What is a Sleep Consultant? (and 5 reasons why you should hire one)
Listen, There’s no shortage of information on pediatric sleep.
Parents can turn to books, blogs, podcasts, schedules, and (of course) receive plenty of unsolicited advice from distant relatives. A certified sleep consultant will cut through the clutter of information and help you identify the best approach to fit your child’s personalized needs, then coach you through the process of implementing those changes and troubleshooting any difficulties that arise.
what is a sleep consultant?
A sleep consultant, also known as a sleep coach, is a professional who helps address issues such as nighttime waking, difficulty falling asleep, and irregular sleep patterns. Sleep coaches draw on their extensive experience and knowledge to assess each family’s unique challenges, sleep environments, and lifestyles before offering personalized strategies in the form of a sleep plan for your family to follow. Their goal is to create sustainable solutions that promote better sleep for the whole family!
what is a sleep plan?
When pouring over parenting books and studying sleep training methods it can be easy to get overwhelmed with details and lose sight of the big picture. A sleep plan will structure your approach to sleep training, helping you to make small, meaningful adjustments, and keep your family on track! At A Restful Night, we ensure every sleep plan contains these key elements to set you up for success:
Safety Check: Safety first! A Restful Night provides a comprehensive safety assessment of your child’s sleep space and sleep habits.
Environment Check: You want your child to love their bed as much as you love yours! We’ll help you set the right mood to give your child a better chance at quality sleep. We’ll suggest tools like white noise and black out shades to create a soothing sleep environment.
Start Date: You have to start somewhere! Our Two-Week Full Support Program is designed to ensure you have dedicated time to focus on sleep training without any foreseen disruptions. On your Start Night your coach will be available in real time to help you implement your new sleep plan.
Routine & Schedule: Consistency is key! What you do during the day helps set your child up for a great night time sleep! It’s important to set a predictable routine, and maintain clear sleep cues throughout the day. We can help you get a routine that’s both age appropriate and fits your family’s lifestyle!
Sleep Training Method: There’s so many methods to choose for! We’ll help you pick one that you can stick to confidently! And no, it doesn’t have to be “cry it out”.
Caregiver Collaboration: It’s important to get every member of your child’s day-to-day life on board! Review your sleep plan with your parenting partner or other caregivers to ensure that your child has a consistent experience. At A Restful Night we’ll work with your nanny, and/or help you make adjustments based on your daycare’s schedule!
what makes an A Restful Night sleep consultant special?
We’re certified
At A Restful Night our team of sleep experts are all certified through the Center for Pediatric Sleep Management and are committed to following and educating on safe sleep guidelines as established by the American Academy of Pediatrics. In an industry with no formal regulatory body - we have chosen to hold ourselves to the highest standards of education and professionalism. You can trust that our advice is backed by expert research and prioritizes safe sleep practices above all else.
We Empower Parents
What sets A Restful Night apart is our expertise in both sleep solutions and parent coaching. Think of us as your personal trainer - for all things sleep! Our goal is to help YOU regain confidence and control of bedtime, rather than doing it for you. This ensures that your family remains healthy and rested long after we’ve parted ways. We offer a range of services, from our Two-Week Full Support Program to a 30 minute tune up session, known as our Ask Meg Anything call. We want to ensure you always have a place to turn to for support!
We Take our time
Everyone loves a quick fix, but the reality is that it takes time to build great sleep habits. That’s why we’ve designed our Full Support Program to offer two weeks of unlimited text and email support. This allows us to troubleshoot with you as you implement your personalized sleep plan, and support your family while you build habits that will last a lifetime!
We get it
We’re parents too. We know that when your kids aren’t sleeping, you aren’t sleeping, and we’re here to help everyone get A Restful Night.
how do you know when it’s time to invest in professional help?
We’re in the business of empowering parents. You can do this alone, but you don’t have to, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with needing a little help along the way!
Here’s 5 reasons you should hire a sleep consultant:
You have read all the books but can't seem to crack the code on sleep.
You’ve given it your all, but nothing seems to work for your child. Sometimes, general advice isn’t enough. Our sleep consultants will assess your current approach and help you implement personalized changes. They will bring a fresh perspective and a wealth of information to troubleshoot as you go!
You need an accountability partner to stay consistent.
It takes two weeks to form a habit, and 21 days for it to stick! A sleep plan is only as good as the follow-through to implement it, that’s why A Restful Night offers a Two-Week Full Support Program. Our coaches will help you through the tough times and keep you confident and consistent!
You find yourself saying, "my child hates their crib."
Sleep training is not just about getting your child to sleep through the night. If you find yourself constantly saying, “My child hates their crib,” it’s time to focus on fostering a positive relationship with their sleep environment. A sleep consultant can offer routines and strategies to help your child become a more confident sleeper who feels comfortable and secure in their crib.
You are sleep deprived and are losing joy in your day to day.
Parenting is hard enough; getting sleep shouldn’t have to be. Your mental health and wellness is so important and you’ll be a better version of yourself with a predictable night of sleep. We want you to be able to face all the other challenges of parenthood sans exhaustion!
You worry your child isn't getting the sleep they need.
Getting the age appropriate amount of sleep is just as important as eating when it comes to your child’s development and growth. If you’re unsure if your child is getting enough sleep, we have a Sleep Needs by Age blog and a Sleep Needs by Age chart for you to reference! Of course, the difficultly isn’t finding out how much sleep your child needs, but implementing a schedule that ensures they actually get it! This is where we come in: our sleep experts will help you and your child get on a good rhythm that is both age-appropriate and sustainable for your family’s lifestyle!
if any of this sounds familiar, it’s time to reach out…
You don’t need to settle for long sleepless nights, and cranky exhausted days. Investing in a sleep consultant can be a game-changer for your family. At A Restful Night we’re committed to offering personalized solutions, support, and expertise to help you and your child overcome their sleep struggles.
We’re here to help you find the support your family deserves. Book a complimentary consultation call and learn how we can help!
Meg O’Leary is an Infant and Child Sleep Expert and the Founder of A Restful Night. She and her team offer sleep training support to families worldwide.
