Sleep Consultant Course of Study

Course name: Infant Sleep 5-12 months

Course code: IMS111

Course description

This course covers baby sleep patterns and challenges during the period from 5 to 12 months. Students will learn how to create a sleep diary and how it can help them improve the child's sleep. The course also explains the difference between sleep-wake rhythms and a structured sleep schedule, and how awake windows can help parents develop healthy sleep habits for their children. Other topics include bedtime routines, managing frequent night wakings, and handling short naps and early morning wake-ups. The course will also cover when to change a baby’s sleep routine and how to navigate nap transitions from 3 to 2 naps. Additionally, students will learn how to help babies fall asleep without using formal sleep training methods, as well as how to introduce a comfort object. Finally, the course discusses transitioning from co-sleeping to a separate bed and promoting healthy sleep for families with twins.

Course objectives

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Understand baby sleep patterns from 5 to 8 months and 9 to 12 months.
• Teach parents how to create a sleep diary.
• Identify when and how to adjust a baby’s sleep routine.
• Explain the difference between sleep-wake rhythms and a structured sleep schedule.
• Use awake windows to help create a healthy sleep-wake rhythm for babies.
• Guide parents on establishing effective bedtime routines for this age.
• Provide advice on handling frequent night wakings, short naps, and early morning wake-ups.
• Explain nap transitions, specifically moving from 3 to 2 naps.
• Offer gentle methods for helping babies fall asleep without using sleep training techniques.
• Teach parents how to introduce a comfort object to their baby.
• Advise families on transitioning a baby from co-sleeping to a separate bed.
• Discuss strategies for healthy sleep in families with twins.

Course content

Unit 1: Infant Sleep - 5 to 12 months

• Introduction to Baby Sleep 5 to 8 Months
• Introduction to Baby Sleep 9 to 12 Months
• Naps
• How to Create a Sleep Diary 

Unit 2: Health Sleep-Wake Rhythm

• Wake Windows
• What Is the Difference Between Wake Windows and a Schedule?
• How Much Sleep Does the Baby Need?
• How Can You Know if the Baby Requires Little Sleep?
• Symptoms of Overtiredness
• When to Change the Sleep Routine?

Unit 3: Solving Infant Sleep Problems

• Teach the Baby to Fall Asleep Without Using Sleep Training Methods
• What Is the Easiest Way for Parents to Introduce a Comfort Object to the Baby?
• Using “Special Words” as a Sleep Sign
• Bedtime Routine
• Short Naps
• Early Morning Wake-Ups
• Transition From 3 to 2 Naps
• From Cosleeping to a Separate Bed
• Healthy Sleep for Families With Twins

Assessment: 

• 8 practice quizzes (not graded)
• 6 practical exercises (not graded)
• 1 final test
• 4 case study exams

Grading System

Pass/Fail based on performance in the final test and the case study exams.

Prerequisites:

Students must have completed the following courses before enrolling in this course:

• IMS511 Science of Sleep
• IMS101 Introduction to Pediatric Sleep Consulting
• IMS421 Safe Infant Sleep
• IMS425 Infant Sleep from Birth to 4 Months

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