20 Years of Sleep Science Meets Holistic Maternal & Child Sleep Support
Meet Ana Afonso Ferreira of Portugal, a cardiopneumologist, longtime sleep professional, founder of My Sleepy Baby, author, and graduate of IPHI’s Holistic Pregnancy & Child Sleep Consultant Certification Program.
Ana’s story is particularly distinctive because her professional relationship with sleep did not begin when she entered the world of infant sleep consulting.
It began approximately 20 years ago, while she was still at university.
Since then, her professional journey has taken her from studying sleep apnea to working in a hospital sleep laboratory, completing a master’s degree, obtaining European certification in sleep, and eventually expanding her expertise into maternal, infant, and child sleep.
A Professional Foundation in Sleep Science
Ana is a cardiopneumologist, an allied-health profession in Portugal involving specialized work across cardiovascular, respiratory, and physiological health.
Her fascination with sleep began during university, when she completed her final academic project in the area of sleep apnea.
That interest became a career.
According to Ana, she has spent approximately 20 years working in the Sleep Laboratory at Hospital de Vila Real.
As her interest in sleep continued to deepen, she pursued further academic and professional development, including completing a master’s degree and obtaining European certification in sleep.
This means that when Ana eventually expanded into maternal and infant sleep, she brought with her an already substantial foundation in sleep science and clinical sleep environments.
Motherhood Opens a New Chapter
Ana’s professional understanding of sleep took on an entirely new dimension when she became a mother.
As she describes on My Sleepy Baby, motherhood introduced her firsthand to another side of sleep: the complexities of a baby’s sleep and the impact those challenges can have on the entire family.
Rather than relying solely on what she already knew professionally, Ana went back to learning.
She studied maternal and infant sleep and completed additional certification, including IPHI’s Holistic Pregnancy & Child Sleep Consultant Certification Program.
This created an unusual combination of expertise:
Sleep science and physiology.
Hospital sleep-laboratory experience.
Maternal and infant sleep.
Motherhood.
Holistic family-centered support.
Together, those experiences helped shape what would become My Sleepy Baby.
A Holistic Approach to Infant and Child Sleep
Ana’s approach through My Sleepy Baby closely reflects the holistic principles she studied through IPHI.
Her website specifically explains that infant and child sleep is approached holistically, taking into consideration the different aspects of both the child’s life and the family.
Rather than applying a predetermined solution, the sleep concern is considered within its specific context. Strategies and action plans are then developed collaboratively with parents while respecting the baby’s wellbeing and the family’s wishes.
That distinction matters.
Children do not sleep independently of their health, development, environment, feeding, relationships, family circumstances, and individual biology.
Understanding the context surrounding sleep allows professionals to look beyond a single behavior and ask a more meaningful question:
What might this particular child and family need?
Founder of My Sleepy Baby
Through My Sleepy Baby, Ana has transformed her professional knowledge into an educational platform supporting families through multiple stages of early parenthood.
Her work includes individual infant and child sleep consultations, online consultations, workshops, educational articles, and comprehensive baby-sleep courses.
Her workshops address sleep across different developmental stages, including:
- Newborn sleep
- Baby sleep through the early years
- Sleep during pregnancy
Ana also offers several versions of her online O Sono do Bebé — Baby Sleep Course, including education specifically for newborns and for babies approximately four months through two years old. Her complete course incorporates additional subjects and guest education to help families navigate sleep as their children grow.
Bringing Sleep Education to Families
Education is an important component of Ana’s professional philosophy.
Through her website and social media, she regularly shares information designed to help parents better understand the science and realities of infant sleep.
Her website describes her educational articles as being grounded in scientific information while also incorporating her professional perspective.
This ability to translate sleep science into information parents can actually understand and apply has become an important part of her work.
But Ana has taken that educational mission one step further.
Author of O Sono dos Animais
Ana is also the author of the Portuguese children’s book O Sono dos Animais — The Sleep of Animals.
Created for children approximately three years and older, the book introduces the importance and functions of sleep through fascinating examples of how different animal species sleep.
Her website lists the book as available through several major Portuguese booksellers, including FNAC, WOOK, and Bertrand.
It is another reflection of Ana’s ability to make sleep education accessible—not only to parents, but also to children.
From Sleep Apnea to Infant Sleep: 20 Years of Learning
What makes Ana’s professional journey particularly compelling is its continuity.
Sleep has remained at the center of her work for approximately two decades, but the way she understands and applies that knowledge has continued to expand.
Her path has moved through:
Cardiopneumology → Sleep Apnea → Hospital Sleep Laboratory → Graduate Education → European Sleep Certification → Motherhood → Maternal & Child Sleep → Holistic Sleep Consulting → Parent & Child Education
Rather than replacing her original professional expertise, holistic maternal and child sleep education added another dimension to it.
And that is one of the things we value most about interdisciplinary education at IPHI.
Professionals do not have to abandon what they already know to expand their understanding.
They can connect it.
Graduate Profile
Name: Ana Afonso Ferreira
Location: Portugal
Profession: Cardiopneumologist | Sleep Professional | Maternal & Child Sleep Specialist
Professional Experience: Approximately 20 years working in the field of sleep
Clinical Sleep Experience: Sleep Laboratory, Hospital de Vila Real
Academic Background: Master’s-level education
Additional Sleep Credential: European certification in sleep
IPHI Education: Graduate of the Holistic Pregnancy & Child Sleep Consultant Certification Program
Founder: My Sleepy Baby
Author: O Sono dos Animais (The Sleep of Animals)
Areas of Professional Focus:
Sleep Science
Sleep Physiology
Sleep Apnea
Maternal Sleep
Newborn Sleep
Infant & Child Sleep
Holistic Sleep Support
Family Wellbeing
Parent Education
Sleep Workshops & Courses
Professional Approach: Individualized and holistic support that considers the child’s sleep within the broader context of the child and family while respecting the baby’s wellbeing and the family’s preferences.
Congratulations, Ana!
Ana Afonso Ferreira’s journey is a wonderful example of how a professional career can continue evolving while remaining rooted in a central passion.
From studying sleep apnea at university and working for approximately 20 years within a hospital sleep laboratory to supporting families through maternal and child sleep education, Ana has continued to expand the ways she understands and teaches sleep.
Today, through My Sleepy Baby, she brings together sleep science, professional experience, motherhood, education, and holistic family support.
We are honored to recognize Ana as part of IPHI’s international graduate community.
Congratulations, Ana! We celebrate your commitment to sleep education, your dedication to families, and the work you continue to contribute in Portugal and beyond.
