Jul 12

Finding an Accredited Pediatric Sleep Consultant Program

Are you passionate about assisting exhausted parents and their little ones to get the rest they need? Do you think you’d enjoy turning your passion and sleep expertise into a fulfilling and well-paying job as a baby sleep consultant? To become a trusted consultant for families, the first step is to find the best certification program. In this guide, we will explore practical tips and strategies on selecting a high-quality baby sleep certification program that suits your requirements.

baby sleep consultant studying accredited certification course

Understanding Sleep Consultant Accreditation

Before we go into specifics regarding finding a baby sleep consulting certification program, let’s start by understanding what an "accredited" pediatric sleep consulting program is. There is no governing board or body for the baby sleep consulting industry. Therefore, it’s even more important to do your research and select a program that meets stringent standards despite the lack of requirements. There is no official “accreditation,” however, there are organizations which give their approval to programs that meet their requirements of a high-quality program. Finding an approved program guarantees prospective students that it is a credible institution with satisfactory educational standards in the field of child sleep consultancy.

Researching Accrediting Bodies for Sleep Consultant Certification Programs

When examining pediatric sleep consultant certification programs, make sure that you also take time to inquire about some of the organizations responsible for approving these programs. These can be organizations such as Association of Professional Sleep Consultants (APSC). They set standards for training that can help prospective students feel confident that they will receive a good education if they invest in a program.

If you choose a program approved by the APSC, like the Collective for Family Rest and Wellness, you can be certain that the program will meet or exceed these minimum standards set by the APSC:

A clear description of the certification program, who it is for and the certification approach.
A minimum of 80 hours of program training which includes a combination of 50 hours of instruction and 30 hours of self-study and application.
In addition to the 80 hours of program training, a minimum, of 50 hours of practicum hours working with clients that are measurable and assessed.
A minimum of 12 assignments tracking and assessing progress combined with a theoretical and practical application.
A final project assessing and tracking the 50 hour practicum hours that are measurable and assessed.
A minimum of five evaluations from clients with whom your students have worked.
A minimum of five students/Professional Sleep consultant’s testimonies who have successfully completed your program.
The following topics must be included and outlined in your program submission as well as in your manual: the science of sleep, the foundations of sleep, a clear description of your sleep technique, method, and/or approach, common challenges of sleep, breastfeeding, nutrition, environment, behavior, emotional, postpartum depression, sleep safety, clear distinction of medical vs non-medical consulting, protocol of when and how to refer out, standards and boundaries to scope of practice for sleep consulting, liability protocol, review and implementation of client intakes and sleep plans.• Procedures for continuing education and renewing certification must be clearly described and outlined.
A certification seal to distinguish a certified sleep professional must be available.

Reading Reviews and Testimonials

Prior to committing oneself to any baby sleep consultant certification program, take your time and go through reviews and testimonials from previous students or graduates. These will help you find out what was appreciated about the program, how well the curriculum functioned practically, the level of assistance that instructors offered as well as the general experience of a learner. By going through reviews and testimonials, you will acquire a lot of useful information regarding this program which will enable you to make an informed decision on whether it suits your needs or not.

planning baby sleep consultant training program

Evaluating Curriculum Content

In comparing baby sleeping counselor certification programs, always pay attention to what is taught in these courses because it varies from one institution to another. Courses should address many different topics related to baby sleep consultancy like sleep physiology, sleep disorders, techniques for training infants to sleep, parent education/support as well as business skills applicable during setting up a child’s naptime counseling practice. Selecting a comprehensive syllabus will equip you with knowledge on how best one can assist parents improve their children’s slumber patterns.

Want to see our full Course Outline? Click here!

Consider Program Flexibility

When choosing a certification course in baby sleep consulting, it is essential to select one that offers flexibility. This becomes critical if you have other commitments like work and childcare while studying. Find programs with courses that can be taken at an individual’s pace and do not “expire” after a certain amount of time. This means your investment will be protected and give you the best shot at following through and completing the program!

Sleep Consultant Program Instructor Qualifications

The qualifications of teachers who deliver baby sleep consultant certification programs also matter. Consider programs taught by experienced sleep consultants or other subject matter experts in infant sleep. Look for instructors who are actively involved in continuing professional development (CPD) and ongoing research in the field of sleep consultation as this shows they are committed to providing students with a current and evidence-based learning environment.

Program Costs

Lastly, it is vital to think about how much it would cost to attend a baby sleep consultant certification program vs. what one would get from the training. Though worth taking into account, one has also to remember that when spending on quality education, he/she will similarly be investing his/her future career as well as earning potential as a sleeping advisor. Choose programs with pricing transparency and flexible payment terms.

To sum up, finding a high-quality certification program for baby sleep consulting is important before you start working on building your new career. By researching accrediting bodies’ options, checking reviews on different courses available online, considering curricula contents, looking at flexibility of the program; checking instructor’s qualifications; and program costs among other factors mentioned above, you will be able to draw a clear picture which certification programs will fit you best. With proper education and training you will be well placed to assist families improve their child’s sleep hence creating a happier and healthier home for your future clients.

Want more information on becoming a pediatric sleep consultant? We spill all the details on our webinar about what it’s like to be a sleep consultant and go through our program! If you’d like to chat with one of our co-founders to see if the program is a good fit, click here to book a FREE 30-minute Discovery Call.