About
Meet Makayla Villaneda
Founder of Shepherd and Sheep Sleep
Mother, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Certified Gentle Sleep Coach
I am on a mission to help families just like yours experience the same sleep transformation I had myself.
My Story: From Sleep-Deprived to Rested
When I had my first daughter, I knew that limited sleep came with the newborn experience and felt prepared to take it in stride. However, I had no idea the rollercoaster of sleep deprivation we would go on—one that would last almost a year.
I thought our situation was unfixable, but I knew I could not sustain that exhausting cycle of nighttime wakings.
Truthfully, many people have never heard of Gentle Sleep Coaches. Unless you are in the sleep-deprived daze I once was in, searching desperately for solutions, it's just not on your radar.
Desperate for a change, I sought the help of a Certified Gentle Sleep Coach. Within days of starting the process:
Tremendous Improvement: My daughter’s sleep (and everyone else’s) improved dramatically.
Parenting Alignment: The approach perfectly aligned with my parenting style, honored our attachment, and suited my daughter’s temperament.
A Thriving Family: I saw a happier, well-rested, thriving baby—and I finally got the rest that had seemed unimaginable.
My Mission & Philosophy
After experiencing this incredible transformation, I knew I wanted to help other families achieve the same peace.
Today, as a Certified Gentle Sleep Coach, I am proud to be part of a collaborative community of pediatricians, lactation consultants, and pediatric sleep experts all invested in supporting families through their unique sleep challenges.
If you are struggling right now, I am here to offer you hope:
Your situation is not unfixable.
Your child is not broken.
You did not fail as a parent
Better sleep for you and your child is within reach, and I would love to help you get there.
