What Does A Sleep Consultant Do?
“Wait, what do you do?” This is a common question I hear when I tell people about my work as a pediatric sleep consultant. The role of a pediatric sleep consultant is relatively new which is why so many families are unfamiliar with it. Many families are excited to hear there’s a professional out there who can help their child and thus themselves sleep better!
Maybe you’ve heard of a sleep consultant before or maybe this is your first time hearing this term. Regardless, today I’m going to explain what a sleep consultant is and how I as a sleep consultant can help you and your family.
What Does A Pediatric Sleep Consultant Do?
As a sleep consultant, I work one on one with families to help establish age-appropriate sleep schedules and sleep habits. Families often reach out to work with me when their baby or child is having trouble with some aspect of sleep. Many families wish to help their child establish independent sleep aka the child can fall asleep without needing a parent present. I have extensive education on sleep science and safe sleep practices. With this knowledge in mind, I act as a cheerleader and coach and am an expert on children’s sleep and sleep challenges. The amount and duration of support I provide depends on the needs of the family. My support is personalized to the family’s needs and goals.
Are Sleep Consultants Certified?
It depends. Being certified is not required to work as a pediatric sleep consultant. There are several organizations out there that provide training and subsequently certification. I am certified through the Center for Pediatric Sleep Management. I completed training over the course of several weeks and at the end, passed an assessment that resulted in me getting certified.
In addition to being a certified pediatric sleep consultant, I am also a Family Nurse Practitioner. I work in family medicine. I provide healthcare to all ages including newborns, infants, toddlers and children. This experience and my medical background adds to my ability to work with families in regards to sleep. I have a passion for the science of sleep and helping families (little ones and parents alike) get sufficient and quality sleep. Learn more about me here.
How Might A Sleep Consultant Be Able To Help My Family?
As a pediatric sleep consultant, I help with issues commonly experienced by infants, toddlers, young children and school-age children. Some of the common concerns parents come to me with and I help with include:
- Refusing to go to bed or stay in bed
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Waking up multiple times at night
- Early rising
- The crib to bed transition
- Short naps
- Nightmares and night terrors
If you’re struggling with any of the above issues, I can help you! The beauty of working with a sleep consultant is you’ll receive a personalized approach and extensive support when trying to improve your little one’s sleep. You can find all sorts of advice online, but what sets me apart as a sleep consultant is my ability to tailor my advice and plan to your family. I consider your family’s values and goals plus your parenting style. After a thorough and detailed sleep assessment, I write a personalized sleep plan that guides you in setting up healthy sleep habits and establishing independent sleep.
What Information Is Included In A Sleep Plan?
- Safe sleep practices
- Daytime schedules
- Nap routines and schedules
- Bedtime routines
- Understanding crying in the sleep training process
- Multiple options/approaches to sleep train your baby or toddler with a detailed and progressive plan
- Best practices to transition from co-sleeping to a crib or bed if needed
- Best practices for night-weaning if needed
If you’re interested in learning more about working with me or would like to schedule a no cost consultation, I would love to hear from you. I also invite you to check out the different services I offer.
