The Gentle Sleep Coach Program is the first and most extensive professional sleep coach training and certification program available. The program involves over 80 hours of training with a faculty panel that includes 2 medical doctors, a psychologist, an attorney, lactation counselor, postpartum doulas and a family therapist.
Each coach must pass an exam and participate in case mentorship with Kim West, LCSW-C (a.k.a. “the Sleep Lady”), who has been helping tired parents for over 20 years. Clinical mentorship and ongoing advanced training are required to maintain certification as a Gentle Sleep Coach.
Some of my training topics included:
- Basic counseling and child development
- Sleep science and behavioral modification techniques to help parents of children age 0 to 6 years old.
- Secure attachment theory
- Support for the breastfeeding mother
The training also consisted of lectures from top specialists, including:
- Postpartum Depression from Dr. Shoshana Bennett, author and leading specialist on Postpartum Depression
- Medical Conditions and Sleep Apnea in Children led by Dr. Lewis Kass, Director of Children’s Sleep Center
- GERD and Sleep led by Dr. Anthony Loizides, pediatric gastroenterologist
0–5 Month Specialist Training
Baby-Led Sleep Shaping and Coaching℠
For 0–5 Month Olds
I am certified in Baby-Led Sleep Shaping and Coaching℠ for 0–5 Month Olds. This training prepares coaches to support newborn sleep in a safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate way.
It builds on the Gentle Sleep Coach curriculum with newborn-specific education in feeding, attachment, soothing, and early development — always within safe-sleep guidelines.
Some of my training topics included:
- How feeding, attachment, soothing, and temperament all factor into your infant's sleep
- The key developmental milestones from birth through five months and how to encourage sleep at every stage.
- Safe co-sleeping guidelines
- Guidance on how to assess when the baby is ready for sleep coaching based on current research and evidence-based strategies
This specialty training is designed to give Gentle Sleep Coaches the knowledge, education and all the tools and resources they need to successfully work with families of newborns through 5 months of age in a safe, healthy and developmentally appropriate manner.
— The Sleep Lady® program
Ready to find a gentler way to sleep?
I bring this training, alongside my doula and Montessori background, into every sleep consultation. Let’s talk about what your family needs.