Sleep Consultant Certification Program

How do I become a Certified Sleep Consultant? 

Have you thought about becoming a baby sleep consultant, but have no idea where to get such training? I know, the information about sleep consultant certification and training is very limited, and difficult to find. Currently there only a handful of sleep consultant certification programs available. 

Through the years of sleep consulting, I have been asked by several of my clients to train them in what I do. I do have to admit that this is an amazing career, so I can definitely understand the interest. I get to help sleepless parents all over the world, while still being home with my two little girls, not missing a single thing. 

As a sleep consultant you get to give sleep deprived parents the gift of sleep. This is so amazing and rewarding. Not to mention all of the wonderful parents and families you get to meet along the way. Helping people all over the world, is such a great feeling. If you are passionate about sleep topics, parenting, or just helping other people, then you would be a great sleep consultant. I can teach you about babies and sleep, but the passion will have to come from within. If this sounds like this is something for you, then I am here to help you every step of the way. I will work hard to help, and even give all of my secrets. All I ask in return is that you work just as hard in becoming a great sleep consultant.

Course Outline: 
The Sleep, Baby, Sleep consultant training program is approved by the International Institute for Complementary Therapists. You will be learning about infant and toddler sleep, sleep troubles, client coaching, putting together sleep plans and anything else that you need to start and run a successful business. Within this program you will learn how to be a successful sleep consultant, how get clients, how to market yourself and your business. I will be sharing with you everything that I do as a sleep consultant, and giving you all my tricks of the trade.

Course Content:

Infant and toddler sleep topics as they relate to sleep consulting.
This content will be divided into age groups and we will be discussing the most important aspects of infant and toddler sleep as it relates to sleep consulting. Don't worry, I won't overwhelm you. Sleep topics are vast, so we will be focusing in on the information that you need to consult. 

The science of sleep
The science of sleep is very intricate. In this part of the program you will learn all about sleep cycles and stages, how sleep works, and how the science of sleep affects how a baby sleeps.

Common infant and toddler sleep problems.
You will learn about a variety of sleep problems and learn how to help clients. Bedtime struggles, frequent night wakings, early morning wakings, pacifier and sleep prop dependency, sleep regressions, short naps, how to handle crying and so much more.

Sleep training methods and techniques.
We will discuss different types of sleep training methods and techniques. What works, what doesn't. You will learn about gentle sleep methods, and how to handle tears. I will give you my tricks and secrets of how I have helped so many clients through the years. 

Bumps in the road
This content will discuss common road blocks and bumps you may come across and how to handle them. Some of which include teething, separation anxiety, illness, growth spurts and regressions in relation to developmental milestones. 

How to create sleep plans.
You will learn how to create a successful sleep plan. We will discuss the different sleep plan components, how to put them together, and how to create templates to be prepared ahead of time. 

Business Aspects.
This content will cover how to start your website, business cards, banners, ads, book keeping, insurance, liability, how to create client intake assessment forms and anything else that you need help with.

. . . And SO much more!

Requirements:
Successful completion of the course will be demonstrated by completing required reading, tests, videos, case studies and discussions. The course is designed to be taken at your own pace, so there will be no rush to get everything done at once. I know many of you are busy at home with your little ones, so I created this course to be self paced.

There will be a final exam at the end, that will require you to put together all of the information that you have learned throughout the course and create a sleep plan based on one of my current clients as well as daily responses to their questions. Don't worry, you will have plenty of time to prepare for this. 

Certificate of Completion:
A certificate of completion will be issued once all of the requirements are submitted and passed. If you are having trouble passing a requirement, we will work through this together to make sure that you are successful. You will be able to print your certificate as soon as it is issued. You will also be given a Sleep, Baby, Sleep certified logo for business use on your website to show your sleep consultant training and certification by Sleep, Baby, Sleep.  


Mentoring and Support:
Besides the wealth of information I will be giving you, I will be available to you every step of the way to guide and support you. I will make sure you are confident and ready to go out and be a great sleep consultant. I will work with you on your first clients for 6 months, or until you are ready to do it on your own. I will also help you set up your website, help you with sleep plan templates, and anything else that you may need.

Investment:
$1,600 or 3 monthly payments of $570. 
Payment deferment and other payment options available.

The cost of the Sleep, Baby, Sleep program is considerably lower than other sleep consultant certification programs simply because I try to keep the price affordable and fair. I have met some amazing clients over the years with a true passion for helping others and I don't want the price of tuition for sleep consultant training to be holding them back from becoming amazing sleep consultants. 

I also don't charge a yearly membership/certification fee like other programs do. So all you will have to ever pay for this course is the tuition. 

If interested in the Sleep Consultant Certification program please fill out the short application and I will be in contact with you so that we can discuss your journey into sleep consulting in detail.

                                               

          

                                

Teaching Baby to Self Soothe

Imagine putting your baby down to sleep awake and she just dozes off, completely on her own. You don't have to do any work. Just lay her down, and walk out of the room as your baby self soothes. She doesn't cry, whine, or get upset, just peacefully falls asleep. You would probably tell me that I'm nuts, and that this is impossible, right? I don't blame you. I didn't think teaching baby to self soothe was possible either. When I had my first baby I just nursed and rocked her into deep sleep every single night…for hours on end! I didn't even have a clue what baby self soothing was. Now both of my girls fall asleep by self soothing. I helped them learn to fall asleep on their own, and this is exactly what they do every night. No crying, no fighting. The best part of teaching my baby to self soothe, is that she is able to fall back asleep on her own in the middle of the night, when she wakes from a sleep cycle. Meaning no unnecessary nighttime wakings. 

Teaching baby to self soothe, or fall asleep on their own is an amazing accomplishment, that will solve most, if not all of your baby's sleep troubles. However, it is probably the hardest part of sleep training. One of the most common questions I get as a sleep consultant is "How do I teach my baby to self soothe?". This question can be tricky to answer because there are many different components to teaching your baby to sleep well. Age appropriate sleep schedules, knowing how to respond to wakings, which wakings are due to hunger vs comfort etc. You also have to be very consistent, pick a method that you are comfortable with, and have a really good step by step plan to follow so you are not confusing your baby. For those reasons, I have made sleep consultation packages available, in which I create a customized sleep plan for your baby based on your baby's individual situation and background. I also provide you with support to make sure that you are successful. View Sleep Packages Here-->

Teaching a baby to fall asleep on their own, is such a great feeling. Especially when you are finally able to lay your baby down without a struggle. You get to enjoy a happy bedtime routine together, give your baby kisses and cuddles, and she drifts off to sleep without a peep. I don't think there's any better feeling when you're a parent that has been struggling with getting your baby to fall asleep and stay asleep. So here are some of my best tips for helping your baby fall asleep on his or her own.

• Solid bedtime routine. Make sure you have a consistent bedtime routine for your baby. Same routine, same time each night. This is very important, and I can't stress it enough. You can't expect a baby to cooperate when her sleep schedule is all over the place, or the routine is always different. A consistent routine gives your baby predicability. When your baby knows what to expect, she is more likely to accept it.

• Move feeding or nursing. If you are feeding or nursing your baby to sleep, you are going to want to break that sleep association. So what you do is move the feeding to the beginning of your bedtime routine. This way your baby has the opportunity to fall asleep on her own and not in your arms. If your routine was jammies-book-feed. It should now be feed-jammies-book. 

• Put your baby down, "drowsy but awake". I know you have probably heard this a million times, but this is really a biggie. Laying your baby down awake is not easy and you will have to follow that up with some sleep training methods. Making sure your baby is drowsy but awake before you lay her down, is very important.  

• Pick a sleep training method and stick to it. It's always a good idea to have a plan to stick to and a method that you are comfortable with. This way you are not trying one thing, then another, and completely confusing your baby. Inconsistency can lead to many, many, tears. Being consistent and following through with your plan is the only way to be successful. 

• Buy a good sleep training program or guide. If you have tried different methods, and nothing is working, it may be a good idea to buy a program or guide to help you. Some parents need a step by step guide, and there is nothing wrong with that. Getting help from someone that knows what they are doing and is able to provide you with that step by step plan, is invaluable when it comes to teaching your baby to sleep well. If you would like more individual help based on your baby's unique situation, I offer Personalized Sleep Plans and support. Teaching a baby to self soothe and fall asleep on his or her own is one of my specialties!

• Stay with your baby. Some babies feel more at ease knowing Mommy or Daddy is right by their side. Since your baby needs to learn the skills to self soothe and fall sleep on her own, she may fall asleep easier, if you are by her side. Don't worry, once your baby gets better at falling asleep on her own, you won't have to stay with her at all. You will be able to lay her down after bedtime routine, and she will smile and drift off to sleep. 

• Don't give up! Many times parents see how difficult and overwhelming the first couple nights can be. They give up, and don't get to see that it gets easier. Each night is just a little bit better than the previous. As you progress, it gets better and better. By the end of the week your baby will most likely be falling asleep on her own in under 5 minutes. Even if it takes 2 weeks, that's a great accomplishment. Don't give up! Here are some stories from parents like yourself, that didn't think it was possible either, and now the entire family is sleeping well. 

Remember that you don't have to stop nursing, rocking, or cuddling when teaching baby to self soothe. In fact I encourage an abundance of that. You can incorporate nursing, rocking, or anything else your baby enjoys into your bedtime routine. 

If you need more advice, or a step by step plan of how to teach your baby to self soothe and fall asleep on his or her own, please take a look at my Baby Sleep Consultation Packages--> 

How to Get Baby to Sleep While Out: Traveling, Trips, and Vacation Tips

Wondering how to get your baby to sleep while out and away from home? I get this question a lot during springtime and early summer. Getting a baby to nap during outings, trips, and vacation can be nerve wrecking. With the warm weather and summer approaching everyone wants to know how to take their baby out without constantly worrying about their sleep. It's actually pretty simple, this dilemma can be solved in two easy steps. 

First, teach your baby independent sleep. A baby that is "sleep trained" and is able to fall asleep on their own, will be able to do it just about anywhere. It's one of the best parts of sleep training. Learn how to how to do that with your baby in this article about "Teaching Your Baby to Self Settle"

Second, bring something familiar from home that your baby associates with going to sleep. A favorite blanket, stuffed animal, some white noise on your iPhone. Anything that reminds your baby of sleep. Here's my little one, napping while out. She's cuddled next to my nursing cover with her dolly.

If you are vacationing away from home, bring a pack n play. I always recommend that a baby has their own sleep space even while away from home. If you don't bed share at home, there's no reason to start that habit while on vacation. And that goes for bedtime routine. If you don't nurse or rock your baby to sleep at home, don't start. Follow the same bedtime routine you have at home. It may take a little bit more effort to get your baby to sleep in a new environment, but the effort is worth it when compared to the work you will have to do to break a new habit that was formed while vacationing. 

Getting a baby to sleep while away from home does not have to be a headache and constant worry. Having your baby to fall asleep easily and peacefully while still enjoying yourself during the warm weather is just one of the benefits of teaching your baby independent sleep. If your not sure where to get started. I would be glad to help you with the whole process. Have you considered one of my Sleep Consultation Packages? 

How to Put a Baby to Sleep

Want to know the best way to put a baby to sleep? With so much conflicting information on the web, something so simple like laying a baby down to sleep, can turn into a fiasco. So I thought I would put together some of my best tips. Let's talk about how to put a baby to sleep considering safety, comfort, and of course ways to help your baby sleep through the night!

How to Put a Baby to Sleep

Swaddled. If your baby is young and not yet rolling, swaddling really helps keep that startle reflex under control. It also helps your baby feel warm and snug, kind of like she did in your belly. Some babies won't accept being swaddled at first, but give it a few tries before you call it quits. Also try some different types of swaddles and sacks. Not all are created the same. 

On His/Her Back. This is also important for babies that are young and not yet rolling. The SIDS campaign teaches the importance of safe sleep by recommending that you always place your baby on his or her back to sleep. Once your baby is able to roll by herself, she can sleep in any position she can get herself in, but until then, your baby should be put to sleep on her back. 

Awake. When clients ask me about how to put a baby to sleep, awake is the very first word that comes to mind. A baby that falls asleep by nursing, rocking, bouncing etc will expect that during the night and will wake frequently. The best way to put your baby to sleep, is by putting her down awake. This is just as important when your baby wakes during the night.

In the Dark. Sounds pretty self explanatory right? Not really, many parents still use night lights, and projectors that light up the ceiling hoping that this will help put a baby to sleep. Studies show that even the slightest amount of light can suppress melatonin, the hormone that helps your baby sleep. The room should be dark with no night lights, and anything that illuminates should be covered up. I even have the fire detector light covered with a piece of black tape!

With Noise. It's no surprise that babies are drawn to strange noises like the vacuum, blow dryer, fan and other crazy things. These noises mimic the sound your baby heard while in your belly. Take advantage of this soothing and familiar sound and play some of these noises while your baby sleeps. If you don't have a sound machine, there are many great smart phone and tablet apps.

With Love. Kisses, cuddles, and snuggling is the best part of our bedtime routine. A baby that has enough opportunity to spend time bonding with mommy or daddy will feel safe and secure to fall asleep on her own at bedtime and will sleep soundly through the night. Many times separation anxiety can be "cured" with a little extra loving!

Now that you know how to put a baby to sleep, you can spend less time stressing and googling this topic, and more time enjoying your little one!
Still having trouble getting your little one to sleep? Here's How an Email Consultation May Help!

No Cry Sleep Solution

Does it work?
I get this question often from parents that are looking for an alternative to the old cry it out technique. The No Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley has gained some popularity because of the gentle sleep training methods Pantley teaches in her book. But do these methods work? Well, the only way to find out is to read 250 pages and try these techniques on your baby. But who really has the time for that while caring for a baby? In effort to save you some time, I will outline the gist of this book and explain why it may or may not work.

The main focus of the no cry sleep solution is to teach your baby to fall asleep on his or her own, which is great. However, to achieve this, the book tells you to gently remove from your baby's routine whatever it is that your baby is dependent on. Pantley mainly focuses on the sucking to sleep association so this can be nursing, pacifier, or bottle. She basically says that you should give your baby the breast, bottle, or pacifier and gently slip it out as your baby is falling asleep. On the first night, your baby can be totally asleep before you take it out. As the nights go on, your baby should be more and more awake when you take it out, until your baby is falling asleep without the sleep association.

Pros: If your baby is really young (1-2 months), this may work because your baby hasn't yet become really dependent on these props.
Cons: In the end your baby is still most likely going to cry, so you are just prolonging the inevitable and will still have to follow up with some other methods.

In theory, the no cry sleep solution seems like a good plan, but in my experience as a sleep consultant most babies that have these strong sleep associations are really dependent on nursing, feeding, pacifier, or rocking to sleep. And when removing these sleep props, most babies will still end up crying just as much, if not more, because you are just prolonging the process. The best thing to do is to help eliminate these sleep props by helping your baby learn to fall asleep on her own, and addressing any crying immediately so there doesn't have to be many tears in the process. Weaning or gradually taking these sleep props away rarely works, at least not without many tears in the process. So how gentle is it, if your baby is still going to end up crying? After basically spending a week "teasing" your baby and slipping his sleep prop away from him, you are still going to have to use some other sleep training methods.

Hope this helps answer your questions about the no cry sleep solution. Every baby is different and responds differently to sleep training. If you are looking for sleep training help, based on your baby's unique situation here are some options.