flow of parenthood and a belief that with the right support, you can find more rest while still staying true to your values. You don’t have to choose between responding to your baby and improving sleep; there is a beautiful middle ground that honours both.​
WHAT DO I MEAN BY "HOLISTIC"?
There are so many factors that influence how our little ones sleep, and every baby is beautifully unique. That's why I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all sleep plans or rigid schedules—they simply don’t reflect the diverse needs of each child and family.
​
When we work together, I look at everything from your child’s physical health, nutrition, development, temperament and emotional well-being to the wider context and dynamics of your family, alongside the daily (and nightly) rhythms of their sleep. I'll also help you understand what is biologically normal for infant and toddler sleep, and reassure you that it's okay if your little one isn’t following the "rules" you may have heard.
​
Instead of focusing on quick fixes, we’ll explore the bigger picture. By addressing any underlying factors, we can gently support better sleep for your whole family without sleep training. My approach is all about working with your baby’s natural rhythms, helping you to find sustainable, gentle solutions that honour your child’s unique needs.
MY APPROACH
You are the true expert on your child. Everything we do together will honour your intuition and align with the unique needs of your little one. My goal is to support you in a way that feels natural and connected to your parenting values, while fostering secure attachment and nurturing the bond between you and your child.
​
I do not use or advocate for any separation-based sleep methods, such as cry-it-out or controlled crying. I believe that babies and toddlers communicate through their cries, and it’s our role as parents to respond to them with love and support. You will never be asked to ignore your child’s needs, refrain from comforting them in whatever way feels right to you, or leave them alone with their emotions.
My work is deeply rooted in research on infant development and attachment theory. I am passionate about raising awareness of biologically normal infant sleep and behaviour, and every recommendation I offer is grounded in what we know about how babies grow, develop, and thrive, ensuring that our approach is always respectful, gentle, and in harmony with their developmental stage.
​
At the same time, I do recognise that even though something may be biologically normal, it doesn’t always mean it’s sustainable for every family. What feels manageable for one parent may not for another - and that’s okay! I’m here to listen, to understand your unique needs, and to help you find a path to better sleep that works for you and your family, in a way that feels good to your heart.​