Gentle Sleep Practitioner Course
Evidence-based training in the science of normal newborn and infant sleep — created with Lyndsey Hookway and Andrea Strang, for the professionals families rely on every day.Unlike many courses, we don't teach cookie-cutter "one size fits all" strategies — because every baby and family is unique. You'll learn current, evidence-based thinking and gentle, responsive strategies you can use in the work you already do.
14-day money-back guarantee · Lifetime access · No attendance required
Sleep is one of the biggest struggles parents face. Most free advice isn't evidence-based
A Gentle Sleep Practitioner is a compassionate, informed presence for tired families: providing evidence-based information about normal newborn and infant sleep, and guiding parents with gentle, responsive, age-appropriate strategies to improve sleep — including hands-on practical support and respite where that's part of your role.
Babycare professionals
Night nannies, newborn care specialists and maternity nurses adding sleep expertise to hands-on work with families.
Childcare & health
Nannies, childminders, health visitors and early-years professionals who field sleep questions every week.
IBCLCs & lactation professionals
Adding evidence-based sleep knowledge that respects feeding, attachment and responsiveness.
Doulas & other professionals
Anyone guiding parents who wants gentle, current, science-led sleep understanding.
"Babyem are consistently brilliant. They focus on the evidence and empowering families, and their trainers are all well known in their own right."V Townsend · Breastfeeding Counsellor & Newborn Care Specialist
Everything you need to learn — and keep learning
Flexible course materials
A mixture of text, videos and quizzes to support all learning styles — study at your own pace, on your own schedule, with lifetime access.
Monthly live workshops & Q&As
Live sessions across sleep topics — understanding overtiredness, coping strategies, feeding to sleep — to continue your learning and get questions answered.
Private community — lifetime access
A supportive, like-minded community of Babyem-trained practitioners for peer support, long after your training is complete.
Mentorship from Andrea Strang
Experienced sleep coach and mentor Andrea Strang is regularly in the community, answering questions and sharing practical guidance.
Masterclass vault
Instant access to previous masterclasses and Q&As — from offering families sleep support to understanding overtiredness.
Ongoing support after completion
Your access doesn't end when the course does — workshops, Q&As and community continue to support your practice.
Includes bonuses worth over £498
The science of normal infant sleep, 0–18 months
Core modules
All enrolment options- What is a Gentle Sleep Practitioner · sleep philosophies
- The impact of sleep deprivation and what can affect sleep
- Sleep cycles and circadian rhythms
- Normal infant sleep: 0–3 months, 3–6 months, 6–18 months
- Naps and night feeds
- Sleep associations and regressions · the self-soothing myth
- Controlled crying — what the evidence says
- SIDS risk reduction and bed-sharing
- Sleep hygiene and positive bedtime patterns
- Gentle sleep strategies and feed-reduction approaches
- Troubleshooting and positioning families for success
- Sleep assessment, logs, and how food affects sleep and gut health
Level 4 bonus modules
OCN Level 4 only- The 4-month developmental milestone
- Cognitive changes and sleep
- Nutritional factors and sleep disturbance
- Behavioural, developmental, biological and nutritional approaches — and when sleep coaching is appropriate
- Understanding and preventing toxic stress
- Attachment types and how they can show up in sleep challenges
Choose your level
Every option includes the core training, lifetime access, community, mentorship and the full bonus vault. Flexible split-payment options are available at checkout.
Non-accredited
Knowledge only- All 12 core modules
- Lifetime access to course content
- Mentorship from Andrea Strang
- Private community — lifetime access
- Full masterclass vault
OCN Level 3
A-level standard- Everything in Non-accredited
- Accreditation through Open College Network at Level 3
- Essay-based assessment with tutor support
- OCN-verified certificate
OCN Level 4
First-year undergraduate difficulty- Everything in Level 3
- Four bonus modules on development, nutrition, stress and attachment
- Accreditation through Open College Network at Level 4
- OCN-verified certificate
🛡 14-day money-back guarantee. If you join and decide within 14 days the programme isn't right for you, request a full refund — see our returns policy.
How assessment works
Each lesson ends with short multiple-choice questions (80% to pass — with unlimited retakes, so you keep going until you do). For OCN accreditation, you complete an essay-based assignment — around 250–300 words per question, over 7 weeks, with extensions available by email. Work is marked by your course tutor, then verified by Open College Network; certificates arrive within roughly 4–6 weeks of verification, and you're given feedback and extra time for any amendments.
Requirements are simple: you're over 18, have a good level of conversational English, and access to a computer.
Created with two world-renowned experts
The Gentle Sleep Practitioner training was created in partnership with two leading voices in gentle, evidence-based sleep — so you benefit from both tutors' diverse experience with an international client base.
Dr Lyndsey Hookway
Co-creatorHolistic sleep coach, author, and co-founder of the Holistic Sleep Coaching Programme — one of the most recognised voices in responsive, evidence-based infant sleep worldwide.
Andrea Strang
Co-creator & course mentorAuthor, gentle sleep coach and doula. Andrea leads the monthly Q&A sessions and is regularly in the community — answering questions and sharing practical, real-world guidance.
It went way more in depth into all topics regarding sleep — and into empowering parents and supporting them fully. It was perfect and exactly what I was looking for.Christina Lubrano · Paediatric Sleep Consultant
Building a full practice around sleep? Meet Level 6
An honest note: this course gives you a strong understanding of sleep science and practical, gentle strategies — a real advantage when you're working hands-on with families. It doesn't cover in-depth family assessment or troubleshooting complex cases. If you're looking to build a full-time consultancy completing assessments with families, our Holistic Sleep Coaching Programme is the better option.
| Gentle Sleep Practitioner | Holistic Sleep Coaching | |
|---|---|---|
| Accreditation | OCN Level 3 or Level 4A-level standard · first-year undergraduate difficulty | OCN Level 6Final-year undergraduate difficulty |
| Live sessions | Monthly workshops & Q&As | Twice weekly — 104 clinical supervision sessions a year |
| Business & marketing coaching | ✗ | ✓ 24 sessions a year with Emma Dewey |
| Real-life case studies & supervised consultations | ✗ | ✓ |
| Ages covered | 0–18 months | 0–12 years |
| Private members community | ✓ | ✓ |
| Designed for | Professionals supporting families within an existing role | Practitioners building a consultancy around sleep itself |
Answered honestly
How long does the course take — and can I fit it around my life?
Absolutely. There's no attendance element — no travel, no childcare costs. Log in and out any time; the material mixes written content, videos and quizzes, and you can even download the course to listen on the go. The online learning takes approximately 12–15 hours, or 20–30 hours if you're completing the accreditation.
Is this course accredited?
Yes — through Open College Network, the largest vocational awarding body in the UK, at Level 3 (A-level standard) or Level 4 (a step beyond — equivalent in difficulty to first-year undergraduate study). To receive the accreditation you complete the essay-based assignment.
How is this different from other sleep courses?
Many programmes still use outdated approaches centred on leaving a baby to cry alone. We do things differently: you'll learn the science of infant sleep, the common challenges families face, and practical, gentle, responsive strategies — created with leading experts, and with real people answering your questions in monthly Q&As and the community.
Will this make me a certified sleep consultant?
An honest answer: there is currently no single industry-wide credential that regulates sleep consulting. This course is designed to add to your current professional role — giving you a strong understanding of sleep science and practical strategies to help the families you already work with. It doesn't cover in-depth family assessment or complex troubleshooting; if you want to build a full-time consultancy completing assessments with families, our Holistic Sleep Coaching Programme is the better option.
What support will I get?
Monthly live workshops and Q&A sessions with Andrea Strang, a private community of like-minded Babyem-trained practitioners with lifetime access, and a course tutor for your assessment. Support continues long after your training is complete.
What are the requirements?
You must be over 18, have a good level of conversational English (the course and assignments are in English), and have access to a computer with internet — tablets and smartphones aren't advisable for study. For accreditation, complete all modules and the final assignment within 7 weeks of starting (need longer? Just email the team).
What if it isn't right for me?
We offer a 14-day money-back guarantee. If you join and decide within 14 days that the programme isn't right for you, request a full refund and we'll wish you well. We're confident you'll love it — and we offer flexible split-payment options to keep quality training accessible.
Support families with sleep — gently, and with evidence
Enrol today with a 14-day money-back guarantee, lifetime access, and a community that's with you long after the course ends.
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