The birth of a child is one of the most joyous occasions in the life of a couple. However, this comes with many responsibilities. Rearing a child poses many problems and concerns, especially if you are a first-time parent. From feeding the baby, changing nappies, and shushing a crying baby, there is a lot that parents need to go through to bring up the little ones. One thing among these that concerns parents most is getting a baby to sleep well. Many a time, newborns, infants, and toddlers end up with sleepless night, which in turn trouble the parents who have to forego their sleep to calm the little one down.  Some babies also experience interrupted bedtime patterns, which too can be taxing on couples and other people who take care of the baby. A sleep coach for babies is someone who comes to your aid in such instances. Here is why you need to hire one, and how such a professional can help you and your little one.

Who is a sleep coach?

A sleep consultant or coach is a trained professional who offers help when your baby has issues with his/her sleep. Such a person could be a nurse, a nanny, or someone with babysitting experience, but above all, he/she is certified in sleep coaching. The coach helps develop a sleep plan for your baby after taking into consideration the current routine and lifestyle. Changes suggested usually involve alterations to feeding schedules, nap sessions, and bedtime routine.

Why you need to hire a sleep coach for your baby

A sleep coach can enter the picture in multiple instances. Most parents today are educated, and well-read on issues concerning their babies. Moms of newborn turn to their parents for advice on a possible solution to the issues concerning their long-awake or crying baby. In spite of all these, if you are unable to get your baby to sleep, hiring a coach is recommended. Another instance is when you have more than one baby to take care of. Your older child could be a toddler, and the younger one, just a couple of months old. Putting both of them to sleep together could be a Herculean task. The toddler, who has been shifted to an individual bed, needs to adjust to his/her new surroundings, and get accustomed to newly developing fears, like that of the dark. The infant, on the other hand, needs to be tended to every few hours, and fed regularly too. For moms who are expecting, with another toddler to take care of, the challenge is no different.

A sleep coach for your baby can help you with the challenges you face. A good consultant is able to assess your lifestyle, and the baby’s routine in order to understand what the issue is. Sleeplessness could sometimes be a result of an underlying disease or health condition that prevents your baby from having a good bedtime. A coach is able to identify this, and get your baby examined by a doctor to rule out any such conditions before putting a sleep plan into place. Unlike most advice that is available over the web, the plan laid out by the consultant isn’t ‘one size fits all’. It is customized to suit your baby’s needs and behavior, so that you are able to see the difference in the shortest possible time.

The role of a sleep coach doesn’t end with delivering a plan. He/she is available on call for a few weeks, months, or even a year to assess how the plan is progressing, and to respond to your queries that crop up from time to time. Most coaches are accessible through multiple communication means – emails, call, chats, text support, and so on. The role of many consultants also extends beyond just sleep coaching. They offer parenting tips and guides, such as toilet training, or putting your child to sleep during an illness or travel, and so on. Many parents find this extremely helpful.

So, if you are troubled by a sleepless baby or an infant who stays awake and active all through the night, the solution could well be in hiring a sleep coach.