We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Joy Bostrom. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joy below.

Joy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My Story:

When I became a mom at 22, I wanted nothing more than to give my son all the love, comfort, and security in the world. Like many parents, I thought bedtime was the perfect moment to connect, so every night, I would read him stories and rub his back until he fell asleep. It was our little ritual, and it felt beautiful, kind, and full of love.

What I didn’t realize at the time was that I was creating a dependency. By always being there to help him fall asleep, I didn’t teach him how to settle on his own. This pattern grew, and for 12 years, every night, I rubbed his back until he fell asleep. Without intending to, I made it harder for him to feel secure and confident in his ability to sleep independently or be comfortable alone in his room.

Looking back, I realize I was trying to do what felt natural: to nurture, protect, and connect. But in doing so, I accidentally taught my son to associate bedtime with needing me by his side. I taught him to rely on my presence instead of helping him learn that his bedroom is a safe space and that he has the ability to soothe himself to sleep.

Why I’m Sharing My Story:

I’m sharing this because I know I’m not alone. Many parents, especially young ones, want to do what’s best for their children but don’t always have the tools or knowledge to make the healthiest choices. My story is not about guilt or regret—it’s about learning and growing. I want other parents to see themselves in my journey and feel empowered to build better habits that set their children up for success.

Bedtime is more than just a moment to fall asleep; it’s an opportunity to teach our kids independence, resilience, and self-soothing skills while still feeling loved and connected. I’ve lived the challenges, and now I’m passionate about helping parents find balance, create healthy routines, and raise secure, confident sleepers.

Joy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I grew up in Mexico from the age of 3 to 18, an experience that deeply shaped who I am today. Living in a multicultural environment taught me to approach life with openness, adaptability, and an appreciation for different perspectives. As a teenager, I discovered a special passion for caring for babies. I felt an innate connection with infants and an ability to communicate with them in a unique and meaningful way.

As I grew older, my first career path was as a medical assistant. While I valued that work, I eventually discovered the world of postpartum doula care, and I knew I had found my true calling. For over 20 years now, I’ve devoted my life to supporting families during one of the most vulnerable and transformative times in their lives.

Working as a postpartum doula has been incredibly fulfilling. I have spent countless nights helping families establish routines, supporting their feeding journeys, and guiding their babies toward healthy sleep patterns. Over time, I developed a desire to make a broader impact—not just helping one family at a time, but creating tools and strategies that could benefit families everywhere.

Through years of hands-on experience, I developed the Joy of Sleep Method. This method is rooted in routine and repetition, which I call the “language of the baby.” Babies thrive on patterns, so by introducing healthy, consistent patterns, we can communicate with them in a way they understand. At the core of this method are two essential habits: healthy eating and healthy sleeping. These are the only two things we cannot do for our babies, so it’s vital to teach them good habits that will serve them for a lifetime.

Through my agency, The Joy of Sleep, I offer a range of services to support families:
1. In-Home Care: I have built a network of skilled postpartum doulas and newborn care specialists who provide compassionate, hands-on support. When families reach out, I match them with two to three options from my team, allowing them to choose someone who feels like the best fit for their daytime or nighttime needs.
2. Expert Sleep Coaching: For families anywhere in the world, I offer a personalized sleep coaching program. Together, we create a step-by-step plan to establish a strong daytime routine, which naturally transitions into longer and healthier nighttime sleep for their baby.

My focus is always on compassionate infant care and parenting support. Being a parent is one of the most challenging—and rewarding—jobs on the planet, but it often comes with stress and overwhelm. I believe that no parent should face it alone, and my mission is to provide the guidance and tools they need to thrive.

Through my work, I aim to help families build strong, healthy foundations for their babies, giving them the confidence to navigate parenthood with joy and peace of mind.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

What helped me build my audience and find clients as a postpartum doula was focusing on selfless service and truly connecting with the needs of parents. In today’s world, I believe what makes a difference is deeply understanding the industry we work in, recognizing the challenges parents face, and learning how to genuinely support and problem-solve for them.

Every family is unique. Each person reacts differently and has their own specific needs. To provide meaningful support, we must be willing to adapt and tailor our approach to fit each family’s circumstances, personalities, and preferences.

By making these adjustments and truly listening, I’ve found that parents feel seen, heard, and understood. This connection not only builds trust but also helps families achieve the outcomes they’re seeking. It’s this personalized care that has made all the difference in my work.

Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?

For much of my journey as a postpartum doula, my business has grown through word-of-mouth referrals. I’ve always been heart-centered in my work, prioritizing the care and connection I bring to families during such an important time in their lives. While this has been deeply fulfilling, relying solely on word-of-mouth has its limits. It only goes so far and only reaches so many people.

There have been moments where my client base has dwindled—sometimes down to one or even none—and I wasn’t sure how to move forward or expand my reach. It’s been a real challenge to step into the world of marketing and learn how to connect with larger communities in a meaningful way.

Right now, I’m working with an amazing business coach who is helping me take my business to the next level. This process has stretched me in new ways, teaching me skills I never thought I’d need, like how to market myself and reach more people who could benefit from my care.

It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it. I’m excited about this next chapter—stepping outside my comfort zone, growing my business, and, most importantly, being able to help even more families. It’s a journey of learning, and I’m embracing every step.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.joyofsleep.biz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AkEtDU5Dx/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/ptw-M6KkXL
• Other: https://www.google.co.cr/search?sca_esv=563414948&kgmid=%2Fg%2F11trp9dyvd&q=The%20JOY%20of%20Sleep&shndl=30&source=sh%2Fx%2Floc%2Fact%2Fm4%2F3