Wilmer Valderrama, renowned for his role on NCIS, recently offered his open ideas on parenting, specifically his struggles with sleep training his daughter, Nakano. Although initially apprehensive, the actor acknowledged to feeling bad about the process of teaching a newborn to fall asleep independently without parental aid.

However, he has since come to see its benefits, describing it as an “empowering” step that ultimately helped him focus more on his partnership with fiancée Amanda Pacheco.

The 41-year-old and Amanda, 31, welcomed Nakano in February 2021, and Amanda chose to breastfeed. Valderrama was completely helpful throughout, taking on tasks like as diaper changes, charting feeding times, and ensuring Amanda stayed hydrated and well-rested. “There’s always something you can do,” Valderrama told Parents.com, emphasizing the necessity of being an involved and supporting partner.

Despite his initial doubts, he now views sleep training as essential, not only for Nakano but also for the couple’s relationship. “It allows you to focus on your partner and stay connected,” he explained, emphasizing that building a strong partnership is vital in parenthood.

The couple’s love story began three years ago, when mutual acquaintances met them while Amanda was considering moving to Miami, where Valderrama grew up after fleeing from Venezuela as a child. A vacation to Japan solidified their love, and the couple pledged it would “always be us.” Valderrama proposed nine months after their first date, on January 1, 2020. Though the pand3mic postponed their wedding, they welcomed their daughter, Nakano, on February 15, 2021, ushering in a new phase in their relationship.