The Story Behind
Anna & HLO
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Hi, I'm Anna!
I’m Anna Clifford, a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant, mom of three daughters, and the person behind Happy Little Ones.
I live in Johnson City, Tennessee with my husband, our three girls, and our very full family life. I originally grew up in a suburb of Chicago, but East Tennessee has become home for our family.
For more than 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with children and families through gymnastics. I taught children ranging from six weeks old through their teenage years, but during my final years in gymnastics, I spent much of my time working with babies, toddlers, and young children.
I loved that work.
I loved watching little ones learn new skills, but I especially loved working alongside their parents. I found myself helping parents understand their children, find ways to play and connect with them, and feel more confident in what they were doing at home.
That same desire to support the whole family eventually led me to pediatric sleep consulting.
How I Became a Sleep Consultant
When the pandemic changed life for everyone, my own family experienced some of those changes firsthand. With everyone home and our routines turned upside down, my girls’ sleep became more difficult too. As I worked through those challenges with my own children, I realized how much I enjoyed learning about sleep and helping families find solutions that actually worked for their individual children.
Becoming a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant in 2020 felt like a natural next step for me. I wanted to continue doing what I had always loved most: working with children, partnering with parents, and helping families feel more confident.
Since then, I’ve worked with families from newborns through toddlers and young children, helping parents navigate everything from frequent night wakings and short naps to bedtime struggles, early mornings, nap transitions, and changing sleep needs.
My Experience
My background in child development and coaching has shaped the way I approach sleep.
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Sport Management with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, followed by a Master’s degree in Sport Leadership with a concentration in Coaching.
I’m also a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant through the Center for Pediatric Sleep Management, and a member of the International Pediatric Sleep Association. I’ve continued my education through pediatric sleep conferences and ongoing professional development.
But some of my most valuable experience has come from being a mom myself. I know what it feels like to be tired and wonder if you’re doing something wrong. I know how hard it can be to make changes when you love your child deeply and simply want to do what is best for them.
That is a big part of why I believe sleep support should never be one size fits all.
My Approach to Sleep
There is no single sleep method that works perfectly for every child or every family. Some children respond well to a gradual approach. Others do better with clearer structure. Some families are comfortable making bigger changes, while others want to take things one step at a time.
My job is not to tell you that there is only one right way to do it. My job is to listen, understand your child and your goals, and help you find an approach that feels realistic for your family.
I believe you can support healthy sleep while still being responsive to your child. I believe parents deserve clear information without judgment. And I believe you should feel confident in the choices you make for your own family.
Why Happy Little Ones?
I started Happy Little Ones because I wanted to create the kind of support I would have wanted as a parent. Not another generic schedule. Not a list of things you are supposed to do perfectly. And definitely not someone handing you a plan and leaving you to figure out the rest.
You deserve to understand what is happening, know what to try next, and have someone in your corner when things get messy. Whether you’re dealing with newborn sleep, toddler bedtime battles, frequent night wakings, early mornings, or simply wondering if your child’s sleep could be better, I’m here to help.
You do not have to spend another night Googling at 2 AM.
I’m so glad you’re here.
