Why You Want to Hire a Sleep Consultant—And How It Can Change Everything for Your Family

Written by Dr. Summer Hartman, HC, PSC Pediatric Sleep Consultant & Founder of The Newborn Sleep Company

There’s something incredibly humbling about becoming a parent. You prepare as much as possible—take the classes, read the books, set up the perfect nursery—and still, nothing quite prepares you for the way sleep deprivation slowly takes over your life. If you're reading this, chances are you've Googled things like “why won’t my baby sleep?” or “is it normal for my 5-month-old to wake every hour?” at 2:00 a.m., phone screen lighting up the dark room.

You’re exhausted. Mentally and physically. Maybe you’re even a little resentful (yes, it’s okay to admit that). You're doing everything you can, and yet your baby still isn't sleeping. That’s when many families reach out for help. And it’s not because you’re failing—it's because you're ready for a solution that actually works.

So let’s talk about what hiring a sleep consultant really means, why it’s not just for the desperate or the elite, and how this one decision can change the way you show up as a parent every single day.

First, What Does a Sleep Consultant Do?

Think of a sleep consultant as a personal trainer for your baby’s sleep—someone who walks beside you, provides a customized plan, and offers daily support while you implement the changes.

I help parents understand the why behind their baby’s sleep behaviors, teach them what’s developmentally appropriate, and guide them step-by-step through the process of sleep shaping or training—whatever’s appropriate for their child’s age and temperament.

I don’t just hand you a generic schedule or say “let them cry it out.” Sleep consulting is much more nuanced than that.

As a certified pediatric sleep consultant and newborn care specialist, I look at:

• Your baby’s temperament

• Feeding patterns

• Daily routines

• Sleep environment

• Family dynamics

• Parent goals and comfort levels

Then we co-create a strategy that works for your family—not someone else’s.

Why Families Choose to Hire a Sleep Consultant

Every family has their own reason, but here are the most common ones I hear:

• They’re overwhelmed by conflicting advice. One friend says to rock the baby to sleep forever. Another says to sleep train at 3 months. Your pediatrician says it’s fine. Your mom says you're spoiling the baby. It’s too much.

• They’ve tried everything and nothing has worked. Google, books, TikTok sleep tips, wake window calculators—you name it, they’ve done it. But results? Still elusive.

• They want to preserve their mental health. Sleep deprivation isn’t just inconvenient—it’s debilitating. It affects your mood, your patience, your relationship, and your physical health.

• They’re going back to work soon. Many parents reach out when their leave is ending, and they need to have some predictable rest before functioning in a professional role again.

• They’re exhausted and just want to feel like themselves again. I hear this all the time: “I just want to enjoy being a parent again, but I’m too tired to function.”

Sound familiar? Let’s bring this to life with a real-world example.

Case Study: Meet The Simmons Family

Baby: Nora, 5.5 months old
Parents: Claire (nurse practitioner) and Josh (IT professional)
Challenge: Frequent night wakings, short naps, feeding every 1–2 hours at night, both parents burnt out and returning to work

The Situation:

When Claire reached out, she was at her breaking point. Nora was waking 6 to 8 times per night, only napped while being held, and would scream if laid in her crib awake. Claire had started co-sleeping out of desperation, even though she didn’t feel comfortable with it long-term. Josh was sleeping in the guest room just to function at work, and they were both feeling disconnected.

Claire cried during our consultation. “I feel like I’m doing everything wrong. I love my daughter more than anything, but I’m starting to dread the nights. I just want to sleep. I want my husband back in our bed. I want to feel human again.”

What she needed wasn’t more information—she needed a clear plan and real-time support. She needed permission to ask for help. That’s exactly what we gave her.

The Sleep Plan:

Here’s what we focused on:

✅ Establishing a consistent nap and bedtime routine—this included feeding, massage, books, and white noise
✅ Adjusting wake windows—Nora was actually staying up too long between naps, which made her overtired
✅ Transitioning to independent sleep using a modified check-in method
✅ Reinforcing self-soothing with brief, timed intervals and lots of parental reassurance
✅ Night feed weaning based on weight and feeding goals, with their pediatrician’s approval
✅ Daily Voxer check-ins for coaching and reassurance throughout the process

The Results (in just 10 days):

• Nora went from 8+ night wakings to just 1 feeding by night 5

• She began putting herself to sleep in her crib within 10 minutes

• Daytime naps stretched to 60–90 minutes

• Claire and Josh were sleeping in the same room again by night 7

• Claire returned to work rested and confident, not riddled with guilt

Most importantly, the entire family was smiling again.

Why This Matters

When you’re not sleeping, it colors every part of your life. You’re less patient. You doubt yourself constantly. You’re quicker to argue with your partner. And you may even begin to feel anxious about the next bedtime before the sun has even gone down.

Sleep deprivation is one of the biggest stressors new parents face. And while it’s completely normal in the newborn phase, by 4 to 6 months, most babies are developmentally ready for longer stretches of sleep—and so are you.

You don’t need to suffer through it. You don’t need to feel like you're failing. And you definitely don’t need to go it alone.

Hiring a sleep consultant doesn’t mean you’re giving up. It means you’re investing in your well-being, your family, and your child’s long-term development.

What Sets The Newborn Sleep Company Apart

At The Newborn Sleep Company, we specialize in science-based, responsive sleep coaching. I’ve worked with hundreds of families just like yours—and I’ve walked this road as a mother and former foster parent myself.

What you get with us:

• Custom sleep plans tailored to your baby, not a “one-size-fits-all” program

• Daily support via text, voice message, or email—real human help when you need it most

• Education-first approach so you understand the process and feel empowered, not dependent

• Non-judgmental guidance whether you want gentle methods or a faster, structured routine

• Holistic coaching that includes feeding patterns, developmental stages, and family dynamics

I meet you where you are. We build a plan together. You always have the final say—and my job is to support, not shame.

Is Sleep Coaching Right for You?

Here’s a simple checklist. You might benefit from working with a sleep consultant if:

• You dread nighttime

• Your baby wakes more than 2–3 times per night at 5+ months

• Naps are 30 minutes or less

• You’re feeling anxious, defeated, or resentful

• Your relationships are suffering

• You’ve tried sleep advice from the internet but nothing’s worked

• You just want to feel like you again

If any of that resonates, it might be time to say yes to support.

Final Thoughts

There is no trophy for doing it all alone. Asking for help doesn’t mean you’ve failed your baby—it means you care deeply about giving them the best possible start. Sleep is not just a luxury. It’s foundational to your baby’s health, development, and your mental wellness as a parent.

If you’re ready to stop just surviving and start thriving, I would be honored to walk this journey with you.