We Are Certified!

We have been professionally trained and certified by the #1 recognized sleep program in the world! Kim West founded Gentle Sleep Training in 2010 and has been featured on the Dr. Phil Show, Good Morning America and The Today Show. 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 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. Some of the training topics included:

• 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 Training Summary

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.

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.

People Are Talking

I’m a second time mom and we think we have more experience than a first time mom. Well my 2 year old definitely wanted to show me otherwise. My daughter would not want to go to sleep in her crib, as soon as I put her down she would be hysterical crying, she got to the point where she jumped out of the crib and would go straight to our room. We decided it wasn’t safe any longer and bought her a big girl bed, well that didn’t work either. I reached out to Vera who asked me a lot of questions about our every day life and routine. She was able to guide me, checked on me, and modify things depending on how previous night went. I’m FINALLY getting sleep, my daughter is no longer waking up in the middle of the night and back to taking NAPS!!! I cannot Thank you enough for your guidance and support thru this process.

- Karina

We have two kids and both of our children had the benefit of Vera’s program. She helped guide of getting our 3 year old at the time to sleep through the night without coming out of her room in the middle of the night and she doesn’t anymore. Our youngest consistently goes to sleep and sleeps through the night. We followed all of Vera’s steps and each one ended just as she said it would. We are so grateful for the work she did for us and our children!

- Brett