Pediatric Sleep Consultant Certification Curriculum
Here's exactly what you'll learn inside The Cradle Coach Academy, from sleep science to your first paying clients. Our curriculum includes modules created by pediatricians, nurses, and sleep medicine physicians, and every section includes coursework reviewed by a mentor.
Step 1: Get Certified
Section One: Sleep Education
The Role of a Sleep Consultant
What sleep training is, when it's needed, and the ages we support (newborn to 7).
Sleep Science and Healthy Sleep Foundations
The science and stages of sleep, overtiredness, routines, the ideal sleep environment, and meeting children's emotional needs, co-taught with Dr. Sujay Kansagra of Duke University.
Sleep Techniques and Temperament
The most common sleep training approaches and how to match them to each family's temperament and parenting philosophy.
The Breastfeeding Relationship
How feeding affects sleep, from cluster feeding and dream feeds to starting solids.
The Newborn Sleep Guide
The first 4 months, safe sleep, swaddling, and the 4-month regression.
Infant and Toddler Nutrition
Gut health, first foods, and foods that support sleep.
Common Sleep Problems
Night weaning, regressions, illness, teething, and sleep associations.
All About Naps
Wake windows, schedules, and nap transitions from 4 months to 4 years.
All About Toddlers
Crib climbing, toddler bed transitions, night terrors, and nighttime fears.
Emotional Well-Being
Toddler emotional development and red flags from birth to age 3.
Supporting 2 to 7 Year Olds
Tantrums, boundaries, early wakings, and family prep plans.
Multiples, Special Circumstances, and Medical Concerns
Twins, siblings, adoption, travel, and a medical discussion co-led by a physician and a pediatric nurse practitioner.
Case Studies
Real-world case studies and your Section One final project.
Section Two: The Client Process
Six modules covering intake forms, finding the root cause, building and presenting personalized sleep plans, follow-up support, boundaries and policies, and client experience systems.
Hands-On Practicum
You'll work with 5 volunteer families with 1:1 mentorship throughout, so you graduate with real experience.
Step 2: The 90-Day $5K Sprint
Designed to help you earn back your program investment within 90 days of certification.
Confident Launch Framework
A simple website (template included), payments, and messaging to start booking clients.
Your First $5K Plan
An income plan built around your availability.
30-in-30 Connection Marketing System
30 minutes a day to build relationships that turn into clients.
Step 3: Scale Without Burnout
Five phases to grow from your first clients to consistent income that fits how much you want to work.
Business Foundations
Visibility and Attraction
Sales Systems
Client Delivery
Scale Prep (including digital products, affordable Meta ads, and a webinar plan)
Lead Sleep Instructors
Marli Klaus
Owner and Lead Instructor
Marli holds a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Psychology and is a triple-certified pediatric sleep consultant (CPSM, TCCA, and Sleep Health Institute). After 13 years in corporate HR, she built her own sleep consulting business, then took over The Cradle Coach and The Cradle Coach Academy in 2023.
Melissa Perry
Founder
Melissa founded The Cradle Coach and The Cradle Coach Academy and is a certified maternity, baby, and toddler sleep consultant. She is also a certified Happiest Baby on the Block educator and a certified Newborn Care Advanced Specialist through the Newborn Care Training Academy.
Specialist Faculty and Guest Experts
Dr. Sujay Kansagra, MD
Professor of Pediatrics and Child Neurology at Duke University
Director of the Pediatric Neurology Sleep Medicine Program. He co-teaches Module 2: Sleep Science and leads a continuing education workshop on sleep training safety and the research behind it.
Dr. Anya McLaren-Barnett, MD
Pediatric Respirologist and Sleep Medicine Physician
A sleep expert at McMaster Children's Hospital with dual board certifications in Pediatrics and Respirology. She leads two medical workshops: Snoring in Children and Recognizing Pediatric Sleep Apnea.
Dr. Uma Khusnutdinova, MD, IBCLC
Physician & International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
Certified sleep consultant and founder of Little Pumpkin Sleep Solutions. She co-leads our Medical Concerns and Sleep Training module.
Katy Bourzikas, MSN, APRN, CPNP, CLC
Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner & Lactation Counselor
TCCA graduate and sleep consultant behind Well Rested Wee Ones. She co-leads our Medical Concerns and Sleep Training module.
Kerri D'Amico, RN, IBCLC
Neonatal and Postpartum Nurse
Assistant Clinical Manager at Jupiter Medical Center with nearly two decades of hospital experience in neonatal and postpartum care. She shapes our infant care and feeding curriculum.
Caley Kukla, M.Ed.
Early Childhood Educator
A master's in Early Childhood Education and over a decade in early intervention, therapy, and preschool teaching. She leads our modules on child development and behavior, with a focus on brain science and attachment theory.
Jessica Royston
Holistic Health Coach
Certified through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. She guides our modules on postpartum wellness, maternal self-care, and the mind-body connection.
Karen Winter
Toddler and Preschool Sleep Specialist
Over 20 years working with children as a 4K teacher, nanny, autism line therapist, and in-home daycare provider. She teaches Module 10B and mentors students supporting 2 to 7 year olds.
Rachel Fiorello
Pediatric Sleep Consultant
A sleep consultant with The Cradle Coach for over 10 years, specializing in children from newborn to 4. She serves as a student mentor.
Since 2018, we've hosted quarterly expert workshops with voices from medicine, child development, lactation, and psychology. Students get access to our full library of these trainings.
Earnings disclaimer: Income goals and examples on this page are not guarantees. Results vary based on effort, time invested, location, pricing, and business experience.