Marissa Gianakas
Master Sleep Consultant
Stafford, Va.
Marissa joined Sleep Wise Consulting in 2019 and is a Master Pediatric Sleep Consultant. With more than 20 years’ experience working in pediatrics, she is a trusted expert in newborn, baby, and toddler sleep. As a long-time member of the Sleep Wise team, she is also a respected mentor to newer consultants.
Marissa’s Experience
Marissa received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in nursing from the University of Florida, and has spent more than two decades dedicated to the care of babies and children as a certified pediatric nurse practitioner, NICU nurse, certified sleep consultant, and a mother. Her medical background has provided foundational expertise in the area of in child growth and development as it relates to sleep.
Marissa has successfully resolved sleep disruptions for hundreds of children ages 0-5 over the past several years. Her approach to sleep training is focused on a long-term solution for families. Because of this, she will take always take time explaining the ‘why’ behind recommended habits and best practices for sleep. Marissa is well-equipped to provide a variety of solutions, and consider a range of parenting styles, when approaching each family’s recommended sleep training solution.
Marissa works with clients ages 0-5, specializing in newborn sleep and baby sleep training.
"We are so grateful for Marissa’s guidance along our journey as new parents. Our son had feeding challenges and serious colic in the beginning and Marissa took our whole picture into consideration when giving us advice on sleeping. Of all of the baby experts we worked with, Marissa was the most consistently right about everything!"
Georgia, parent of a 6 month old
Marissa’s Sleep Story
After my first son was born, I devoted many hours to reading and researching about baby sleep. As a result, he was a decent sleeper early on. But, as is the case, so many families come to realize, the “one size fits all” approach didn’t “fit” for my second son.
Exhausted from trialing (and failing) different sleep methods, and keeping up with my eldest, who was now a toddler, I turned to Sleep Wise. My consultant took an in-depth look at my son’s whole day. She identified potential causes of his sleep disruptions, and offered informed recommendations to improve his sleep. As a result, we saw improvements in his sleep from the very first night!
I was so impressed with a sleep training solution that was varied and nimble enough to work from child to child! I decided to use my background and passion for babies, children, and families to join the Sleep Wise team. Sleep has a huge impact on a growing child, and the rest of the family. I am grateful to be a part of this life-changing solution for so many!
Marissa at a Glance
Location/Time Zone
Stafford, Virginia / EST
ON MY NIGHT STAND
Water, chapstick, sound machine, and my Bible!
Credential(s)
MSN, APRN, CSWC
Specialties
newborns and babies
my style
encouraging, compassionate, and investigative
Sleep Philosophy
I love the why behind sleep! I will not only teach you how to help your little one sleep well, but also why we take a certain approach and why it works (long term!).
Free Guide!
Katie’s Top 5 Sleep Training Tips
We love parents (and free gifts!). Download this Free Guide to learn Sleep Wise Founder Katie Pitts’s five most important sleep training tips based on Sleep Wise’s experience helping thousands of families get back to sleep.