Everything you need to know when you hire a sleep coach for your infant

How do you know if you need the services of an infant sleep coach?

Every parent has a different set of expectations. It's normal for babies to have trouble sleeping, particularly in the earlier months. However, if your baby is 6 months or older and is waking every two to three hours, isn't napping well, and the sleep struggle is affecting your ability to work, hiring an infant sleep coach could be an ideal solution. Consider how better sleep could benefit you and your family if you are tired, overwhelmed, or upset with your sleep situation. The sleep specialist will assist you if your life is becoming stressful due to a lack of sleep and routine.

When is the best time to hire an infant sleep coach?

You'll probably have a decent idea whether sleep is going well or not by the 6-month mark, but you might start working with an infant sleep coach much sooner. Working with a sleep specialist may begin at any age, but the sooner you begin, the easier it will be. Some parents, particularly those expecting their second child, will seek advice from a sleep specialist prior to the birth of their child to ensure that they are adequately prepared.

Keep in mind that if you're consulting with a sleep therapist who recommends crying-it-out, you shouldn't start until your child is 12 weeks old. It's not too early or too late if you're having trouble sleeping for the first month. You should start working on routines and sleep when your baby is two weeks old and has gained enough weight.

What steps do you take to find the best sleep consultant for your family?

There are several factors to consider when selecting a sleep specialist. Some programs are online with a phone component, while others are more hands-on and tailored to you and your baby. Consider how long the service will last and whether it provides unrestricted follow-ups and correspondence as you compare rates. For some parents, this may be critical, while for others, the sleep issue may seem to be a simpler problem to solve.

Some infant sleep coach provide 15-minute or hour-long consultations. If you just have a list of questions and don't need a completely personalized solution, these may be a good place to start.

Wrapping Up

You should ask a lot of questions to get a clear understanding of the consultant's approach. If they're a full cry-it-out scheme, and that doesn't suit your parenting style, they're probably not the best fit for you. Depending on your parenting style and where you fall on the sleep continuum, different methods work best for different families.