Santa Barbara Gentle Sleep Coaching

A Family-Centered Approach to Infant Sleep Coaching

As a Gentle Sleep Coach I offer Nights With Nonny for Santa Barbara, Ventura and Ojai area families struggling with their newborn and infants' sleep patterns. I offer a family-centered approach to sleep coaching that follows an individual baby's cues and developmental patterns for a peaceful night's rest.

Unlike other sleep offerings, Gentle Sleep Coaching acknowledges that all babies and family situations are unique and there is no one size fits all approach to working towards a full night's sleep for the whole family. Following the individual infant's cues and developmental patterns to guide the process allows for a family-centered approach that ensures a baby feels secure and surrounded for a peaceful night’s rest.

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Nancy Lewis Holland, Gentle Sleep Coach

The Gentle Sleep Coach Program is the first and most extensive professional sleep coach training and certification program available. The program involves over 80 hours of training with a faculty panel that includes 2 medical doctors, a psychologist, an attorney, lactation counselor, postpartum doulas and a family therapist. Each Gentle Sleep Coach must pass an exam and participate in case mentorship with Kim West, LCSW-C (a.k.a. “the Sleep Lady”) who has been helping tired parents for over 20 years. Clinical mentorship and ongoing advanced training are required to maintain certification as a Gentle Sleep Coach.

Serving as a postpartum doula and lactation consultant and educator for over two decades, I have strived to continually gain knowledge and build a robust toolkit to best support the families I partner alongside. Moving into my formal training and certification in the Advanced Mentorship Program of Gentle Sleep Coaching in July of 2022 seemed like the next logical step to be able to surround families with thoughtful and personalized care.

Learn more about my training as a Gentle Sleep Coach

This specialty training is designed to give Gentle Sleep Coaches the knowledge, education and all the tools and resources they need to successfully work with families of newborns through 5 months of age in a safe, healthy and developmentally appropriate manner. My Gentle Sleep Coach training includes:

Basic counseling and child development
Sleep science and behavioral modification techniques to help parents of children age 0 to 6 years old.
Secure attachment theory
Support for the breastfeeding mother

The training also consisted of lectures from top specialists, including:

Postpartum Depression from Dr. Shoshana Bennett, author and leading specialist on Postpartum Depression
Medical Conditions and Sleep Apnea in Children led by Dr. Lewis Kass, Director of Children’s Sleep Center
GERD and Sleep led by Dr. Anthony Loizides, pediatric gastroenterologist

0-5-Month-Old Sleep Training

The GSC Program also includes an exclusive advanced training specifically focused on how to gently work with babies 0-5 months of age. Some of the curriculum training topics include:

In-depth knowledge of the importance of attachment and infant mental health
The sleep science behind the first six months of life
What special considerations need to be taken when working with and supporting families during this delicate period.
Specialized instruction on how to evaluate families in the first six months
Guidance on how to assess when the baby is ready for sleep coaching based on current research and evidence-based strategies
Review of gentle sleep solutions and strategies that are developmentally appropriate, breastfeeding and attachment friendly and promote a solid foundation for sleep learning and long-term healthy sleep patterns.

BOOK YOUR FREE SLEEP CONSULT

Expectant Sleep Package

Investment: $350

30 - minute Phone Consultation
For parents with babies up to six months old
60-minute Consultation In-home
Comprehensive Review of Your Sleep History Questionnaire
Handouts Provided
Learn to gently shape your newborn’s sleep habits so they never need sleep training!
Topics Covered:
Infant to 6-Months Old Sleep Patterns, Routine Recommendations, Sleep Hygiene, Developmental Milestones Affecting Sleep, Baby’s Temperament & Soothing Techniques

Supported Sleep Package

Investment: $750

30-Minute Phone Consultation
Sleep Assessment & Review of In-Take Questionnaire Prior to Coaching
2-hour Consultation In-Home (preferred) or Video Conferencing
Comprehensive Review of Your Sleep History Questionnaire
Written Step-by-Step Sleep Plan Reflecting Childs Temperament & Family’s Unique Needs Created with Family
Sleep Log Reviewed and Analyzed While Implementing Plan
Text and Email Support While Actively Working the Sleep Plan
4 follow-up coaching calls (30 minutes each, up to 2 hours total)

Sweet Sleep Package

Investment: $950

30-Minute Phone Consultation
Sleep Assessment & Review of In-Take Questionnaire Prior to Coaching
2-hour Consultation In-Home (preferred) or Video Conferencing Comprehensive Review of Your Sleep History Questionnaire
Written Step-by-Step Sleep Plan Reflecting Childs Temperament & Family’s Unique Needs Created with Family Sleep Log Reviewed and Analyzed While Implementing Plan
Text and Email Support While Actively Working the Sleep Plan
8 follow-up coaching calls (30 minutes each, up to 4 hours total)

Additional In Home Coaching and Assistance for First Week of Sleep Plan Implementation

$50 per hour (2 hour minimum)

Real Time Evening Advice and Support in Person During Implementation
Certified Lactation Consultant and Educator Advice and Suggestions for Implementation of Sleep Plan
Overnight Support to Provide Parents With Worry-Free Rest While Providing Insights From Evening

Frequently Asked Questions:

I don’t want my baby to “cry it out”. Can this Gentle Sleep Coaching work for me?

How can I start now to build good habits before starting the process? When is it best to start?

As a certified Gentle Sleep Coach for infants from 0 to 5 months old, I can provide ways to lay the groundwork for your baby. There are many ways to provide good sleep hygiene for your little one. A few examples are baby’s sleep space should have darkening shades and white noise. Early on it is good to identify your little one’s wake windows and their cues that they are sleepy.

Although every baby is unique and their own individual, we can usually begin the Gentle Sleep Method at 6 months.

Can you briefly describe the Gentle Sleep Method?

What do I do if my baby has a sleep regression?

Are you struggling with your infant's sleep patterns? Contact me today to explore how Sleep Coaching can support a healthy night of sleep for baby - and for you! Reach out today for an initial phone consultation free of charge.

BOOK YOUR FREE SLEEP CONSULT

Breastfeeding & Baby Care Classes

Gentle Sleep Coach Offerings

Breastfeeding Support

Overnight Postpartum Doula

postpartum doula home support in santa barbara

Daytime Postpartum Doula

Free Guide

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