Meet Our Instructors

As a certified childbirth educator and doula, Jessica knows firsthand that knowledge is power for new parents. She has a passion for teaching moms how to birth with confidence and find joy no matter what circumstances they encounter. She specializes in producing balanced, evidence-based content so students are empowered to make their own informed decisions. She co-founded Balanced Families® with her husband, Ben. They have three girls and love the outdoors.

Ben is a dad coach and education expert. Transitioning to fatherhood was challenging for him. But that challenge gave him a passion to better prepare other men for the experience. Ben now develops tools and resources so partners can be proactive, supportive, and prepared for birth and parenthood. Before co-founding Balanced Families with Jessica, Ben worked in public education as a teacher and then as a K-12 instructional specialist, publishing curriculum used all across the U.S.

Jessica has been working with women, infants and children since 2006, first as a registered nurse, and now as a pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP). After experiencing breastfeeding challenges of her own, Jessica then became an international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) to help new mothers find breastfeeding success. She currently oversees the newborn nursery as a PNP at a local birthing center. Jessica and her husband, Zach, have two teenagers who keep them busy with sports and outdoor adventures.

Andrea has been a baby sleep consultant for 7 years, since her first baby refused to sleep well. She knew there had to be a way to understand sleep and then make it happen instead of relying on crying it out. She found a way and has since helped thousands of families sleep. Andrea grew up all over the world and is now a mom of 3, business owner, children’s author, and avid crocheter.