The internet is full of information about your baby’s sleep. But let’s be honest, having all of this information can be overwhelming. And some of it is just plain wrong. I am always amazed at the suggestions I see when a mom asks a sleep question in a Facebook group. Some of the suggestions are completely unsafe while others are completely ridiculous.
So why should you hire a sleep coach?
A sleep coach can help you decide if your child is ready for sleep training. She can also help you decide what method to use. Even a good sleep book can’t take into account your family’s unique circumstances. Sometimes we need help and that is okay! Getting a plan that matches your parenting style is so important. Consistency is also essential to sleep coaching success. It can be difficult to stick to your plan without the support of someone with a lot of experience.
Have you tried sleep training before without success?
Maybe you got stuck and didn’t know what to do. Sleep coaching doesn’t always happen in a straight line of progress from start to finish. There can be obstacles along the way for both parent and child. A sleep coach can help you understand if you should keep going with the plan. Sometimes the plan needs to be tweaked and she can help with that too. I sometimes work with parents who tried things on their own but their baby got sick in the middle of coaching or they weren’t quite sure how to drop night time feedings. Many have felt like they were “doing something wrong”. Getting extra support and fresh, objective eyes to look at your situation and how to change it can be just the thing your family needs to finally sleep coach successfully. Basically, a sleep coach can take all the guesswork out of it for you!
A sleep coach understands how age, developmental stage, temperament and how long habits have been in place can affect how the process goes. Toddlers and school age children can be more challenging to sleep coach than babies because habits have often gone on longer and because they are more mobile. They are really good at stalling and more persistent in trying to get what they want so it can take longer to coach this age. The longer a plan takes, the harder it can be to stick to and a sleep coach can support you in staying consistent!
Not all sleep coaches are created equal
One last thing to keep in mind: not all sleep coaches are created equal! Before you hire one make sure you ask questions such as how much training they have had in pediatric sleep, how long they have been a sleep coach as well as how many children they have worked with. Ask if they are even certified (some are not!) and ask if they are part of any professional sleep organizations. Read reviews and testimonials. Request references if that would help you feel more comfortable. The more comfortable you feel the more likely you will be to trust the coach you are working with and that is huge! By the way, I’m happy to answer any of these questions for you! My resume is solid!
If you would like to ask the above questions or learn more about how I can help you go from where you are now sleep-wise to where you want to be, you can schedule a free Discovery Call HERE.