Meet Your Toddler Sleep Expert
Hi, I'm Karen Winter
Helping families navigate bedtime battles, night wakings, and independent sleep with confidence.
- Certified pediatric sleep consultant
- Degree in Early Childhood Education
- 20+ years with children and families
- Specializing in ages 2 to 7
My story
It began with children
My path to becoming a pediatric sleep consultant didn't begin with sleep. It began with children.
With a degree in Early Childhood Education and more than two decades of experience as a teacher, nanny, and in-home daycare provider, I've spent much of my life helping children learn, grow, and navigate big developmental milestones.
Over the years, one thing became clear: when a child isn't sleeping well, it impacts the entire family. Parents are exhausted, children are struggling, and everyone feels stuck.
That's what led me to create Winter Slumber.
Today, I specialize in helping toddlers and preschoolers build the skills they need for independent sleep while helping parents feel confident, connected, and supported along the way.
I support families in many ways, from editing sleep plans for thousands of families through Huckleberry to creating courses, confidence-building audio stories, and providing one-on-one support. No matter the format, my goal remains the same: to give parents the tools, understanding, and support they need to help their children build independent, peaceful sleep habits.
How I work
Connection, confidence & consistency
Every child is different, but the goal is the same: helping families create lasting change in a way that feels supportive, realistic, and sustainable.
-
Connection
Children learn best when they feel safe, supported, and seen.
-
Confidence
Confidence grows through practice, small successes along the way, and understanding what to expect.
-
Consistency
Lasting change happens through small, repeatable steps that fit real family life.
The method
Prepare. Teach. Practice. Troubleshoot.
The same four-phase framework guides everything I do, from one-on-one coaching to courses.
- Phase 1
Prepare
Set your child (and your home) up for success, so you're not fighting an uphill battle every night.
- Phase 2
Teach
Gently teach the skills your child needs to fall asleep, and stay asleep, on their own.
- Phase 3
Practice
Help the new skills stick with encouragement and consistency, until they become your child's normal.
- Phase 4
Troubleshoot
Know exactly what to do when early wakes, naps, or setbacks show up, because they will.
The Winter Slumber story
From sleep consulting to a family education brand
Winter Slumber began as one-on-one sleep coaching, helping families navigate bedtime battles, night wakings, nap transitions, and independent sleep.
Over time, I noticed something. Not every family needed the same level of support.
Some wanted personalized coaching. Others wanted a class they could work through at their own pace. Some simply needed a practical resource or a little encouragement to help them take the next step.
So Winter Slumber grew.
Today, you'll find one-on-one coaching, self-paced classes, practical toolkits, free resources, and children's audio stories designed to help families build confidence one small step at a time.
Because my mission has never been just about helping children sleep. It's about helping families feel capable, connected, and confident through the process.
Where would you like to start?
Wherever you are, there's a gentle next step, from hands-on coaching to self-paced learning to bedtime stories you can share tonight.