Sneak peek: If your baby or child is struggling with sleep, it’s good to know that certified pediatric sleep consultants can often help. Before you hire a sleep consultant, however, it’s important to understand the field and what to look for in a professional.
For my babies, sleep never came easily. Even beyond the newborn days, they often struggled to doze off and stay asleep for longer than 45 minutes at a time…day and night. This took a harsh toll on my mental health. Lack of sleep, combined with the hormonal changes of the postpartum season, left me feeling anxious and near tears much of the time.
I felt shame in asking for help from a sleep consultant, but I eventually did with my second baby. It wasn’t a “magic bullet,” but having someone to talk to about these sleep struggles and reassure me that I could help my baby sleep better gave me a light at the end of the tunnel.
Based on that experience, I love sharing sleep resources with parents. This post is provided by Violet Giannone, RN, a registered nurse, certified sleep consultant, and founder of Sleep, Baby Sleep. I appreciate her science-backed approach to sleep consulting and wanted to share her insights with you. [This post is sponsored by Sleep, Baby Sleep]
If you’re surviving on caffeine and crossed fingers, wondering why your baby still isn’t sleeping through the night, you’re far from alone.
According to a study in Pediatrics, 25% to 50% of children over six months old experience persistent sleep problems.¹ For parents, that often means prolonged sleep deprivation, increased stress, and rising concern about how to get their baby (and themselves) the rest they need.
It’s no surprise then that more and more families are turning to sleep consultants. But before you invest in help, there are a few important things to know—because not all consultants are created equal, and the field isn’t regulated.
Let’s break down the research-backed facts so you can make the most informed decision possible.
Sleep Consulting Isn’t a Regulated Field
Unlike pediatricians, therapists, or lactation consultants, “sleep consultant” isn’t a legally protected title. That means anyone can market themselves as a sleep expert, even without formal training.
A 2020 survey found that 42% of self-identified sleep consultants had no formal education in child development or pediatric sleep science.² That lack of regulation can leave families vulnerable to misinformation or one-size-fits-all sleep methods that may do more harm than good.
✔️ What to look for: Choose consultants certified through a rigorous, evidence-based program that includes pediatric sleep science, child development, feeding, and safety. IPSP-certified consultants, for example, complete over 250+ hours of training with input from pediatricians, feeding specialists, and child psychologists. Many parents and professionals consider the Institute of Pediatric Sleep and Parenting to be among the best sleep consultant certification programs available today.
Not All Methods Are Backed by Science
The most effective sleep strategies are developmentally appropriate, gentle, and rooted in research. In fact, a randomized controlled trial published in Sleep found that **graduated sleep techniques improved infant sleep patterns without causing long-term emotional or behavioral issues.**³
But here’s the catch: not every consultant uses methods that are flexible or evidence-based. Some strictly adhere to outdated or rigid sleep training models.
✔️ What science supports:
- Gradual, responsive techniques (e.g. the “camping out” method)
- Individualized sleep plans based on age, feeding, and temperament
- Honoring attachment while improving sleep routines
A 2012 longitudinal study tracked children whose families used behavioral sleep interventions and found **no adverse effects on emotional health, parent-child attachment, or stress regulation at age 6.**⁴
When choosing a sleep consultant, training in an evidence-based, well-rounded program—like those offering the best sleep consultant certification—can make all the difference.
Sleep Is Interconnected With Feeding, Development & Mental Health
Sleep issues are rarely isolated. They’re often tied to other factors like feeding challenges, reflux, sensory processing, or even maternal mental health.
For example, up to 30% of babies with persistent night wakings also have underlying feeding difficulties,⁵ and nearly 70% of infants with colic experience disrupted sleep.⁶
Even more significantly, maternal depression is strongly linked to infant sleep difficulties. A study in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that mothers with postpartum depression were more likely to report sleep problems in their infants, and vice versa.⁷
✔️ This means a good sleep consultant doesn’t just create a nap schedule—they look at the whole child and the whole family.
That’s why Institute of Pediatric Sleep and Parenting (IPSP)-trained consultants study not just sleep science, but also:
- Infant feeding (including breastfeeding and bottle feeding dynamics)
- Sensory profiles and neurodevelopment
- Infant reflux and gastrointestinal issues
- Postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs)
Parental Support Is Critical to Sleep Success
It’s not just about what the sleep plan says—it’s about how it’s delivered. Parents need encouragement, validation, and real-time troubleshooting.
In fact, a 2023 review in Frontiers in Psychiatry emphasized that parental self-efficacy is one of the most important predictors of successful sleep outcomes.⁸ When parents feel confident and supported, they’re more likely to follow through with a plan—and see results.
✔️ Look for consultants who:
- Offer ongoing follow-up (not just a one-time PDF)
- Check in emotionally, not just logistically
- Adjust the plan as your baby grows or hits regressions
At IPSP, we train consultants to lead with empathy first—because sleep coaching isn’t just about babies. It’s about building trust with parents during one of the most vulnerable seasons of life.
Results Are Real—When the Training Is Solid
The good news? When sleep consulting is done right, it works.
In a review of 52 sleep intervention studies, researchers found that behavioral sleep interventions improved infant sleep duration by an average of 1.5 hours per night, and cut parental depression rates by 33%.⁹ But again, results depend on the quality of the support. It’s not about fancy branding or Instagram followers—it’s about real education, real mentorship, and real-world experience.
So… Where Did Your Sleep Consultant Train?
If you’re hiring someone to help your baby sleep, their education matters.
At the Institute of Pediatric Sleep and Parenting (IPSP), our consultants are trained in evidence-based pediatric sleep strategies, early child development, and feeding science—with additional education in postpartum mental health, SIDS prevention, and sensory processing.
We don’t believe in cookie-cutter sleep plans. Our graduates are trained to look at the big picture and tailor support for each family, with compassion and clinical integrity.
So if you’re hiring a consultant, look for someone IPSP-certified—or if this work calls to your heart, know that IPSP is where the most trusted consultants begin.
Final Takeaway
The right sleep consultant can change everything—but only if they’re backed by science, trained with empathy, and focused on the whole child.
Ask the deeper questions. Look beyond social media. And trust your instincts when choosing someone to walk beside your family.
And maybe, just maybe—if this whole world of sleep support has lit something inside you—you’re not just looking for help. You’re discovering your next calling.
About the Author
Violet Giannone, RN, is a registered nurse, certified sleep consultant, and the founder of Sleep, Baby, Sleep®, a sleep consulting company she launched in 2013. With over a decade of experience supporting families, in 2014 Violet went on to create the Institute of Pediatric Sleep and Parenting (IPSP), one of the most trusted and comprehensive sleep consultant certification programs in the industry. To date, IPSP has trained over 1,600 students worldwide.
References
- Mindell et al., Pediatrics, 2006.
- Sleep Consulting Industry Survey, SleepSense 2020.
- Gradisar et al., Sleep, 2016.
- Price et al., Pediatrics, 2012.
- Messayke S, et al. Maternal and Child Nutrition. 2021.
- Savino et al., Acta Pædiatrica, 2005.
- Dennis & Ross, Birth, 2005.
- Storey, A., 2023. Unpublished manuscript.
- Meltzer & Mindell, Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 2014.
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