Nancy B. Urbina is a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Provider (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International and a Certified Postpartum Doula through Childbirth International. As a mother of two, she combines specialized clinical training with real-world postpartum experience to support families during one of the most vulnerable windows in early parenthood.

Her PMH-C credential – the gold-standard certification in perinatal mental health – positions her uniquely to address the often-overlooked connection between newborn sleep and parental mental health. The first 12 weeks (the “fourth trimester”) are when babies naturally wake frequently, feed around the clock, and have immature circadian rhythms, while parents face extreme sleep deprivation that can significantly worsen anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, and mood disorders.

Nancy’s training and doula work have given her deep insight into how sleep challenges in the early weeks don’t just affect the baby — they directly impact a parent’s nervous system, emotional regulation, and recovery from birth. She writes with both clinical accuracy and deep empathy for the parents who feel like they’re “losing it” because their baby won’t sleep, helping them understand what’s normal, what’s a sign they need more support, and how to protect their mental health while caring for a newborn.

At KidzUnderConstruction, Nancy contributes evidence-based, compassionate content focused on the 0–12 week period. She helps parents set realistic expectations for newborn sleep, recognize when sleep deprivation is taking a toll on their well-being, and find gentle, supportive strategies that prioritize both the baby’s needs and the parent’s mental health – without shame or unrealistic pressure to “fix” sleep immediately.