20 Questions to ask a Baby Sleep Consultant Before Hiring Them
Hiring a baby sleep consultant is a significant decision for parents, as it can greatly impact your baby's sleep routine and your overall well-being. It can be a very intimate experience to invite someone either into your home, or just to enter that client/consultant relationship (more so than you’d probably imagine) which means you need to have a high level of trust and compatibility whenever you’re working that closely with someone!
To be honest, I turn away more clients than I take on simply because it isn’t a good fit, or we aren’t in alignment regarding philosophy, goals, expectations, etc. That’s very important to me— I could never do this job if I wasn’t extremely passionate about it. Which means it’s more than a job, more than a paycheck; it fulfills a sense of purpose in me and I won’t sacrifice that (or my job) by taking on a client that clearly needs a different sleep consultant!
If you’re contemplating hiring a sleep consultant, do their 15 minute interview! If you’re not sure what to ask..
20 questions to ask a baby sleep consultant:
What is your background and training in baby sleep consulting?
How long have you been working as a baby sleep consultant?
What sets you apart from other sleep consultants?
What is your philosophy or approach to infant sleep training?
Are you open to tailoring your approach to fit our family's values and preferences?
How do you assess a baby's sleep issues and needs?
Will you take into consideration our baby's age, temperament, and any special circumstances?
Will you create a personalized sleep plan for our baby?
How often will we communicate or meet to adjust the plan as needed?
What sleep training methods do you recommend or specialize in?
Are there alternative methods you can suggest if the initial approach isn't effective?
What might you suggest that we haven’t already tried?
What level of support can we expect from you during the sleep training process?
Are you available for emergencies or quick questions outside of our scheduled meetings?
What happens when our time/package is over?
What is a reasonable timeline for seeing improvement in our baby's sleep habits?
How do you define success in sleep training?
Do you stay up-to-date with the latest research and recommendations in pediatric sleep?
How do you handle disagreements or differences in parenting philosophies?
What is your preferred method of communication (phone, email, in-person) for ongoing support?
Remember to trust your instincts and choose a baby sleep consultant who aligns with your parenting values and makes you feel comfortable and confident in their abilities to help your baby sleep better.
Want to know my answers to the above questions? Set up a call here and I’ll be happy to chat about it!
