Welcome to Nurtured Nights. I’m Alina Portz, a Pediatric Sleep Consultant in Tampa Bay, and my mission is to bring peaceful, sustainable sleep to families across the Greater Tampa Bay Area. With over 20 years of experience working with young children and their families, I offer more than just sleep advice—I offer holistic, developmental support rooted in compassion.
My professional journey is dedicated to understanding and supporting child development. I started as a classroom teacher, which inspired me to further my education and expertise.
I pursued a Master’s Degree in Psychology with a Specialization in Child and Adolescent Development. Since earning my MS, I became certified as an Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist and have been dedicated to early intervention and infant mental health.
I am always looking to improve my skill set to be able to better support families. My certifications include a variety of highly specialized and attachment-based approaches:
Infant Mental Health
Trauma Informed Behavioral Parenting
DIRFloortime®
Touchpoints
Infant and Family Sleep
Breastfeeding Education
Meditation Teacher (Yoga Nidra)
At Nurtured Nights, my methods are fundamentally attachment-based. Whether we are focusing on overall development or sleep, the child/caregiver relationship will always be our priority.
I am on a mission to help families in Tampa Bay find strategies to strengthen their bonds, promote developmental milestones, and achieve biologically normal sleep without tears or emotional distress for caregiver or child.
Understanding Brain Development: We want families to understand brain development and know that it is okay for babies to wake during the night and it’s okay for parents to parent during the night. We focus on a smooth transition back to sleep after needs are met.
Supporting Development: We support appropriate naps and a smooth bedtime for children birth through five, always following biological norms.
Caregiver Wellness: Our unique services include meditation and yoga nidra techniques to allow parents and caregivers to unwind for their own peaceful sleep, ensuring the whole family is nurtured.
We will not have a one size fits all solution. Every family in the Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater area is different and has their own specific needs, and your plan will reflect that uniqueness.
