Tory W, Newborn Care Specialist in Newport News, VA

Tory W Newborn Care Specialist in Newport News, VA

5.0 20 reviews 30 years of experience
Not taking new clients right now
$35+ flat rate · Sleep Direction Session package

About Tory

The Babypreneur | Maternal Wellness Visionary | Author | Educator Founder of Whispering Lullabies & The Maternal Concierge Creator of the Sacred Sleep Method™ Namaste! I'm Tory Whitney, affectionately known as Ms. Tory—a lifelong nurturer, maternal wellness advocate, entrepreneur, and visionary affectionately embracing my newest title: The Babypreneur. For more than 30 years, I have devoted my life to caring for children and families, including over seven years specializing in pregnancy, birth, postpartum recovery, newborn care, and infant sleep. As a birth and postpartum doula, newborn care specialist, infant sleep consultant, mindfulness and Hypnobabies educator, and spiritually intuitive counselor, I've had the privilege of supporting more hundreds of families through some of life's most intimate and transformative experiences. I'm also the founder of Whispering Lullabies, creator of the Sacred Sleep Method™, and author of *Sacred Sleep: A Gentle Nervous System Guide for Babies and Parents*, available on Amazon. But my journey has evolved into something far greater than providing individual care. From Caregiver to Babypreneur Throughout my career, I've traveled to globally, entered homes from all walks of life, and spent countless hours alongside families during the earliest days of parenthood. I've witnessed beautiful births, sleepless nights, emotional recoveries, quiet victories, and the extraordinary transformation that happens when someone becomes a parent. I've also witnessed something that deeply troubled me. Too many families are navigating one of the most vulnerable periods of their lives without consistent, accessible, or coordinated support. A mother may receive excellent care during pregnancy, only to feel forgotten after delivery. Parents may leave the hospital with a newborn, a handful of instructions, and more questions than answers. Families often find themselves searching separately for lactation guidance, emotional wellness resources, newborn care, sleep support, and trustworthy education. The services may exist, but the connections between them are often missing. And those gaps matter. Research has shown that appropriate social support, continuity of care, and access to maternal mental health resources can play important roles in protecting parental well-being and addressing postpartum depression and anxiety. I began asking myself a simple question: What if families didn't have to wait until they were overwhelmed to discover the support they needed? What if we could build their village before they needed it? That question helped inspire my evolution from hands-on caregiver to Babypreneur. The Maternal Concierge | Building an Ecosystem of Care My experiences traveling, working with families, and collaborating with maternal wellness professionals inspired me to create The Maternal Concierge—an ecosystem of care designed to bridge the gaps in support from pregnancy through postpartum and early parenthood. I believe no parent should have to navigate this journey alone, and no family should have to piece together an entire support system while exhausted, recovering, or emotionally overwhelmed. The Maternal Concierge brings together a collaborative village of trusted independent professionals, including birth and postpartum doulas, newborn care specialists, lactation professionals, infant sleep consultants, maternal wellness providers, educators, and other family-centered resources. Our mission is not simply to connect families with a service. It is to help create continuity, encourage collaboration, simplify access to trusted support, and nurture families through the transitions of parenthood. I envision a world where maternal care feels less fragmented, where professionals work together rather than in isolation, and where families feel supported long after the initial excitement of welcoming a baby has passed. Because caring for the baby should never mean forgetting the parent. ## The Sacred Journey of Parenthood I have always believed that the journey to parenthood is sacred. Not necessarily in a religious sense, but in the extraordinary responsibility and privilege of welcoming a new human life into the world. There is something profoundly humbling about caring for a baby. After decades of spending quiet hours with newborns, observing their expressions, studying their movements, and learning their unique ways of communicating, I have come to appreciate how much these little beings have to teach us. We often enter parenthood believing our responsibility is to teach our children everything they need to know about life. Yet sometimes, our children become our greatest teachers. They teach us patience before they can speak. They teach us presence in a world that rarely slows down. They teach us vulnerability, unconditional love, surrender, and the importance of connection. They remind us that not everything meaningful can be measured, scheduled, rushed, or controlled. I believe our children are not extensions of ourselves or possessions to shape into our own image. They are individuals entrusted to our care, each arriving with their own temperament, personality, needs, and unfolding story. Our responsibility is not to control who they become, but to create an environment where they feel safe enough to grow into who they are. That understanding has profoundly influenced both my professional philosophy and the way I nurture families. My personal foundation includes mindfulness, spiritual awareness, and intuitive practices, but my care is inclusive, nonjudgmental, and welcoming to families of all faiths, denominations, spiritual traditions, and personal beliefs. At the heart of everything I do is a universal principle: love, compassion, respect, and connection. Sacred Sleep | Understanding Before Intervention My years of caring for newborns, particularly during the quiet overnight hours, inspired the development of my Sacred Sleep Method™. I began recognizing that many traditional approaches to infant sleep focused heavily on schedules, habits, and independence without fully exploring what a baby's behavior might be communicating. I wanted to change that conversation. Sacred Sleep is a regulation-first philosophy rooted in the belief that sleep emerges more naturally when babies feel safe, supported, and understood. My guiding principle is simple: Sleep is allowed, not taught. Rather than beginning with the question, "How do we make this baby sleep?" I encourage parents to ask, "What does this baby need in order to rest?" That shift in perspective can change everything. Through an understanding of infant physiology, nervous-system development, temperament, feeding patterns, sensory needs, and responsive caregiving, I help parents recognize the reasons behind their baby's behavior. My approach prioritizes connection before correction, regulation before expectations, and responsiveness over rigid schedules. I do not use cry-it-out or extinction methods. Instead, I teach parents how to recognize subtle cues, establish supportive rhythms, and gradually encourage developmentally appropriate sleep skills without compromising their child's need for connection. Sacred Sleep is more than a sleep philosophy. It is an invitation for parents to become curious observers of their children rather than feeling pressured to control every behavior. Intuition, Experience, and the Art of Nurturing One of the most meaningful gifts my career has given me is a deeply refined understanding of the unspoken needs of babies and mothers. Babies communicate long before they develop language. Their movements, expressions, breathing patterns, body tension, and responses to their environment can offer important clues about their needs. Through decades of hands-on experience, professional education, mindfulness, and intuitive awareness, I have developed an attentive, individualized approach to recognizing these subtle communications. That same attentiveness extends to parents. Sometimes a mother needs reassurance before she asks for it. Sometimes a family needs permission to slow down, release unrealistic expectations, or recognize that they are doing better than they think. My role has never been simply to complete a checklist of caregiving tasks. It is to help families feel seen, heard, understood, and supported while sharing practical knowledge that strengthens their confidence. I combine evidence-informed care with careful observation, emotional awareness, and respect for each family's individual values and choices. A New Chapter | Education, Innovation, and Community As The Babypreneur, I am expanding my work beyond traditional one-on-one caregiving. My vision includes developing accessible educational resources, digital support tools, professional collaborations, community experiences, and innovative solutions that make compassionate maternal and infant care easier to access. Through The Maternal Concierge, I am working to strengthen the connections between families and the professionals who serve them. Through Whispering Lullabies and Sacred Sleep, I continue sharing the knowledge and philosophy developed through decades of nurturing babies and supporting parents. And through education, speaking, writing, and technology, I hope to help reshape how we think about early parenthood, infant sleep, and the importance of ongoing maternal support. My goal is not to replace the human connection that makes this work so meaningful. It is to make that connection more accessible. ## My Philosophy I believe every baby deserves to be understood. Every parent deserves to be nurtured. Every family deserves access to a village. And every professional dedicated to supporting families deserves the opportunity to contribute their gifts within a collaborative, respectful community. Parenthood is not simply about raising a child. It is also about the transformation of the people entrusted with loving and guiding that child. When we nurture parents, we nurture babies. When we strengthen families, we strengthen communities. And when we build meaningful connections between the people who care, we begin closing the gaps that have left too many families feeling alone. This is the heart of my work, the foundation of The Maternal Concierge, and the vision behind my evolution as The Babypreneur. Because the journey to parenthood is sacred, and no family should have to walk it alone. Ms. Tory | The Babypreneur Founder, Whispering Lullabies Founder & Creative Director, The Maternal Concierge Creator, Sacred Sleep Method™ Author | Educator | Maternal Wellness Advocate http://www.whisperinglullabies.com www.thematernalconcierge.com Your Needs. One Village.

Availability

Not taking new clients right now
Starting Jul – Sep 2027
Confirmed 2 weeks ago

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Newborn Care Specialist packages and pricing

Sleep Direction Session

Not sure what is affecting your child’s sleep—or which type of support your family needs? The Sleep Direction Session gives you an opportunity to discuss your most pressing sleep concern directly with Ms. Tory. During this focused virtual session, Ms. Tory will listen to what your family is experiencing, identify important patterns, and offer professional direction based on the regulation-first Sacred Sleep Method. Your session includes: • One 30-minute private virtual consultation • Discussion of one primary sleep concern • Initial review of your child’s current sleep pattern • Practical recommendations you can begin using • Guidance on the appropriate next step for your family • A recommendation for additional Sacred Sleep support, when needed This session may be helpful for families experiencing: • Frequent night waking • Short or inconsistent naps • Contact sleep • Difficult crib transfers • Feeding-to-sleep associations • Bedtime resistance • Early-morning waking • Questions about age-appropriate sleep rhythms Ms. Tory is an experienced Infant Sleep Consultant, Newborn Care Specialist, author, and creator of the Sacred Sleep Method. Her approach supports regulation, rhythm, responsiveness, and connection—without cry-it-out or extinction methods. After purchasing, you will receive scheduling instructions and a brief questionnaire within one business day. This is a focused direction session and does not include a comprehensive written sleep plan, ongoing messaging, sleep-log analysis, or follow-up coaching. Families needing a complete assessment or implementation support may be referred to another Sacred Sleep service. Sacred Sleep provides educational sleep consulting and family support. It does not diagnose or treat medical conditions, replace care from your child’s pediatrician, or guarantee a particular sleep outcome.

$35 USD · Flat rate

Gentle Birth One Day Intense Childbirth Education Session

One Day immersive preparing parents for a calm, regulated, and connected birth experience with a focus on utilizing sports psychology summered in mindfulness.

$150 USD · Flat rate

Essential Newborn Care for Parents Instructional

A gentle parent coaching class teachg the essential of newborn care, cue, soothing feeding sleep basics and confident care giving

$150 USD · Flat rate

Accepted insurance

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Cigna Medicaid Tricare Optum Health Sentara Health Plans Message Tory to confirm coverage for your plan.

What to expect

I support families from bump to baby with personalized, regulation-first care from pregnancy through six months postpartum. From birth preparation and mindset coaching to newborn care, sleep setup, and discreet overnight support, my role is to help you feel calm, capable, and well-rested during this tender season. Whether in-person or virtual, Whispering Lullabies offers a thoughtfully designed care ecosystem that fills the gaps traditional support often misses—providing clarity, continuity, and empowered confidence so your family can truly thrive.

Upcoming classes

Motherhood Unfiltered
Motherhood Unfiltered
Online event
Are you a new mom looking for new mommies .... community? Join me, Ms. Tory, The Babypreneur, for Motherhood Unfiltered, a virtual postpartum moms circle where we can have real conversations about motherhood, the beautiful moments, the challenges, and everything in between. No judgment, no pressure, just a safe, welcoming space to connect, share, and support one another. Saturday, November 14, 2026\ 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM EST\ Virtual via Zoom Come as you are. Babies are welcome! Join us here:\ https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89469678574... \#MotherhoodUnfiltered #TheBabypreneur #PostpartumSupport #MomsSupportingMoms #TheMaternalConcierge
Free event
Learn more

Reviews for Tory W

5.0 20 reviews
5.0

We had the absolute best experience with Tory, and I cannot recommend her highly enough. From the moment she walked into our home, she brought an immediate sense of calm and confidence that we desperately needed. After just one visit, our entire household felt more settled. She didn’t just care for our newborn—she taught me how to care for him with new techniques, hands-on guidance, and so much patience. She showed me how to soothe him, how to read his cues, and how to manage those fussy moments that had felt overwhelming before. Her approach was gentle, practical, and incredibly reassuring. On top of that, both the baby and I were coming down with a cold, and she handled the situation with so much compassion. She showed me how to help a congested newborn, helped me feel more confident in what to watch for, and even let me get much-needed rest. I truly felt cared for as a new mom, not just supported in caring for my baby. If you are looking for someone who brings expertise, calm energy, and genuine care into your home, Tory is absolutely exceptional. One visit made such a meaningful difference for us, and I am so grateful for her. I am excited to work with her again and ensure that I’ve really taken her lessons to heart.

— Huong T.

5.0

Latory & I connected through social media following a fatal birth injury that occurred with my baby boy and after i was ghosted by my birth doula. She supported me free of charge from a entirely different state. I’m in NC. Though my NICU journey was rough and sometimes there were no words to say, she always made herself available to me and offered me words of encouragement. She even surprised me and mailed me the most beautiful flowers ever around the time of my loss. What a kind hearted beautiful spirit. I thank God for sending me this beautiful stranger along the way. I highly recommend her and wish your business many many blessings.

— Brianna Adams

5.0

Tory helped my daughter who lives many miles from me. While I was able to be with her right after the birth, I cannot now easily return to help out in person. Her service was exactly what I was looking for as my daughter navigates the challenging newborn stage. She not only offered hands-on support with her newborn, she also gave my daughter the confidence, tools, and emotional support she needed. I genuinely believe she made a lasting impact. She was there when I couldn't be, and for that, I will always be grateful. - One happy mama and grandma- Jacki Case

— Jacki Case

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Certifications, training, and specialties

Certification and training

  • Gentle Birth Baby Hypno Child Birth Certification (2020)
  • Wisdom Design Insitute - Certified Life Coach (2019)
  • NCTA Twins Certification (2023)
  • NCTA LGBTQ+ Certification (2023)
  • NCTA 24/7 Certificate (2023)
  • Renewed First Aid CPR (2023)
  • Pregnancy and Infant Lost Certificate (2023)
  • QC Wellness Sleep Training (2022)
  • Infant Massaging (2026)
  • Surrogacy Doula (2026)
  • Birth Doula DONA (2020)
  • Madriella Birth Doula Post Partum Certificate (2024)

Education

  • B.S in Business (2024)
  • Doctorate in Metaphysics (2026)

Memberships and affiliations

  • Secretary of the Virginia Doula Association
  • A Brighter Birth Collective's Sleep Trainer

Languages

  • English

Specialties

Abortion Doula Care Abuse Anger Management Anxiety Anxiety and Depression Aromatherapy Assertiveness Attachment problems Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Baby and Toddler Sleep Coach Birth and Lactation Birth Doula Birth Support Birth Trauma Breastfeeding Assistance and Support Breastfeeding Support Building Healthy Communication Career Counseling Caring for Special Needs Children Childbirth Education Child/family Therapy Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Cognitive Processing Therapy Early Parenting Educator Grief and Loss Grief Counseling Home Birth Hypnobirthing Method Infant Care Labor Doula Lactation Consultation Lactation Home Visits Latch Issues Life Transitions Loss and Bereavement Doula Low Milk Supply/Over Supply Mental Health Mindfulness Mood Disorders Overnight Newborn Care Parenting Parenting Support Perinatal and Infant Loss Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Placenta Encapsulation Positive Thinking Postpartum Adjustment Postpartum Care Postpartum Depression Postpartum Doula Care Postpartum Life Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Pregnancy Loss Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum Therapy Premature Infants Prenatal and Postpartum Massage Therapist Prenatal Life Self-Actualization Self-Compassion Self-Esteem Sibling Preparation Sleep Consultant Solution Focused Therapy Spirituality Stress Management Support during Labor, Birth, and Postpartum Support in Pregnancy Loss Toddlers Well-Woman Care Massage

Certifications, training, and credentials are listed by the provider. Bornbir doesn't verify them, so ask Tory for a copy of any certificate you rely on.

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Frequently asked questions

How to get my newborn to sleep at night

Getting your newborn to sleep at night isn’t about one magic trick—it’s about creating predictable, sensory-safe rhythms that support your baby’s developing nervous system. Newborns sleep best when their bodies feel safe, regulated, and gently guided through the day. By using frameworks like E.A.S.Y. scheduling and building healthy sleep associations, you’re not forcing sleep—you’re teaching the body when it’s time to eat, connect, rest, and reset. Consistent cues, mindful timing, and calm transitions help your baby gradually differentiate day from night and settle more easily into longer stretches of rest. When rhythm, regulation, and responsiveness come together, sleep becomes a natural byproduct—not a battle.

Why Does My Baby Sleep on My Shoulder Longer

If your baby sleeps longer on your shoulder than anywhere else, it doesn’t automatically mean you’ve created a bad habit. It may be your baby’s way of asking for more regulation. When your baby rests upright against you, their nervous system receives several layers of support at once: • Upright positioning may feel more comfortable for breathing and digestion • Chest-to-chest contact supports warmth and physiological stability • Your breathing and gentle movement provide a calming rhythm • Firm, contained contact can soften the startle response • Your scent, voice, and heartbeat signal familiarity and safety Together, these cues can help your baby move from a protective, alert state into a calmer rest-and-digest state. This may explain why some babies wake quickly after being placed in a bassinet or crib but remain asleep longer while being held. Their bodies are not necessarily “fighting sleep.” They may need additional support during the transition from your regulated body to their independent sleep space. The goal is not to hold your baby forever. It is to understand what your body is providing—warmth, pressure, rhythm, familiarity, and safety—and gradually recreate those regulatory cues through thoughtful timing, slower transfers, consistent sensory cues, and responsive support. Longer sleep on your shoulder isn’t automatically dependency. It is communication—and when we understand the “why,” we can respond more confidently. For safety, contact sleep should only happen while the adult holding the baby is fully awake and alert. When you are ready to sleep, place your baby on their back in a separate, firm, flat, and empty sleep space.

How do I encourage labor and trust my baby's timeline

How do I encourage labor and trust my baby’s timeline? The urge to “get things going” near the end of pregnancy is real—especially when exhaustion sets in or outside pressure starts to creep up. What’s often overlooked is this: your baby initiates labor. The hormonal cascade that begins birth—especially the cortisol signal from baby to parent—is a biologically timed conversation between your bodies. When that conversation is rushed or overridden too early, it can influence newborn breathing, feeding, temperature regulation, and even longer-term sleep and digestion rhythms. If your baby is full term and thriving, supporting labor doesn’t mean forcing it—it means creating conditions that allow the body to respond when the signal arrives. Gentle ways to support the process without urgency: Daily movement: walking, stairs, or time on a birth ball to support baby’s descent Oxytocin activators: laughter, massage, intimacy, emotional safety Warm baths and grounding rituals: calming the nervous system so the body can soften and open Breathwork and visualization: syncing your body with readiness rather than pressure Acupressure or red raspberry leaf tea: only with guidance from a trusted care ally—not because TikTok said so Birth doesn’t begin on a schedule—it begins within the bond between baby and parent. Your body knows. Your baby knows. Trust that conversation and respond with intention, not urgency.

Consent: What if my provider is recommending something that doesn't feel right

You don’t owe your body, your baby, or your birth to anyone else’s timeline or preferences. If a recommendation feels rushed, unclear, or misaligned, it’s okay to pause. You have the right to ask questions, to decline, or to explore alternatives. Birth is not a performance—it’s a physiological process that unfolds best when the birthing parent feels safe, respected, and informed. Implied Consent vs. Informed Consent Implied consent happens when agreement is assumed—because something is “routine,” because no one explained it, or because silence was taken as a yes. It often lacks conversation and transparency. Informed consent means you’ve been given clear information about what’s being suggested, why it’s being recommended, the potential risks and benefits, what alternatives exist, and what happens if you choose to wait or decline. You don’t consent because something is offered. You consent when it feels safe, aligned, and fully understood. Use Your B.R.A.I.N. This gentle framework (often used in conscious and gentle birth education) supports real-time decision-making: B – Benefits: What are the benefits of this option? R – Risks: What are the risks—for me and for my baby? A – Alternatives: What other options are available? I – Intuition: What does my inner guidance say? N – Nothing: What happens if we wait or do nothing right now? Practicing B.R.A.I.N. during prenatal visits helps center your voice before labor even begins. Two grounding questions can also reset the conversation: Is my baby okay? Am I okay? If both you and your baby are stable—heart rate steady, no signs of distress—you often have time. Time to ask. Time to weigh options. Time to breathe. If a provider feels uncomfortable with your pause or your questions, that reflects their comfort level—not your obligation. Your care should feel like a partnership, not pressure.

How do you know its not the baby blues but PMAD

The baby blues are common and temporary, affecting up to 80% of new parents. They typically begin a few days after birth and ease within two weeks. During this time, you may feel weepy, irritable, overwhelmed, or emotionally raw—but you can usually still access moments of calm, connection, or joy between the waves. PMAD stands for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. It’s an umbrella term that includes postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and related conditions. PMADs tend to feel deeper, last longer, and interfere with daily functioning or your ability to feel like yourself. Watch the timeline Baby blues: Peak around days 4–5 postpartum and resolve within about two weeks PMAD: May begin during pregnancy or anytime within the first year postpartum and does not typically resolve without support Notice the intensity and impact Baby blues: Emotional ups and downs, but you still recognize yourself underneath PMAD: Persistent sadness, anxiety, rage, numbness, or intrusive thoughts that disrupt sleep, bonding, eating, or day-to-day functioning A helpful check-in to ask yourself: Is this improving with time and rest—or does it feel like it’s taking over? If symptoms feel heavy, persistent, or isolating, it’s not a personal failure—it’s a signal that support is needed. Early care makes a difference, and help can coexist with being a loving, capable parent.

Why are the rates so high?

Because this level of care is not basic childcare—it’s specialized, high-touch, professional support during one of the most critical windows of family life. My rates reflect: Years of experience and specialization in newborn care, postpartum support, and sleep regulation On-call availability, overnight hours, and emotional labor that require sustained presence, alertness, and expertise Personalized, in-home care tailored to your baby, your nervous system, and your household—not a one-size-fits-all approach Risk, responsibility, and continuity of care during a medically and emotionally sensitive period Ongoing education, training, and professional readiness to support feeding, sleep, recovery, and regulation safely This work supports more than sleep—it protects parental mental health, supports infant development, and helps households stabilize during a vulnerable transition. Families aren’t just paying for hours; they’re investing in peace of mind, informed guidance, and regulated support when it matters most. High-quality care during early postpartum isn’t an expense—it’s an investment in rest, bonding, and long-term well-being.

How much does Tory charge?

Tory's Sleep Direction Session package is $35 USD, flat rate. Tory lists 9 packages in all.

Is Tory taking new clients?

Not taking new clients right now. Availability was confirmed 2 weeks ago.

Does Tory accept insurance?

Tory lists Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Cigna, Medicaid, Tricare, Optum Health, and Sentara Health Plans as accepted insurance. Message Tory to confirm coverage for your plan.

Service area

Tory is based in Newport News, Virginia.

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