A Little About Myself
Hi, I am Laura Rubio, the founder of Guava Care. Guava Care is what I truly believe a support system should be in order to shape the relationships that impact early development. We are a team with doulas, newborn care specialists, pediatric sleep consultants and professional nannies all working together to offer professional services based on scientific knowledge and holistic understanding of family dynamics.
I moved from Colombia 7 years ago where I did my Bachelor in Communication. Also, I did a specialization in early childhood education that gave me the opportunity to work as a volunteer in a preschool for more than 4 years and learned a lot about children, their needs and how to take care of them.
I have more than 7 years of experience working with infants, toddlers and preschoolers. As a newborn and infant care specialist I've been working closely with caregivers and parents to provide consistent routines that are customized for each child developmental stage, this includes eating, toileting, playing and sleeping. I feel passionate about helping families to understand their child development and empower them to engage with their kids's needs in a respectful way.
In 2020, after working with several families as a Childcare professional and seeing first hand what a profound difference good sleep made in the temperament and happiness of a child, I turned my focus to learn how to teach parents what I was able to achieve with their babies sleep. So, I became a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant through the Family Sleep Institute with a 250+ hour training curriculum and now I am here and there supporting families to regain the rest they deserve with reliable and holistic practices. In addition, I am a Certified Birth Doula and love helping women to find their voices and advocate for the very best care during this special moment of their life.
Finally, my passion for child development led me to study a Master in Early Intervention and Child Development and provide specialized developmental intervention and monitoring to children, ages 0 to 3, who have an identified developmental delay or may be at risk of delay.
Education
2022
UNIR
Master in Early Intervention and Infant Development
Develop the professional knowledge and skills to provide effective interventions and care to infants, toddlers and young children and their families.
2018-2020
University Uniminuto, Colombia
Master in Peace and Development Studies
Undertake professional initiatives based on the recognition of the ethical-political, educational and socio-cultural implications and respond appropriately to the challenges posed by the construction of peace, from a creative perspective.
2013-2015
University of Sabana, Colombia
Bachelor's Degree in Communication
Launched a community radio program to engage and taught youth to create their own radio content.
2013-2015
Normal Nacional, Colombia
Specialization in Early Childhood Education
Understand the nature and evolutionary development of the child and the context in which the infant develops.
Promote the development of early childhood in each of its dimensions and carry out systematic teaching and learning processes in an intentional, significant and transcendent way.
Certifications
2022
Birth Doula
Sierra Childbirth Institute
Learn about the doula’s role working with women and their partners during pregnancy and in each phase of the birthing process.
Foundations to provide continuous support and care when technology and or medication become necessary
2022
Developmental screening
Child Development Institute
-Understanding the Role of Developmental Screenings for Supporting Children and Families
-Administering, Scoring and Interpreting Developmental Screenings
-Understanding the Referral Process and Using a Strength Based Approach to Share Results
2020
Child Sleep Consultant
Family Sleep Institute, USA
How to overcome sleep challenges and introduce sleeping techniques including the 5 S’s, no tears, pick up and put down, fading, and strategic napping.
2020
Newborn and Infante Care Specialist
Us Nanny Institute
Newborns and infant developmental milestones, holding, feeding, diapering, soothing, routines and more.
2020
Aquatic Therapy for Children
Amepta
Aquatic stimulation helps children adapt to the environment, from familiarization with water, muscle toning and balance exercises, to diving.
2021
CPR and First Aids
eCPRceritification.com
Adult, child and baby first aid - CPR - AED
2020
Children's Yoga Teacher
Aprendum
Understand how children’s bodies change during childhood and how to tailor yoga tools to safely support children’s physical development.
2018
Yoga Teacher 500Hrs
Escuela Internacional de Yoga, Spain
Extensive knowledge of yoga poses, breathing patterns, and anatomy.
My Experience
Pediatric Sleep Consultant
2021 - Current
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Collecting and analyzing data to understand the specific needs and the context of everything related to the Childs’s sleep
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Creating sleep guidance plans adapted for each family needs.
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Coaching families in personalized and/or online 1-1 sessions about general sleep topics, like repercussions of sleep deprivation, sleep hygiene and sleep requirements.
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Actively promoting safety sleep guidelines for newborns, infants and toddlers
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Assisting families during the process and until they reach their own sleep plan goals.
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Developing and implementing sleep programs with standards of care for breastfeeding mothers.
New born and infant care consultant
2019 - Current
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Assisting families about newborn care basics, feeding / sleeping schedules, family adjustment and breastfeeding or formula preparation.
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Advising families on developmental key milestones and a tracking system.
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Carrying out activities to promote child development
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Assisting families with premature babies’ care.
Part Time Nanny
Private families
2021 - Current
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Have affectionately cared for two 4 month old babies.
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Establish a healthy and developmentally appropriate schedule, including sleeping, feeding, and playtime with a focus on developmental milestones.
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Early stimulation activities.
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Provide a healthy meal plan and help with the transition.
Full Time Nanny
Different private families
2016 – 2020
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Have affectionately cared for kids 5 months old to 3 years old
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Physically and verbally interacted with the babies throughout the day
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Specific help with sleep training
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Baby routine: Bottles, diaper change, naps and play time.
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Coordinate field trips to local parks and pool
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Facilitated outdoor learning experiences and the involvement of nature as much as posible
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Potty training
Preschool Assistant
Kindergarten La Paz, Ibagué, Colombia
2011-2014
I looked after up to 15 children at a time while at this position. I supervised them at play, read stories, comforted them, and helped them grow. While at this position, I saw firsthand the positive impact that kindness and compassion can have on a child’s development. Working with children of various ages also helped me create and learn techniques that will allow me to care for your child, no matter what age.
My Hobbies
When I am not working or studying you can find me having fun with my partner and my two cats in some National Park, dancing, biking, or just relaxing at home and reading a book.
