When a family is struggling with baby or toddler sleep, one of the first things they will need to figure out in their pursuit of a solution is where to get their information and support. Thanks to the internet, there are so many resources and so many ways to get help from professionals. What your family chooses will depend on your preferences, philosophies, and budget. The important thing is to find a resource or service that fits your personal parameters. Below are 5 different options at different price points for every family!
1. Blog posts/Free Resources (Cost: $0)
The Internet is a wealth of baby sleep information. You may have to wade through some things that don’t apply to you, or some things that don’t resonate with your parenting style. But overall, you can easily find blog posts and articles on the foundational pieces of sleep- how to build a baby sleep schedule and how to create a soothing sleep environment, as well as how to sleep train and the different methods you can use to sleep train your baby or toddler. The cons of finding free information from different free sources online can include running into conflicting advice and also having to sift through information that doesn’t apply to you. However, if you’re on a tight budget or if you already feel pretty confident in fixing your sleep issues but just need a little refresher, finding good articles and blog posts about baby and toddler sleep can be a great free way to get sleep back on track in your household. You can also also look for free sleep resources besides blog posts. These can include free baby guides, mini courses, and toolkits. Often the only thing you have to do to receive one of these free resources is to input your email address. At Raising Happy Sleepers, we offer several free baby sleep resources here- we love to help tired parents with their sleep struggles no matter what their budget looks like. If you’d like access to our free resources, click here!
2. Read a Book for Affordable Sleep Training (Cost: $0-20)
Another place you can get low-cost sleep information is from a book written by a trusted sleep expert. Some of our favorites are Precious Little Sleep by Alexis Dubief, and Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth. Books are great because they tend to be more thorough than a blog post, and typically offer well-researched advice. Books are budget friendly and you can get almost any sleep book you are looking for for under $20. You can even get these books for free from the library, as long as you don’t mind waiting a little while if the book you are requesting is popular and on hold. The cons to reading through a book in order to find the answer to your sleep troubles, is that consuming a book can be daunting to a busy parent. Reading through 400 pages to get to the solution you are looking for or to find the specific situation you are in is often not in the schedule for a busy family, especially when you’re exhausted.
3. Raising Happy Sleepers, affordable monthly membership (Cost: $29)
Raising Happy Sleepers is a great resource for parents that still fits in the budgetk, but gives targeted and personal expert support to tired families. The cost is less than one dollar a day for the month and parents can ask their personal questions to the certified sleep consultant on duty, as well as have access to the member dashboard full of sleep resources that are specific to certain situations, including early morning wakings, night weaning, sleep training, using reward charts, using an OK to wake clock, bringing home a new baby, the crib to bed transition, stalling at bedtime, and over 30 more specific targeted resources. A service like Raising Happy Sleepers is not only budget-friendly, but saves parents time and stress on sorting through conflicting information or sifting through Google or reading a huge book. You can even get $10 off your first month with code FIRSTMONTH to make your first month of membership at Raising Happy Sleepers only $19. This solution is great for parents who want a personalized approach or have a specific situation that they would like expert help with. Some of our families in Raising Happy Sleepers have been there for over three years, and they love that their membership allows them to ask questions any day they need help, and they know they will get up-to-date support, no matter what they are going through, whether it’s a nap transition, a sleep regression, schedule changes, or anything else.
4. Investing in Paid Guides (Cost: Average $10-$50)
If you’re a DIY-type and just need a little guidance, purchasing a detailed sleep training guide or mini-course can be a great and affordable solution. Typically costing anywhere from $10 to $50, these guides provide a wealth of strategies that you can implement on your own, complete with tips for troubleshooting common issues.
5. Affordable Baby Sleep Help Courses (Cost: Average $99)
One of the most affordable baby sleep help options for sleep training is online courses. These programs provide structured advice and can be a great middle ground between reading a book and hiring a personal consultant. Prices vary, but you can typically find comprehensive courses ranging from $50 to $200. These courses often include video tutorials, downloadable resources, and sometimes access to a community forum where you can ask questions and share experiences with other parents.
6. Affordable Sleep Consultant One Time Calls (Cost: $75-$150)
If you're not ready to commit to a full course or ongoing consultancy but still need some expert advice, consider booking a one-time call with a sleep consultant. This can be a deep dive into your specific issues, offering tailored advice without the commitment of a full package. Prices for these calls usually range from $75-$150, depending on the expert's experience and the length of the call.
7. Group coaching (Cost: Average $150-450)
Group coaching is a great option for tired parents who want a little bit more handholding when it comes to their family sleep situation, but still want a more affordable option. Depending on which consultant you hire, group coaching can be up to 80% less than the cost of a one-on-one coaching package. Group coaching often involves written or video resources for the group to consume, a place and time to ask personal questions, and a group setting to chat and share experiences and be held accountable with other parents going through the same program.
8. 1:1 support from a certified sleep consultant (Cost: Average $300-800)
One on one support from a certified sleep consultant is a great service and can really help a family out, especially if the parents are ready to eliminate any guesswork and get their sleep situation settled once and for all. Sleep consultants will often use a highly personalized intake process to understand the sleep situation and create a custom plan for your family. Then they will often offer a phone consultation to discuss the plan and answer any questions you have, and then offer support as you implement the plan. This support can be through text, email, or apps. This is not a cheap option, but it does offer the extra bit of handholding that a nervous parent or a family who has a lot to work on with sleep can really benefit from.
9. Utilizing HSA/FSA Funds
Did you know that you might be able to use your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for sleep training? While not all programs are covered, many therapeutic sleep solutions qualify if prescribed by a doctor. This can significantly reduce the out-of-pocket cost and make use of pre-tax dollars. Check with your plan administrator to see what’s covered and get the necessary documentation from your healthcare provider.
Wondering if sleep training is covered by insurance? Read this blog to find out how to utilize those HSA/FSA funds!
Breaking Down the Costs: How Much Does a Baby Sleep Trainer Cost?
The cost of hiring a baby sleep trainer or coach can vary widely based on their expertise, the complexity of your situation, and the duration of training needed. Typically, private coaching can range from $300 to over $1000 for more comprehensive packages. It’s important to evaluate the cost against the potential benefits for your family’s sleep health and well-being.
How much does it cost to become a sleep consultant?
Would you like to turn your newly found knowledge into a profession? The total cost for becoming an accredited sleep consultant may vary from $1,000 to $10,000 depending on the program you decide to go with; a good investment that opens a new career path and increases your understanding of sleep practices.
Check out our sleep consultant certification course and see if this is the next step for your family!
Choosing What’s Right for You:
The kind of sleep help that a family chooses for themselves is highly personal and depends on personality, preference, and budget. The most important thing to remember is that there is help available and you are not alone. We created Raising Happy Sleepers to be a budget friendly option for parents who would really like the expertise of a certified sleep consultant on their side without the price tag. We believe all families deserve access to evidence-based, empathetic, and accurate expert sleep help. Use the code FIRSTMONTH to get your first month of sleep help for just $19!