Start as You Mean to Go: How Lorraine Felix Helps Families Get the Sleep They Deserve

Interview by Heather Anderson

When Lorraine Felix had her first baby, she was like so many new moms—exhausted, overwhelmed, and willing to try just about anything to get her baby to sleep. Bouncing, rocking, shushing, and swinging all became part of the nightly routine, but nothing seemed to work. That all changed when she discovered sleep training. Within weeks, her baby was sleeping soundly, and she had her sanity back. That experience sparked a passion, leading her to become a certified pediatric sleep consultant and the founder of Serene Sleep Solutions.

With over a decade of experience helping families, Lorraine offers a personalized approach that acknowledges every child’s unique needs—without resorting to cry-it-out methods. Lorraine shared insights on her work, her approach, and the common myths around sleep training.

What’s a guiding principle you use in your work?

Start as you mean to go. It’s a phrase I first heard from Tracy Hogg, a well-known sleep consultant. It means setting up good habits early on so that things go more smoothly down the road. I apply this to sleep training all the time—if you want your child to sleep independently, you have to start with routines that support that goal from the beginning.

You have three teenagers now. How does that shape the way you work with new parents and babies?

It actually gives me a great perspective. I started this work when my kids were little because I wanted to help moms who were where I had been—totally lost and desperate for sleep. Now that my kids are older, I still love it because I get my "baby fix," but I also bring a deeper level of experience. I’ve been through every sleep struggle imaginable, both personally and with my clients, so when a parent tells me, "You’ve never seen a baby as strong-willed as mine," I can say, "Oh, trust me, I have."

“The goal is to help the baby learn to sleep independently while still feeling safe and supported.”
— Lorraine Felix

What’s your approach to sleep training, and how does it differ from the ‘cry it out’ method so many parents fear?

That’s one of the biggest misconceptions about sleep training! When people hear "sleep training," they often assume it means leaving a baby alone to cry. That’s not what I do. I use a range of gentle, customized approaches that are based on the child’s temperament and the parents’ comfort level. There might be some protest crying—because babies don’t love change—but I never leave a baby to cry alone. I provide options like checking in at intervals, staying in the room while reducing intervention over time, or using verbal reassurance. The goal is to help the baby learn to sleep independently while still feeling safe and supported.

Who do you typically work with, and is there an age limit?

I primarily work with babies and toddlers from about four months to four years old, but I’ve also helped kids as old as six or seven. Sleep challenges don’t magically disappear after infancy! That said, the younger a child is, the easier the transition tends to be. Newborns can’t be sleep trained, but I do work with parents on establishing healthy sleep habits from day one to make future sleep training easier.

What if a family enjoys bed-sharing? Can you still help?

Absolutely! My approach isn’t about forcing parents into a one-size-fits-all model. If a family loves co-sleeping and it’s working for them, I’m not here to tell them they have to stop. But if they’re struggling—waking up exhausted, feeling like they have no personal space, or their child isn’t sleeping well—I can help them find solutions. That might mean adjusting their routines to make bed-sharing work better or gradually transitioning the child to their own space in a way that feels manageable.

What’s one of your favorite client success stories?

I worked with a single mom whose three-year-old had never slept in his own bed—not once. He was still co-sleeping and nursing all night, which had been fine until she reached a point where she needed to make a change. It took about three weeks, and there were definitely tough moments, but by the end, he was happily sleeping in his own bed. She told me it was life-changing—not just for her sleep, but for her ability to have personal time in the evenings. That’s what I love most about this work—seeing the impact on the whole family.

What are the different ways you work with families?

I offer a few options, depending on what parents need. My most comprehensive package includes daily support via an app where parents log their child’s sleep patterns, and I check in every day to make adjustments. I also offer single phone consultations for families who just need a plan and a little guidance. If a family is local to San Mateo, I provide in-home visits as well.

Where can families be located to work with you?

Anywhere! I primarily work with families remotely, so I have clients all over the U.S. and even in Canada. I do have a great group of clients in New York and Saskatchewan because word-of-mouth referrals have been strong in those areas. For local in-home visits, I’m based in San Mateo, and I’ll travel within a reasonable distance depending on the situation.

What’s a day in your business like?

Mornings start with checking in on my clients’ sleep logs—seeing how their nights went and giving feedback. Throughout the day, I do a mix of consultations, content creation, and responding to client messages. Evenings tend to be a busy time for me since that’s when families need the most real-time support. It’s a balance between being there for my clients and also managing my own family life!

How can parents get started working with you?

The best way is to book a free discovery call through my website. That gives us a chance to chat, see if we’re a good fit, and figure out the best approach for their family. Parents can also reach out via Instagram, Facebook, or email if they prefer to connect first.

Ready for better sleep?

Connect with Lorraine Felix on Instagram or Facebook.

You can also find Lorraine on The M List, The Mamahood’s searchable database of mom-recommended resources, or connect and collaborate with her inside The Club membership for women founders.

Heather Anderson