Sleep consultants can give sleep advice to parents or individuals who are having difficulty with their sleep, but the question remains as to whether sleep consultants are a scam. To answer this question, let’s start by looking at the training and background of a sleep consultant. Generally, sleep consultants have a background in psychology or child care. They may also have experience in sleep psychology, insomnia, Early Childhood Education or infant care. Most have attended a course or two in infant/child sleep habits (such as the Calm and Connected Parenting Sleep Mentorship Program). They also have solid knowledge of child and infant sleep cycles and safety guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. In addition, they often have additional certifications and education in areas such as pediatric nutrition, behavior management, and stress management. Overall, there is no way to guarantee that every single sleep consultant is not a scam. However, there are certain steps that you can take to protect yourself when looking for a professional who can help you with your sleep woes.
First of all, you should always make sure to research any sleep consultant you are interested in hiring. Ask questions about his or her background, experience, qualifications, and training. Check out online reviews and make sure to ask friends and family if they have had any positive or negative experiences with any particular consultant. Secondly, you should consider meeting with a few different sleep consultants before making a final decision. This will help you narrow down who is the best fit for you and your family, and can give you a chance to interview each potential consultant as well as ask questions about their approach to sleep. Thirdly, be sure to research the particular program or course that each consultant has taken. Make sure they have the proper qualifications and experience in the particular area that they are offering advice, and verify their certifications from a reputable source. Finally, ask to have a free trial period of one to two weeks to get an idea of how each consultant works.