Struggling with sleep issues can be incredibly frustrating and exhausting. Whether you're a parent dealing with an infant's or toddler's sleep problems, finding a sleep consultant can be a valuable resource to help you get the rest you need. Not all sleep consultants are a good fit for families. Parenting philosophy, child's temperament, sleep goals, medical history, age of child, and family lifestyle are all factors to consider when working with a sleep consultant. Let's talk about how to find a sleep consultant that can meet your family's goals. We'll cover the key questions, what to look for, what's important to consider, and general pricing for sleep consulting services.

How to Find a Sleep Consultant

Start with Research: The first step in how to find a sleep consultant is to do your homework. You can start by asking friends, family, or healthcare providers for recommendations. Additionally, you can utilize online resources like search engines and social media platforms to identify potential sleep consultants in your area or who offer virtual consultations.
Check Credentials and Certifications:Once you've compiled a list of potential sleep consultants, the next step is to check their credentials and certifications. Look for professionals who have received training and certification in sleep consulting. Certifications like the Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant (CPSC) indicate a consultant's expertise. Ask which programs they have taken and if they use a variety of methods or just one.
Goals: When researching make sure to search for sleep consultants that fit your goals. Do you want a more gentle approach to sleep? Are you looking for a faster solution to sleep? Are you trying to get the child out of your bed and into their own room? Are you night weaning? Depending on your goals, you want to search for sleep consultants that have experience and training in specific goals.weaning. Since sleep consulting is virtual, that opens the search to the entire US. There will be the perfect sleep consultant for your family if you look for the keywords and phrases.

Questions to Ask the Sleep Consultant

How to find a sleep consultant that is a good fit for you includes asking the right questions:

What is your background and training in sleep consulting?
Do you specialize in specific age groups (e.g., infants, children, adults)?
Can you provide references from clients you've helped?
What is your approach to addressing sleep issues?
How do you tailor your recommendations to individual needs?
What ongoing support or follow-up do you offer?
Do you stay updated with the latest sleep research and techniques?
Are you familiar with any medical conditions affecting my child's sleep?
Why did you get into sleep consulting?
How do you determine which method(s) to use with a child?
What do you love most about being a sleep consultant?
Can you accommodate my scheduling preferences (e.g., in-person virtual sessions)?
What is the cost of your services, and what does it include?
What is your process once we decide to move forward?
What happens if it's not going as planned?

What to Look for in a Sleep Consultant

When finding a sleep consultant, consider the following factors:

Experience: Choose a consultant with a track record of success and a diverse range of clients they have helped. Does the sleep consultant have other experience with infants or toddlers in other areas, such as being a newborn care specialist, postpartum doula, preschool or daycare teacher, etc.?
Education: Many sleep consultants have training in other areas that can enhance their knowledge of infants and toddlers. Experience in lactation, infant development, child development, multiple sleep training programs, and parenting methods like attachment parenting can bring added knowledge and value to sleep consulting.
Compatibility: Ensure your consultant's approach aligns with your beliefs and values regarding sleep training and improvement.
Personalized Approach: Look for consultants who customize their recommendations to fit your unique situation and goals.
Communication Skills: Effective communication is essential, as your consultant should be able to understand your concerns and provide clear guidance.
Flexibility: A sleep consultant must be able to pivot in the method if a particular method isn't working well for you or your child to find a method that works.
Support: A good sleep consultant will offer ongoing support and follow-up to track progress and make adjustments as needed.

Important Considerations

Before embarking on finding a sleep consultant for your infant or toddler, make sure your sleep consultant considers several critical factors when making a sleep plan. The well-being and development of the child are of utmost importance, and a one-size-fits-all approach is simply not suitable for most families. First and foremost, a consultant should assess the child's age, as sleep needs and patterns evolve as they grow. They should also consider any underlying medical conditions affecting the child's sleep, such as reflux or allergies. Additionally, the consultant must understand the family's dynamics and lifestyle to create a sleep plan that aligns with their values, routines, and goals. Ultimately, a responsible sleep consultant will prioritize the child's safety, emotional well-being, and overall health throughout the sleep training, ensuring that the chosen approach is practical and compassionate.Remember that the consultant's approach should prioritize your well-being, safety, and comfort when seeking a sleep consultant. Ensure they do not endorse any methods that go against your principles or make you uncomfortable. They should also know about any underlying medical conditions that could impact your sleep.

General Pricing for Sleep Consulting

A consideration when you find a sleep consultant is your financial investment. The cost of sleep consulting can vary significantly based on the consultant's experience, location, and the extent of services offered. Typically, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $500 for one hour consultations, and sleep consulting packages starting at $500+ with add-on follow-up support ranging from $150 to $500 a week. Sleep consultants typically offer packages with varying weeks of support with the option to add-on time if desired. Keep in mind that more gentle approaches take longer to implement and offer more support than traditional sleep consulting. This means longer support and a higher financial investment. Many gentle sleep consultants charge $1000+ for weeks of on-going support. The slower and more gentle the process, the more time, resources and energy the sleep consultant puts into the service.Finding the right sleep consultant can be a game-changer when it comes to addressing sleep issues and improving your overall quality of life. By conducting thorough research, asking the right questions, and considering the key factors we've discussed, you can decide to find the best sleep consultant to meet your needs. Remember that investing in better sleep is an investment in your health and well-being.Before embarking on sleep training for an infant or toddler, a sleep consultant must consider several critical factors. The well-being and development of the child are of utmost importance, and a one-size-fits-all approach is simply unsuitable. First and foremost, a consultant should assess the child's age, as sleep needs and patterns evolve as they grow. They should also consider any underlying medical conditions affecting the child's sleep, such as reflux or allergies. Additionally, the consultant must understand the family's dynamics and lifestyle to create a sleep plan that aligns with their values, routines, and goals. Ultimately, a responsible sleep consultant will prioritize the child's safety, emotional well-being, and overall health throughout the sleep training process, ensuring that the approach chosen is both effective and compassionate.Nurtured Foundation's dual certified pediatric sleep consultant offer services to the US. Our sleep consultant has been working with families for over 30 years in various roles. She has a degree in Family Studies, is a certified postpartum doula, certified newborn care specialist, certified lactation counselor and board certified holistic health practitioner. Her years of experience with infants and toddlers brings a wealth of information and skills. Nurtured Foundation offers sleep consulting that is customized to meet each family's unique goals. We work with families that want a more traditional sleep method as well as families that want a gentle, intuitive method that works with their attachment style of parenting. To learn more click HERE.

How to Find a Sleep Consultant