Enter any keyword(s) to search our Blogs.
“I’ll Believe It When I See It”: The Real Emotions Parents Feel When Starting Sleep Coaching
Deciding to get help with your baby’s sleep is rarely a simple decision.
For most parents, it comes after months of exhaustion, late-night Googling, second-guessing, and wondering if things will ever get easier.
And even after saying yes to sleep coaching, the emotions don’t magically disappear.
One family I’m currently working with described that moment perfectly:
“I was feeling relief that we were finally taking action on his sleep. At the same time, I was nervous about whether it would work.”
If you’re standing at that crossroads—wanting better sleep but wondering if coaching will actually work for your baby—you are not alone.
These feelings are incredibly common.
The Pain Points That Led This Family to Seek Help
Like many families, these parents had reached the point where their nights felt unpredictable and exhausting.
Evenings weren’t relaxing. They were spent waiting.
Waiting for the next wake-up.
Waiting to hear cries through the monitor.
Waiting to see how the night would unfold.
That constant anticipation can be one of the most draining parts of poor sleep.
Instead of enjoying quiet time together after bedtime, they felt stuck in a cycle of anxiety and interruption.
At the same time, the questions many parents ask before hiring a sleep coach were running through their minds:
What if this doesn’t work for my baby?
Is this really worth the financial investment?
What if we try this and nothing changes?
For example, this mom shared:
“I remember thinking I really hope this works because otherwise I feel like we’re out of options.”
Sleep coaching is both an emotional and financial commitment, and it’s completely normal for parents to feel uncertain before getting started.
Saying Yes: Relief Mixed With Doubt
When they officially decided to begin coaching, the feeling wasn’t just excitement.
It was a mix of hope, relief, and nervous anticipation.
On one hand, they felt relief that they were finally taking action. On the other hand, they wondered how their son would respond and whether the process would work for their particular child.
This mom said something I hear often from parents:
“Joanna has great reviews and everything she’s saying makes sense… but my baby is really tough, so I’ll believe it when I see it.”
And honestly, that mindset makes total sense.
Parents aren’t looking for promises, they’re looking for proof.
Preparing for the Process
After saying yes to coaching, these parents wanted to make sure they made the most of the experience.
They focused on preparing, learning, and completing the action steps leading up to the start of coaching.
Because for them, it was important to fully commit to the process.
As the mom explained:
“It was a financial commitment for us, so I wanted to make sure we were really maximizing our time and learning as much as possible.”
At the same time, they reminded themselves that getting help was the right decision, even if it still felt uncertain.
“I was saying that it was the right decision to get help. Even though it still felt uncertain, I was confident that we really needed help and that our current situation wasn’t sustainable.”
Many parents reach this point where they realize something has to change.
And sometimes the most powerful step forward is simply asking for support.
The First Nights: Expecting the Worst
One of the biggest fears parents have when starting sleep coaching is what those first nights will look like.
Many families prepare themselves for long stretches of crying or intense protests.
These parents expected that too.
But what actually happened surprised them.
Instead of overwhelming nights, they started seeing progress faster than they anticipated.
And as their began learning how to settle himself to sleep, everything began to shift.
The Biggest Change: Transforming Their Nights
The most noticeable improvements for this family have been during the night.
Their child has started falling asleep independently, something that previously felt out of reach.
He’s also staying asleep longer, and sometimes even sleeping through the night.
For his parents, this has been a huge shift.
“Our nights have been transformed.”
And with those improved nights came something many parents desperately miss: peaceful evenings.
“We are able to relax a lot more in the evenings now because we aren’t just waiting for our son to wake up.”
When families move from anxious waiting to actually relaxing after bedtime, it can completely change the rhythm of the household.
The Impact on Family Life
Because this family is still in the middle of their sleep coaching journey, everything is still unfolding—but they’re already noticing some meaningful shifts.
More sleep has brought:
More rest for both parents
A sense of reliefRenewed optimism about their baby’s sleep
Calm evenings instead of stressful ones
“We are both getting more rest now which is a game changer.”
When parents begin sleeping better, everything in family life tends to feel more manageable.
The Next Step on the Stairway to Sleep: Mastering Naps
One thing I often explain to families is that sleep learning tends to happen in stages, what I like to call the Stairway to Sleep.
Nightime sleep is the first step and once learning how to fall asleep independently and nights become more predictable and consistent, we can then move on to strengthening daytime sleep.
With nights becoming much more stable, the next step is mastering naps. This is a very natural progression.
Sleep coaching isn’t about quick fixes—it’s about teaching babies sustainable sleep skills step by step.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Yes. Many parents feel hopeful and anxious at the same time. Sleep coaching is both an emotional and financial investment, so it's completely normal to wonder whether it will work for your baby. But with the right sleep plan and the right pace to match the temperament of your child, we can be successfully working day-by-day to customize teaching your child the sleep skills. I also have a Sleep Success Guarantee so you can feel confident in the investment.
-
Gentle sleep coaching focuses on teaching independent sleep using responsive, age-appropriate methods. The approach is individualized for each family and does not rely on a one-size-fits-all method. The parent is in the room with the child and can offer both physical and verbal assurances and be responsive.
-
Every baby is different, but many families notice positive changes within the first 3-5 days as children begin learning independent sleep skills. Consistency and individualized support are key.
-
Parents often worry that their baby is "too difficult" for sleep coaching. While every child is unique, gentle sleep coaching is customized to meet each baby's temperament, developmental stage, and family's goals.
-
Nighttime sleep usually provides the strongest opportunity for babies to learn independent sleep skills. Once nights become more predictable, naps often become easier to improve.
-
I work with children 6 months to 6 years of age. It’s never too late to learn the skills of sleep!
3 Simple Ways New Parents Can Save on Pregnancy and Baby Needs
Did you know that pregnancy can cost anywhere from $9,000 - $250,000, depending on whether the mother has health insurance?
But that amount doesn’t even take into account other pregnancy necessities, such as maternity clothes, pregnancy books, prenatal vitamins, morning sickness meds, body pillows, noise machines, stretch mark prevention cream, and more--that are essential for getting through any pregnancy comfortably (or as comfortably as possible!)
Emily Graham of MightyMoms.Net has some advice on budget-friendly pregnancy preparation. My hope is that these tips and resources provided will help alleviate at least some of the money worries new moms face.
Do you have a new baby on the way soon? If so, you may feel overwhelmed by the pressure to prep for the months ahead. That pressure can be even more intense when you are prepping for a new baby on a tight budget, but it doesn’t have to be when you use these simple savings tips.
Stock Up on Baby Supplies Without Spending a Cent
If you’re like most expectant moms, you’ve likely got a lot of items on left to buy on your shopping list. Little things, like nursing bras and bottles, can really add up, but you want to at least make sure you have a few items that will make life as a new mom easier. One such thing is a nursing bra made for hands-free pumping from a company such as Kindred Bravely. Stocking up on a couple of these can be a lifesaver for busy new moms, especially when they are back at work and still need to pump. You may need to cover the costs of your nursing bras, or you could luck out and have your insurance help out with this expense. One thing that’s for sure is that a breast pump must be covered by your health insurance, per insurance laws. Being able to cross this must-have maternity item off your budget can be so helpful. You can put the savings toward more nursing bras or other items on your nesting checklist. Want even more free baby gear? Look online for new mom freebies that can cut down your new baby budget even more.
Check Out Online Coupons to Trim Your Pregnancy Prep Costs
As a new parent on a budget, online coupons and promo codes are a simple way to save. Many corporations, like Procter and Gamble, offer coupons on their website, but you can also browse dedicated coupon and discount sites. You should be able to find plenty of coupons and promo codes to help out with pregnancy and baby costs, but you should also make the most of your effort to find those great deals. Most grocery stores and retailers allow customers to stack coupons on eligible products, and you could end up paying little to nothing for the items in your shopping cart. Of course, the big savings do not have to stop with stacking. Once you checkout, be sure to save your receipts, and remember to use a rebate app to put even more money back into your budget. You can save up for cash back or choose from gift cards to help you snag more baby and pregnancy products for less cost.
Talk to Friends and Family Members About Throwing a Baby Shower
If you have a network of friends and family nearby, chances are they have offered to help during your pregnancy. So, take them up on that offer and ask them to help organize a baby shower. You can even provide your host or hostess with some budget baby shower tips, so you can have a baby shower without feeling guilty about the costs. Help your friends out by providing some inexpensive parting gifts for attendees (hint: you likely already have a few around your home) or see if someone has some leftover decor that can be used for your shower. You can help your hosts and guests out even more by registering for budget-friendly gifts. Be sure to include some pregnancy and baby basics on your registry, but look for easy ways to save on those essentials, such as opting for previous models or sale items. Once the shower is over, also be sure to thank your friends and family for their generosity by sending timely thank yous. Most people are happy to help you welcome your new bundle of joy with a few shower gifts, and it’s a good way to get the gear you need without going over your own budget.
Being ready for a new baby takes some planning, especially when it comes to sticking to a budget. So, use the tips above to add more savings to your pregnancy prep budget plan, and make sure you, your home, and your bank account are all prepared for the new arrival.
Sleep Matters...For Everyone
Do you want to stay up-to-date on all the incredible information and interviews I have to share?
If so, please join my Facebook and Instagram tribes.
Solve your child’s sleep struggles once and for all — so everyone finally sleeps again.
I help sleep-deprived families get where they need to be: well-rested.
There Is No Need To "Cry-It-Out"
I Offer Guilt-Free, Gentle Sleep Coaching
Easy and calm bedtimes, quiet, peaceful nights, reliable naps and confident parenting are yours.
With proven, evidence-based methods, an expert, signature process, and full-service support,
I help you tenderly teach the “skills of sleep” to your child.
I’ve Helped Over 800 Families Sleep Through The Night.
That’s More Than 2,400 Family Members Now Sleeping Better.
Let Me Help Your Whole Family Sleep Better, Too.
Click here to schedule a live 45 minute Sleep Strategy Session where you can gain expert insights into how to tackle the sleep struggles once and for all! (small fee applies)
Photo Credit: Unsplash