How did I become a Sleep Consultant?

I became a Sleep consultant last year and I’ve loved the journey that I have already been on since then. Having worked in the NHS for almost 10 years, embarking on life as a small business, let alone understanding how to set a business up, has been a learning curve!

So why did I become a sleep consultant and how did I gain my qualification?

What training have I received?

I completed my Sleep Practitioner programme with the London School of Childhood studies. This was a 6 month long course and taught by highly skilled and knowledgeable sleep coaches. I learnt so much with my time on the course, but actually a lot of my learning came after the course too.

The course consisted of multiple modules covering every aspect of sleep training. I learnt about sleep and prematurity, sleep and ADHD and other neurodivergences. Such a breadth of knowledge yet so much more that I can delve into now the course has finished. I supplemented my course learning with learning from books and other well-known sleep professionals.  

Why did I become a sleep expert?

I have always found sleep to be a fascinating subject. It is something that we all need but something that a lot of us don’t do well at. There are so many influences on sleep and a lot of it is down to our environment and nurturing.

I suffered as a child from night terrors and a very vivid imagination. I was always quite fearful of bedtime and felt so far away from my parents when in my room, even though they were just next door or downstairs. Even in adulthood, I do occasionally have night terrors or the odd bit of sleep talking. Something my partner has had to get used to! It is often related to my level of stress and this is something that influences our sleep so much, whether we are a small baby or an adult.

How many background has supplemented my business as a Sleep Consultant

As a Paediatric Nurse, I am used to analysing and working out what could be wrong. This level of investigating and evaluating has lended itself well to my job as a sleep consultant. I ask all my clients to send me a sleep diary and to complete a questionnaire. This then paints a good picture of what sleep is like for this little one and I am able to pick it apart to work out what needs changing.
I have a great level of knowledge of general paediatrics such as feeding, reflux, and managing an unwell child. I utilise this in my sleep consultations and can offer parents support in other avenues of their child’s life, giving a holistic approach to my practice.

Why do I enjoy being a Sleep Consultant?

I have been loving developing my small business over the last year. It is almost it’s 1st birthday! Working on my own terms is definitely a part of this job that I love. Putting in the hours where it fits into my life is great. I’m fortunate enough to have a supportive partner who is my cheerleader along the way. It can be a lonely world both working for yourself and also online, so having people supporting me is so needed.

I love supporting families and helping to make a difference. This is in essence why I have loved my career as a nurse too. Getting to know parents and support them on their journey through parenthood is a real privilege.
And of course, I love seeing positive results! All my clients I have worked with so far have had positive results. Often going from waking hourly overnight to just 1 or no wakes at all! It spurs me on to help more parents when I get lovely feedback.

I am keen to make my services as accessible and affordable as possible. I have just this month launched my first E-course ‘Establishing Healthy Sleep Habits’. A short course of videos covering varying topics, all for just £9.99. I hope this becomes successful and people get a lot out of this course. I would love to do more and keep adding to my offerings over the coming years.