The person behind the business: Miriam Cohen

Years in the business: Seven

Products Offered: Three sleep-training support packages

Format: Primarily remote communication (messaging, talk and video support)

 

 

 

How did you get started in this business?

It started with my own first baby, seven years ago. A few weeks after he was born, a relative mentioned the idea of a baby sleeping for 12 consecutive hours at night. I remember thinking: Twelve hours? Is that a thing? Not where I come from!

My baby was a typical newborn, waking up at all hours of the night, expecting to be rocked or nursed back to sleep, and stealing any hint of normalcy or schedule from my life.

The 12-hour schedule intrigued me, and in perfectly typical fashion, I threw myself into exploring this novel idea. I integrated what I learned into every aspect of baby’s schedule, with my husband supporting me along the way (albeit from a horizontal position). By the time my baby was nine weeks old, I had achieved the impossible: He was self-soothing initially and after any wakings and sleeping an incredible 12 hours a night and three hours during the day. But it didn’t end there; his days were transformed as well, moving to a predictable feeding schedule that left him full and happy between feeds without constant snacking.

And then again, in perfectly typical fashion, I couldn’t keep this beautiful reality to myself. I had to share the knowledge Hashem had so generously given me. And so it began, an organic path to a career dedicated to helping exhausted moms reclaim, well, their sanity.

 

 

What kinds of babies do you work with?

I specialize in babies ages 2–12 months old. Nursing or bottle-fed babies, colicky babies, co-sleepers, with or without a baby nurse, with or without babysitter during the day—I’ve pretty much seen it all. Try me. Tell me something I haven’t heard!

When is a baby ready to sleep a consecutive 12 hours?

The baby must be at least eight weeks old, weigh at least nine pounds, and be eating 24 ounces in a 24-hour period. Once the baby meets that criteria, we shift all ounces consumed at night to the day to ensure sufficient nutrition.

 

Don’t babies need to eat at night?

Babies with no significant medical concerns who eat 24 ounces in a 24-hour period and weigh over nine pounds can go up to 12 hours without feeding.

How does sleep-training a baby work?

I begin with a free discovery call to learn about the baby and present my program. If it’s a good fit, I send an intake form of detailed questions about the baby’s general health, feeding patterns, sleep habits, and some personal preferences. Next, we schedule a video session where I present a fully customized plan. Anyone involved—father, nurse, nanny—is welcome to join. The goal is a 12-hour sleep window at night without needing to feed or be resettled.

The program lasts a week and a half on average and is broken into multiple phases. We fine-tune feeding times, make necessary environment adjustments and remove sleep crutches, building a strong foundation for healthy sleep. Finally, we wean night feedings.

During this time, the parents record baby’s schedule in a shared log while I monitor baby’s progress. There’s unlimited support throughout the duration of training.

 

 

Do you look beyond nighttime sleep?

I do. I take a somewhat holistic approach that goes far beyond just nighttime sleep. I review baby’s full history and daily routine, considering factors such as tongue and lip ties, reflux, colic, teething, and feeding challenges. I also look closely at feeding type, timing, and duration, nap schedules, the role of other caregivers, and any approaching travel or schedule change. All this is incorporated into each plan and monitored.

What happens at the end of the program?

At the conclusion of training, I provide a comprehensive maintenance plan on handling future disruptions—whether it’s travel, Yom Tov, a simchah, ear infection, or other environment or developmental changes—so the healthy sleep habits the baby learned will be retained. I provide what I call a “reinforcement training” that can be easily implemented and mirrors the work achieved during training.

Do you find that sleep-trained babies are happier babies?

Oh, absolutely! Babies who are independent sleepers and get a full night’s sleep are more content during their awake time. And when parents are well rested, they have the energy to meet their baby’s needs, creating a more settled environment for everyone.

What were some surprise challenges along the way?

The biggest challenge is juggling a few clients at once and remembering each baby’s unique schedule and nuances while managing a constant flow of communication. To meet the demands of the job, I’ve learned to keep easily accessible case notes and a calendar so I’m always prepared to address any client need at any time of day with ease and clarity—all while balancing my home and family!

Were you ever stumped by a baby?

I have a success rate of nearly 100 percent, baruch Hashem, but sometimes I’ll work with a baby who just will not sleep for the full 12 hours no matter what we do or will successfully sleep the 12 hours but not nap sufficiently. Those few stubborn babies are a humbling reminder that babies aren’t robots and that I’m not perfect.

What’s the best part of your job?

Bringing a client to that final phase is…ahh. When a baby sleeps through the night for the first time, it’s total euphoria and has me doing a little dance. It never gets old. I know what this means for the future of the entire home.

Pro tip: The best thing you can do for your baby’s sleep health is teach him to self-soothe! You can start this without a formal program as soon as you feel ready. Encourage your baby to fall asleep without being nursed or fed a bottle, rocked, wheeled in the Doona (attention babysitters!), going for a drive, or relying on any other external crutch. Baby should be placed flat in a crib in a calm, quiet, and dim or dark environment. Allow the inevitable crying to last for as little as three and up to five consecutive minutes and then intervene to gently soothe from the sidelines for up to a few seconds. During the check-ins, you’re supporting baby but not doing the job for him. This practice should be repeated until he falls asleep and after any night wakings as well as at the onset and throughout naps. Oh, and most importantly, send many prayers up for your little one. Hashem is the true coach!

Sweet dreams to all!