Why I love in home sleep consultations

I started my sleep consulting business during the pandemic and so initially my business was fully virtual. However, as things began to open back up, families started asking me to come to their homes, and I added in home sleep consulting to my services.

It wasn’t long before this became my favorite way to work with families for a few reasons.

I think the first reason why I love this service is that I genuinely enjoy meeting local families. I have yet to meet a family I don’t love. The kids and babies have always been so sweet, and I am always blown away by how involved and supportive partners are. We are exposed to so many horrible and dividing news stories in media outlets, but when I go into peoples homes and see how invested these parents are in their children’s well being, honestly I always think that there is more good than bad. I also have a long history of loving babies and children (and dogs if we are being honest), so even though the reason I am coming over isn’t exactly a joyful one, I do enjoy getting to meet my clients.

Besides MY personal enjoyment, here are some of the benefits a family receives from an in home consultation:

1. The success rate is higher.

This is likely because of a few correlated factors, not because the child is particularly better at sleep. The first is that the parents are more invested. They have spent more money, they have asked for more of my time, and the mental preparation is there. I am there to hold them accountable on the hardest night and I am able to notice several important factors right away instead of discovering it along the sleep training process (more on this later).

2. I get an idea of the personalities I am working with.

The child’s personality, as well as the parents. This helps me explain things to parents in a way that hits home for them, AND I can verify if the child is more sensitive, spirited, or easy going. I can usually tell right away how the night is going to roll by meeting the family.

3. I am able to catch the most subtle things about a room environment (ex. my definition of black out, may not be your definition. a sound machine that is too low or loud, an uncomfortable sleep mattress)

Often in my sleep programs I ask families to send me videos of their bedtime routine to see why progress is not advancing. In my in home program, we start off on the right foot. I point out drowsiness or necessary changes in environment. The parents know exactly what I am expecting from night one.

4. For older kids, takes the pressure off the parents “coach Steph said…” Kind of like when you tell them the doctor indicated something, or you need to wear a seatbelt or you get in trouble with the police.

I love my toddlers and kiddos who refer to me as “coach Steph” or their “sleep doctor”. I send them videos of encouragement as we progress, and they are much more committed to following their sleep plan! I also make it fun for them when I come over and if I do so say myself, kids and dogs have always loved me as much as I love them 🙂

Finally, a major reason I love doing in home consultations is because they remind me of what the early days are really like and keep me grounded in my work (spit up mid routine, another shower needed, baby won’t eat, hard to keep awake etc.)

My kids are now almost 4 and 6 years old, we are in a whole different lane these days with completely different problems. It is really important to me that families keep welcoming me into their home so that I don’t ever forget all the little nuances of having small children and babies. Not only with this keep me empathetic, but it will also continue to remind me what my clients are up against.

The process of an In Home program is pretty simple. We have the consultation beforehand virtually so that parents can find a distraction free time to review their plan and make a few decisions together. On the night of the In Home, I come over for the bedtime routine and stay until the child falls asleep. Once asleep I stay a little longer to review any additional questions and then I head home and leave the parents ready to tackle the night. At the moment I do not stay overnight since I myself really value my sleep. Maybe in the future once a month but knowing the scientific importance of sleep makes me really unwilling to give up my own ha!

If you are interested in learning more about my in home program I invite you to schedule a complimentary call here.

Sweet Dreams!

Steph