Welcome! I am Marly, a certified pediatric sleep consultant, potty training expert, and Montessori trained educator.

I offer strategies around sleep and potty training that are holistic, trust-based, and personalized to each child and each family.

I help families transform their home.

Let’s imagine a world where your day begins with a gentle start…

…I am here to tell you, it’s closer than you think!

Hi, I am Marly. I have been working with young children and their families for over 12 years. I hold an AMI Assistants to Infancy (birth-3) Montessori diploma and a M.Ed., in early childhood education. I am certified pediatric sleep consultant through the Center for Pediatric Sleep Management and a potty training expert from my years of guiding toddlers in the classroom. I am a mother and I love witnessing the raw joy that young children have for this world.

My mission is to help families start each day well rested, grounded, and equipped to navigate the hurdles that arise during infancy & early childhood.

Do You Find Yourself:

  • Exhausted and wanting longer stretches of sleep?

  • Feeling anxious and triggered by your child’s crying or protests?

  • Unable to consolidate naps or struggling to drop a nap?

  • Spending hours researching wake windows and sleep schedules?

  • Wondering why your child all of a sudden is refusing to use the toilet?

  • Wanting to create a purposeful and functional toddler space within your home?

Let Me Make Your Life Easier

Sleep

Building a foundation of positive sleep habits is a gift to your child and yourself. My services range from an hour long consultation to two weeks of full support.

Potty Training

Learning to use the toilet does not happen overnight. Let me help you prepare yourself, the space, and your child for this journey towards functional independence

In-Home Organization

A prepared space allows the young child to adapt to their surroundings in a practical and purposeful way. Creating a “yes” space sets your child up for success!

Families are saying…

  • “Working with Marly was life changing for my family. I was challenged daily by power struggles, meltdowns, feeling disconnected from my toddler, and generally overwhelmed. Marly’s practical, patient, and non-judge mental approach to designing spaces in our home was invaluable. Her ideas helped empower my toddler to have more independence and there is more joy and connection now! Everything she suggested was affordable and doable, and she coached us each step of the way. If you are looking for a comprehensive and compassionate approach to improving your home life with a toddler that addresses their unique developmental needs, Marly is your person!”

    Alissa, parent to Chloe (25 months old)

  • “After working with Marly, our bedtime routine has become much more peaceful and honestly enjoyable. My daughter is falling asleep earlier and getting better quality sleep! Thank you!“

    Tom G parent to Addison (2.5 years old)

  • “After almost a year of our toddler fighting bedtimes and naps, we had a 1-hour phone call with Marly and changed what we were doing. Within a week things turned a complete 180 - no more tears, no more popping out of his room 20x a night, and my husband and I have time together to unwind. Call her - she's amazing“

    Micha, parent to Noah (2 years old)

  • “As a first time mom, there was a lot I didn’t know about sleep for babies. His sleep was inconsistent, and he’d wake up frequently. I’ve had a few consultations with Marly, and they have always been helpful. I learned a lot about sleep expectations and sleep routines as well as different strategies to try. My son always showed improved sleep after implementing Marly’s suggestions. As he’s grown and changed, I have reached out to Marly when his sleep has been more disrupted. Recently, she helped us transition him to his own room, and his sleep has improved greatly. I appreciate how much I’ve learned and how Marly works within our comfort level to give advice, information, and strategies to try immediately.“

    Jennifer, parent to Arthur (9 months)

  • “I loved working with Gentle Start Studios-Marly was helpful and kind at a time when my daughter was figuring out her sleep. I learned so much about sleep patterns and expectations. It was so helpful to have Marly guiding us as first time parents through the many changing phases of sleep. I highly recommend her services! I never felt judged or pressured and gained so much from consulting with Marly.”

    Zoe, parent to Leah (newborn)

Dive deeper into sleep, potty training, and early childhood development! Stay up to date with our blog!

LOVE getting to support toddlers and parents on their journeys towards bathroom independence. 🤗 #parentcoach #toiletlearning #toddlerstoilettraining #bathroomindependence #toddlerlife #toddler #pottytraining #pottytrainingtips
This sums up our summer - lost somewhere in the USA (and abroad!!) My biggest travel hack this summer?! 👉 Scavenger Hunts for Toddlers ✈️ 🚗 🏔️ 🌎 I made these for our various summer travel plans and they helped a lot. We talked about what we s
The age old saying “never wake a sleeping baby”… There are definitely times this holds true but babies and children will only take so much sleep within a 24 hour period. If they’ve maxed out on that amount and you are notici
Signs of Readiness for Toilet Learning … Every child is different but there are some elements to look for. Observing your child to see where they’re at is always key! The “right time” is different for every child Some th
🚽 What’s the best Potty for Learning 🚽 One that allows your child’s feet to rest flat on a supportive surface A small potty chair is great for learning and can be mobile in the car if need be Foldable potty chairs are also great opt
Nap Transitions!!! For some they happen quick, like overnight quick. And for some (ahem, us over here…) they can take a few weeks or months. Dropping a nap looks like a lot of back and forth between the number of naps they used to have and

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