The Growing Trend of Infant Sleep Coaches: A Guide for New Parents
- napsandsleep
- Sep 20
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 8
For many new parents and caregivers, sleep coaches are helping overcome the problem of sleepless nights caused by the child waking up frequently.
Does bedtime feel like a battlefield with your little one? When your baby finally drifts off, one wrong move can wake them up again. The sleepless days and nights can quickly add up, especially for working parents. Many have relied on traditional wisdom, books, and videos, but now, more are turning to sleep coaches.
In a conversation with Happiest Health, Bangalore-based techie Gowtham M shared his struggle with getting his son to sleep when he was just 10 months old. “My wife was dealing with postpartum depression, and the lack of sleep was taking a toll. She could only catch an hour and a half of sleep in the morning while I took our son for a stroll,” he recalled. The situation forced her to extend her maternity leave as they grappled with their child’s sleep issues.
As things worsened, Gowtham consulted pediatricians, who reassured him that erratic sleep patterns are normal for infants until they reach two years old. While browsing social media, he stumbled upon the concept of sleep coaching for infants. However, most sleep coaches were based in Western countries. Eventually, he found Prithi, a certified baby sleep coach right in Bangalore.
Understanding Sleep Coaching
Each child's needs vary based on their age-specific sleep and wake windows. Prithi, the founder of Naps & Sleep in Bangalore, explains, “The first step is to understand how their body signals sleep and wakefulness. For example, a one-year-old typically needs their first nap about three and a half hours after waking up.”
In India, many parents co-sleep with their infants or toddlers. Prithi emphasizes the importance of breaking strong sleep associations, such as feeding or rocking to sleep, which can lead to frequent night awakenings. Instead, parents can gradually transition to gentler methods like patting, shushing, or simply staying with the child. With consistent practice, babies can learn to fall asleep in their own space, reducing those nightly interruptions. Additionally, learning to assess hunger cues and disturbances can significantly improve sleep quality.
Gowtham shares, “Prithi didn’t use medication. She had an activity-based approach that helped our baby sleep with minimal intervention. We first underwent a screening to rule out any medical issues. Then, she suggested activities based on our son’s routine. Within days, we noticed improvements—his wake-up times decreased from eight to six, and then even lower.” However, it’s important to note that not all techniques will work for every child.
Who Seeks Sleep Coaching?
Many parents are now reaching out to sleep coaches for guidance. Sessions can range from ₹2,000 for an hour of training to ₹15,000 per month, with ongoing support provided. Mumbai-based certified baby and toddler sleep consultant Amrita Saraf reports receiving 25 to 35 inquiries monthly from parents worldwide. She notes, “We hear from both working parents and homemakers. About 75 percent of these inquiries come from Bangalore.”
Amrita adds, “The sleep challenges faced by newborns or infants differ significantly from those of preschoolers or toddlers. Parents are increasingly seeking holistic and structured solutions to help their babies sleep better and wake less at night.”
The Distrust in Traditional Methods
Awareness about infant sleep is quite limited in our country, according to Amrita, the founder of Momuninterrupted. She emphasizes that sleep is crucial for children, impacting everything from immunity to brain development. There are various strategies to ensure children get the rest they need.
“When my daughter was four months old, we struggled to get her to sleep. The pediatrician dismissed her hours of crying as colic and prescribed medication, but I sensed something was off. So, I delved deeper into sleep issues in children. Soon, I became the go-to person for sleep queries in various mom groups on WhatsApp,” she shared. She advises against traditional cry-it-out methods, advocating for educating parents about sleep practices and nutrition to ensure their babies get enough rest. She conducts both one-on-one and group sessions.
Breaking Sleep Associations for Better Rest
Research indicates that mothers who co-sleep with their children often face bedtime challenges. Prithi believes that even co-sleeping mothers can enjoy quality rest. “Babies may become accustomed to falling asleep through strong associations, like being rocked or always having a bottle. These patterns can lead to frequent night wakings. If a child wakes up repeatedly to feed, it’s often not genuine hunger but rather a learned behavior,” she explains.
Circadian rhythm disruptions, or day-night confusion, can also contribute to sleep struggles. Supporting earlier bedtimes and consistent wake-up times can help reset this cycle and improve a baby's sleep, says Prithi, who has been assisting parents for five years.
Reflecting on his experience, Gowtham mentions, “It started with a two-hour consultation. We received a list of activities tailored to our son’s routine. The sleep coach suggested delaying his nap by a fixed duration. After waking, he would play, and we fed him just before sleep, which helped reduce his nighttime awakenings.” Prithi adds, “Even children with cerebral palsy and autism can face sleep issues. In such cases, we collaborate with medical experts to provide the best support.”
The Benefits of Sleep Coaching
Sleep coaching offers numerous advantages for both parents and children. Here are some key benefits:
Improved Sleep Quality
One of the primary goals of sleep coaching is to enhance the quality of sleep for both the child and the parents. By implementing tailored strategies, families can experience longer, uninterrupted sleep.
Reduced Night Wakings
With the right techniques, parents can help their children reduce the frequency of night wakings. This leads to a more restful night for everyone involved.
Holistic Approach
Sleep coaches provide a holistic approach that considers the child's unique needs. This personalized strategy often results in more effective sleep solutions.
Empowerment for Parents
Parents gain valuable knowledge and tools to address their child's sleep challenges. This empowerment fosters confidence in their parenting abilities.
Supportive Community
Engaging with a sleep coach often connects parents with a supportive community. Sharing experiences and tips can be reassuring during challenging times.
Long-Term Solutions
Unlike temporary fixes, sleep coaching focuses on long-term solutions that promote healthy sleep habits. This foundation can benefit children as they grow.
Takeaway
Many new parents are turning to sleep coaches to help reduce wake-up times, ensuring better sleep for both their baby and themselves.
Sleep coaching ranges from a single two-hour session to a monthly program, offering holistic and structured options for sleep training.
Instead of relying on traditional cry-it-out methods or medication, sleep coaches provide parents with tailored activities and food choices based on their child’s routine.
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A few posts that might give you more insight into the work of a Sleep Coach for your baby, infant, or toddler:
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