In the field of sleep consulting/sleep coaching, there are now many different providers with a wide variety of approaches. There are online programs with downloadable PDFs, online courses, and also personal consultations. Even with personal consultations, there are significant differences in the process. Some offer one appointment, some two, while others offer packages that specify exactly how often you'll have phone calls, emails, or WhatsApp messages.
Personal consultations should address the individual situation of the family. I consider it particularly important that the child's individual needs are paramount. This should be the top priority. I also believe that ongoing support after the consultation/coaching session is crucial, as questions often arise that need to be addressed, even weeks or months later.
The consultant's/coach's approach and costs should be clearly defined and transparent. For example, the sleep coaches trained by Bianca Niermann all work with an attachment- and needs-oriented approach and have all published a code of conduct on their websites.
Be wary of grand promises. "Sleeping through the night after a week!" cannot be truly needs-based and sounds rather dubious to me.
Speak with the consultant/coach beforehand, get to know each other, and see if you're a good fit. An initial consultation should definitely be offered free of charge.
Also pay attention to reviews on Google and various other portals.
Verena Nittmann
Sleep coach for babies & toddlers