Fancy a sneak peek into a day in the life of a sleep consultant? From helping families overcome sleepless nights to crafting personalised sleep plans, each day brings new opportunities for sleep consultants to create healthier sleep habits for little ones and their parents. Let’s dive into a typical day in the life of a sleep consultant and see how this role makes such a huge impact.
Trigger warning: Please be aware that this blog mentions suicide ideation.
Table of Contents
A Day in the Life of a Sleep Consultant: What Does a Sleep Consultant Actually Do?
1. Works with Families to Improve Sleep
First and foremost, a sleep consultant works with families to improve their children’s sleep. This can be online or in-person, short-term or for a longer period, 1:1 or one to many – the choice is yours! Whichever way sleep consultants decide to operate, understanding the sleep challenges that a family is facing and presenting solutions that will work for them is a large part of the job.
2. Supports and Guides Parents
In addition to advising on sleep, one of the most rewarding parts of the role is to support parents when they are feeling vulnerable, exhausted and ‘at rock bottom’ – often struggling with their mental health too. In fact, according to the Suicide and Maternal Mortality report in the National Library of Medicine, suicide is the leading cause of death for women in the perinatal period (pregnancy and up to one year after birth) – and sleep deprivation is often to blame.
“Getting help from a sleep consultant saved my life. I can function so much better now, and I’m no longer ashamed to ask for help when I need it.” Rose*, mum to Tom*.
Click here to read the article ‘Sleep deprivation led these new mums to suicidal thoughts – this is what saved their lives’
3. Runs a Successful Business
The final part of a day in the life as a sleep consultant is running a business – after all, you could be the best sleep consultant in the world, but if no-one knows about you then you won’t get any clients! Running a business can involve:
- Admin – responding to enquiries, record keeping
- Marketing – getting the word out there via a range of methods, including social media, in person events, blogging and partnering with local childcare businesses (see the blog post ‘5 ways to easily get clients as a sleep consultant‘ for more ideas!)
- Selling your services – in a way that aligns with your ideal client – no pushy sales tactics needed!
Join us below to see how a day in the life of a sleep consultant looks in reality!
Let’s Look at a Day in the Life of a Sleep Consultant
Thanks to Gemma from The Sleepy Sunflower for sharing her ‘day in the life of a sleep consultant’ with us!
Morning: Client Planning
My alarm goes off at 6.30am and the day starts with a coffee (a must for many sleep consultants juggling their own schedules!). Usually the dog has a crazy half hour at this time too.
My husband does the school run so I can start working at 8am. After a quick review of the day’s tasks, I complete some admin and check on my clients’ overnight sleep logs.
Then I sit down to a discovery call with a potential new client. This 30-minute phone call is the first step in understanding a family’s needs, whether it’s dealing with sleep regressions, creating a solid sleep schedule, or helping an older child adjust to their own room. I firstly work out if I can help them, then talk them through what my support looks like and, if they are ready to go ahead in working with me, book them into my diary to start.
A quick dog walk next to get some fresh air – one thing I love about working for myself is that I can set my schedule according to when I work best and around my family’s needs – including the dog!
Next, it’s time to prepare a tailored sleep plan for a new client. This involves considering everything from wake windows and nap timings to the family’s lifestyle and specific challenges. Whether it’s a screaming baby struggling with self-settling or a toddler resisting bedtime, every plan I make is designed to foster great sleep habits that last.
Midday: Me Time
I have a quick lunch and then go to the gym. I go for an hour 2 or 3 days a week and juggle my day around it if needed – it’s really important to me that I can do this.
Afternoon: Client Connections
Early afternoon is for catch up phone calls and virtual consultations. For first-time parents, these conversations can be life-changing. One family might be navigating the sleepless nights of the newborn days, while another is working to establish healthier sleep habits for their toddler.
A common topic during these sessions is the importance of a consistent routine. While a strict routine doesn’t work for everyone, gentle methods like adjusting wake times and creating a calming bedtime environment often make all the difference. For parents dealing with sleep deprivation, these small changes can feel like a life saver.
Finally I do some social media updates before the school run. Sharing success stories and sleep tips online is one of the best ways for me to connect with new families and highlight the amazing things sleep training can achieve.
At 3pm, I’m done working for the day! For me and many other sleep consultants, the flexibility to set your own hours is one of the best things about the job. Whether you’re working from a home office or just your kitchen table, having control over your own schedule allows for a balance between work and family life.
Evening: Family Time
We always have an early tea as my son has a sports club of some kind every night! Sometimes I take him, and other times my husband does while I have time for myself.
8pm – time to chill and binge watch some Netflix! No burnt out mumma in sight!
I hope you have enjoyed my ‘A Day in the Life of a Sleep Consultant blog’
Why Being a Sleep Consultant is the Best Job
Being a certified sleep consultant is more than just a career—it’s about changing lives. From helping families conquer sleep problems to giving parents the tools they need to raise great sleepers, the role is deeply fulfilling. Families often describe hiring a sleep consultant as the best parenting decision they’ve ever made.
Whether it’s assisting with a new baby’s sleep or supporting older kids as they transition to their own bed, sleep consultants play a pivotal role in restoring balance to family dynamics. A Day in the Life of a Sleep Consultant is dynamic, impactful, and incredibly rewarding.
Every single day is a chance to help new parents overcome challenges, achieve their sleep goals, and enjoy the great things that come with a well-rested family.
The financial freedom and flexibility that come with running your own business are just added bonuses!
Your Next Steps
Contact us at The Parenting Experts Academy if you’ve enjoyed reading about Gemma’s ‘day in the life of a sleep consultant’ and you’d like to explore your training options further.
We can talk about the role, the hours and the earning potential (you can also read out blog post ‘How Much Income can Sleep Consultants Earn) and work out if it’s the right step for you to take.
