Sleep Certification For Doulas
Looking to boost your doula business? One GREAT way is to attain a sleep certification for doulas. This in-demand skill is being asked about by parents everywhere!
Although it may seem “too soon” to advise new parents, the postpartum process is the perfect time to help! A baby who is properly sleep-trained should sleep through the night (6-8 hours) by 6-8 weeks.
Here’s how getting a sleep certification can boost your business and make you more valuable to clients than ever before.
In This Article:
- What is a Sleep Certification For Doulas?
- What Type of Sleep Certification Should You Get?
- Can You Be a Sleep Specialist Without a Certification?
- Steps You’ll Take as a Sleep Consultant
- How to Get Your Sleep Certification For Doulas
What is a Sleep Certification For Doulas?
A sleep certification is confirmation that you have passed and achieved classes specific to infant sleep.
When clients see your baby sleep certification for doulas on your website and social media, they know you are qualified to help them with:
- Helping babies 8 weeks and up to sleep through the night
- Setting up a sleep plan
- Helping the family through the difficult time of sleep adjustment
- Giving emotional support and nutrition advice to new mothers
- Giving breastfeeding advice
- Knowing when to refer clients to a specialist (usually an MD)
What Type of Sleep Certification Should You Get?
When it comes to your infant sleep certification, doulas have two options:
- A sleep certification specifically for newborns (0-3 months)
- A sleep consultant certification (newborn-preschool)
The full sleep consultant certification will teach you all about infant, toddler, and preschool sleep training.
The newborn sleep specialist certification program covers more of the aspects that support the parent of a baby 0-3 months old.
Can You Be a Sleep Specialist Without a Certification?
I would strongly advise against giving new moms advice on their baby’s sleep unless you are certified. No matter how much experience you have with helping mothers through the postpartum process, sleep is its own issue. You need to know all the ins-and-outs of infant sleep training. Not only that but giving ill-suited advice can get you sued. Opting for a certification grounded in science and evidence/research is the key to a successful career as a sleep specialist.
Getting your baby sleep certificate not only gives you this information, it shows clients that they can trust you to do the right things for their family.
Steps You’ll Take as a Sleep Consultant
Taking care of a new baby can be overwhelming for parents. On top of getting to know their baby, changing diapers, and ensuring a safe home, many new moms struggle with a lack of sleep.
Although frequent (every 2-3 hours) wakings for feedings can be expected for the first 8 weeks, it’s never too early to teach parents how to help their baby sleep. The sooner Mom is rested and the household is harmonious, the better.
Here are steps you will take as an infant sleep consultant during the postpartum process:
Assess the Current Sleep Situation
This means not only the baby’s quality of sleep, but the family sleep situation. Ask questions, such as:
- How many hours does the baby sleep during naps?
- How many hours does the baby sleep at night?
- Is the baby always hungry when they wake up?
- Does the family put the baby down semi-awake to sleep, or does Mom rock, nurse, etc. the baby to sleep?
And:
- How is Mom’s sleep?
- Does Mom have help during the day?
- Is the household happy? Is lack of sleep affecting the family?
Create a Sleep Plan
Next, you will create a sleep plan for the family.
This should include how to put Baby down (semi-awake is the best way to sleep train), the setup of Baby’s room, whether to have a special blanket for the baby, and whether to add sleep aids such as blackout blinds and a pediatrician-approved white noise machine. You’ll also offer sleep-training methods based on science that have proven to be effective and not harmful to the baby.
If possible, parents should keep track of the baby’s sleep, whether they always eat when they awaken, and other considerations. They can then report back to you so you can give tips or corrections.
Provide Support to the Parents
Postpartum moms are tired moms! Don’t get me wrong, a new baby is a true joy. But those first few weeks can be rough as parents struggle with caring for baby, while getting the care they need, too.
During baby sleep certification, you will learn how to:
- Help new moms with setting up a good sleep environment, foundation of good sleep habits, and proper bedtime routine
- Help parents set up a prop sleep schedule for their infant
- Teach Mom to handle “the witching hour” when babies are crankiest
- Talk to the parents about infant sleep and what they can expect
- Give emotional support
- Advise parents on issues that can interfere with sleep
- Know when to refer a client out to a medical professional
How to Get Your Sleep Certification For Doulas
Ready to amp your business and get more clients than ever? We’ve created the perfect lesson plan for you! Our Newborn Sleep Specialist Program or Sleep Consultant Program is ideal to obtain a sleep certification for doulas. Enroll today and be the go-to sleep specialist for postpartum moms!
Newborn Moms Need You.
Apply to Our Program Today!
