In an Australian first, young parents will have access to highly sought after sleep support for their babies, as part of a new partnership between the Brave Foundation and Baby Sleep School.

Sleep deprivation is a common complaint of new parents, but for those who are still navigating their teenage years, the transition to parenthood can be infinitely more challenging.

Baby Sleep School has joined forces with the Brave Foundation to provide free and on-going sleep help to families in need of support. Those involved in the new initiative will receive a personalised sleep plan, detailed advice around their babies sleeping needs at every age, and access to Baby Sleep School’s team of qualified baby sleep consultants.

“In the past 10 years almost 80,000 new mothers were aged under 20 at the time of the birth of their children, and like all new parents they need a village of support around them as they embark on their parenting journey,” said Brave Foundation CEO Jill Roche.

“We are so pleased to create this partnership with Baby Sleep School to ensure young parents are also provided with valuable guidance around their child’s sleep. Now participants in Brave’s program will be able to access additional help to ensure that they, and their children, are getting the rest they need in a safe and supported way.”

The Brave Foundation is a not- for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting these mothers and fathers from pregnancy and through the early years of parenting, and now sleep support will be added to the list of resources, education and referrals that Brave provides.

Recent statistics show more than 5-thousand babies are born in Australia each year to mothers under the age of 20.

”The data is clear - young mothers are one of Australia’s most disadvantaged groups,” said Marissa Wallis, founder and CEO of Baby Sleep School.

“Parenthood is demanding,and young parents face many of the same challenges as other parents, as well as other adversities''. We want to help these young parents by increasing their parenting skills and giving them confidence”.

The role of the qualified Baby Sleep Consultants at Baby Sleep School will be understanding the individual Parents' needs arising from their personal history and current life situation. As well as the shared and individual needs of young parents to then develop services that respond to these needs.

“We want to ensure these mothers and fathers are far better supported, and one of the ways we can do that is by providing education and information around a baby’s sleeping and feeding needs,” she said.

“There is significant research to show sleep deprivation increases the likelihood of things like brain fog, mood swings, and post-natal anxiety and depression, so supporting these young parents to improve their baby’s sleep - and in turn their own - is imperative.

To learn more about the Brave Foundation, visit bravefoundation.org.au

Baby Sleep School can be found at sleepschool.co

Mothers have been teaching their babies to sleep since the dawn of time. From rocking them to replicate the movement they would have felt in the womb, to gently resettling them when they need more than a catnap, and everything in between – mothers know sleep is important to a baby’s growth and development.

In the traditional village setting of the past, women would share hard-won experience knowledge with one another in the course of their days– ‘This worked for my baby’, or ‘Have you tried making a ‘shusssh’ sound?’ – and each family would figure out what worked for them.

What we do at Baby Sleep School is kind of like a modern version of that – we share what we have learned, through education, our tribe, our experiences in helping families find healthy sleep habits and our personal experience with our own families. We want to help families who are crying out for better sleep – it’s as simple as that.

Sleep training always equals ‘cry it out’, doesn’t it?

No! Not at all. This is such a common misconception – there are so many ways to sleep train, and while some people and organisations recommend ‘cry it out’, which is based upon allowing a baby to cry for extended periods of time without providing hands on reassurance, we do not.

All sleep training/teaching systems are not the same. We offer practical and gentle sleep advice and take care to help parents understand their babies better, and about how to approach the different types of cries your baby may do in bed. Never ever will you hear us recommending you leave your baby to cry themselves to sleep.

Why is sleep so important?

Sleep isn’t a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a health and wellness must. And that goes for everyone – for babies, for mothers, for children – for adults! But we want to explore why sleep is something we can’t take for granted…

• for babies: so much of a baby’s growth and development happens when they sleep – most of their brain development happens during sleep, synapses are formed, memories stored – they’re busy when they’re sleeping! A rested baby also tends to eat better, which is key for development, as well as their general mood.
  
• for mothers: the wellbeing of mothers is vital to the wellbeing of their babies. There are so many mums out there that are exhausted, overextended and pouring from an empty cup. When baby sleeps well, everyone sleeps well, resulting in happier, more resilient parents! Poor sleep can affect every part of an adult’s life, and make life so much harder than it needs to be. We genuinely believe, and have seen, that good sleep makes for much happier families and especially mums – as well as beautiful, happy, bouncing babies.

Should everyone sleep train?

Goodness no! Some people will want to, like we did when we needed help teaching our first babies to sleep, and some people won’t – and that’s totally fine! Sleep training, like everything parenting, is not a ‘one size fits all’ situation. Our guidelines are just that – guidelines! We aim to provide parents with gentle tools, tips and most importantly, a range of different options, to help their baby achieve the sleep they need for healthy development and growth.

We strongly recommend people do what works for them – their baby, their family, their own comfort zone and intuition.

Is it ok to sleep train?

Yes! We think so – we have dedicated years and years to sleep training our children and helping thousands of families achieve better sleep in a gentle, flexible way.

It is fine to sleep train your baby as long as you are following safe sleep rules and being safe generally. It is fine not to sleep train your baby. What is not fine is make others feel bad about how they choose to deal with sleep, so be kind to all mums, no matter their approach – it’s a tough job and everyone is doing their best.

‘Put on your own mask first, before helping others’ – those word will be familiar to anyone who has ever boarded a plane (remember that?! The good old days hey). But when was the last time you stopped to make sure you were fitting your own mask, before tending to your little ones?

The advice is nothing new, but when push comes to shove – it can be seriously hard to prioritise your needs over those of your little ones even sometimes.

Parenting, and the juggles that come with it, can be intense – whether you’re a working mama, running a home, studying between feeds, running a farm, balancing blended families. Having these little people rely on us is a joy and a privilege but it can also be seriously challenging, and demanding in ways we never even dreamed of! (Who knew you can cut toast into the ‘wrong’ kind of triangles? Or that it is possible to cry and scream simultaneously?)

You can’t pour from an empty cup, and it is so important that as mamas we find some time to fill up our own stores of energy and joy. Especially in these challenging times – lockdowns, alarming world news – your wellbeing truly does matter. We talk about this more in the Mindful Parenting sections of our Sleep Guides – we can’t help regulate a baby (and their sleep) if we are not emotionally regulated ourselves!

So, we’re not saying that you need to book in a hot stone massage or rosé-fuelled long lunch (although now you mention it…) – it can be as simple as writing a quick hit list of small, achievable things that you know fill YOUR cup.

An hour curled up in bed streaming your fave show, a coffee and walk with a girlfriend, reading your book instead of tidying when the baby naps. Blasting 90s pop and shaking off some of the stress, calling an old friend, meditating. It doesn’t matter so much what it is, but that it is for you, and brings you some joy.

In turn, you’ll have some more patience, more energy, more joy – and that benefits the whole family, not just you.

Parents of newborns – we know finding time for you can be challenging especially in the early months. Can you call on some people in your family, community or network to help? Often with newborns, people are afraid of stepping on toes and love a clear request – ‘Can you stay with the baby while they nap while I walk with a friend?’. When we’re not used to asking for that time for ourselves, it can be tricky but try it out – we promise it gets easier with practice!

It’s not unusual to find parenting frustrating and really tricky at times – it’s totally normal, in fact! We really encourage you to reach out for support from your communities or on our forum. You’re never alone and sometimes sharing experiences can take a mental load off your mind (shout out to all the mamas who share their struggles openly!).

Of course, if you experience a constant low mood or anxiety, or some more extreme symptoms, we encourage you to seek professional support: speaking to your GP or Maternal Child Health Nurse can be a good place to start, and PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) have great resources as well as a free National helpline (1300 726 306). One in seven women in Australia experience postnatal depression – if this is you, you are not alone and help is available.

We see you mamas, and you’re doing a damn fine job. You deserve to take time to fill your cup!

Remember the days when a sleep in meant waking up past 9am? And now there are days when you see 7.03am and think ‘Thank heavens for my sleep in…’

While the reality is you probably won’t return to those regular long, lazy mornings languishing in bed with a coffee or a book anytime soon, there are many practical ways to help if your little one is a super early riser.

Now, first things first. When we talk about babies and toddlers, an ‘early riser’ is not a baby who is up at 6.30am after a 12-hour sleep. That’s a definite win in baby-and-toddler-parent land. We’re talking about when your bundle of joy is beating the roosters to greet the day.

Of course, your baby or toddler will naturally go through disruptions and unsettled periods – teething, changes to routine, developmental leaps and stages. A few early mornings are not cause for concern. If your little ones’ early rising (before 6am) has carried on consistently for over a week, and you want to try and shuffle the wake time forward, here are some things to look at and address:

Sound: Are there noisy birds right outside your baby’s window? Neighbours revving their engine when leaving at the crack of dawn? An early alarm clock going off for another member of the family? There’s nothing like an external noise waking your peacefully sleeping baby, and while some things are truly out of your control, you can always try turning up the white noise machine to drown out some of the unavoidable noises. If you don’t have one already, we have a great little portable sound machine.

Temperature: Often the temperature can drop in the early morning – while we can easily pull up another blanket ourselves, babies don’t have this luxury. Being too hot can also be an issue. Check that the room is around 19-22 degrees, and that the sleeping bag TOG is appropriate for the climate and heating situation in your home. Plenty of brands that make sleeping bags have great resources about the ideal temperature and layers needed under their sleeping bags.

Light: Let there be… dark! A dark room increases production of melatonin, the sleepy hormone. Light sneaking in can affect quality of sleep, and your little ones’ ability to resettle themselves. As they get older, they may become distracted if they can see their toys, books, or shadows playing on the wall (it’s mind blowing how many creatures a two-year-old can see in the shadows…).

Aim for a totally dark room, if this is not possible with your existing blinds/curtains you can try blackout blinds, like these.

Hunger: Now unless you’re into intermittent fasting, most adults would not go for 12 or 13 hours between meals (or some pre bed toast or choccie biscuits). This is often the gap babies will go between feeds/meals so it is not surprising that many wake early due to hunger. Take a look to ensure they’re getting sufficient sustenance during the day – for smaller babes, check the milk/formula feeds recommended for their age and weight, and once solids are in the mix, check their protein and carbohydrate needs are met. Load then up with sufficient sustenance in the day to increase your chances of a ‘sleep in’.

It’s worth saying that some children simply are early risers – like some adults continue to be. Some babies or toddlers can happily start their day at 5.30am. Also, if your little one’s morning wake up time suits your family, and they’re getting enough sleep for their age, then that’s fine! Babies are not robots and nor are families. If you’re getting enough sleep, and everyone is healthy and content, there is no reason to change things.

There are a number of other factors to consider if the above don’t seem to make a difference. There’s plenty more information in our Sleep Guides, with complete checklists to cross off.

And if not, there’s a coffee with your name on it mama, you’re doing an excellent job.

The Sleepy Checklist

When you’re sleep deprived, your brain can’t quite manage the same tasks it nails when you’re well rested, and unfortunately, problem solving is one of the things it will struggle with most!

So, if your child’s sleep is a big problem, but your brain is struggling to find an answer; what do you do?!

Well, if you’re anything like we were before we sleep trained, a big cry and a cuppa is what you do! Next up, we’d recommend buying the relevant Sleepy Guidelines for your child through our Sleepy App – the golden advice in these has worked wonders for so many families.

But, for something you can do right now, we’ve come up with a checklist of questions that may help you make a start on saving your family’s sleep. Run your eye over down these lists and see if you can figure out a change that might work for your babe and your family…

 Baby’s sleep environment

• Is it warm enough/cool enough?
• Is it as dark as it can possibly be?
• Do you have white noise or ambient sound?
• Do they have an age-appropriate comforter?
• Is it calm (boring) enough? An exciting room can keep baby awake just from looking around.
• Does the baby feel happy or sad when they enter their room? If sleep is stressful, you may need to create some positive associations with the room.

Before bed/nap time

• Is your baby hungry or thirsty? These can really mess with sleep!
• Do you have a pre-bed routine? A bit of quiet time, then book, a cuddle, a song?
• Is your baby exhibiting tired signs? (And do you know what their tired signs are? This is key!)
• Does your baby need to go down earlier/later?
• Have you talked up how great their room/bed/sleep is during the day?
• Do they need a fresh nappy before bed so wetting through doesn’t wake them?

During sleep time

• Does your baby wake after a certain amount of time?
• What’s waking your baby? If they’re hungry, tank them up. Cold – more layers. Hot – less layers!
• Do you have a plan for how you’ll resettle them back to sleep? Make sure everyone in the family is on board!
• If they’re upset – can you settle them while they stay in their cot?

After their nap/in the morning

• If they slept well, did you give them lots of praise?
• Do they need a little cuddle before re-entering the world?

Mum and dad

• Have you and your partner talked about how you’ll approach sleep?
• If mum is breastfeeding and therefore associated with food, can the other parent deal with overnight wakeups?
• Are you and your partner on the same page with what you’ll do about bedtime and wakeups?
• Have you done everything you can think of? Do you need some extra help?

This is not everything, but it’s hopefully enough to give you that ‘oh, I need to try such-and-such’ moment. And if you need a little extra assistance, sing out! We’re here to help.      

Have you ever walked from the nice calm world into a shop where the music is REALLY, REALLY LOUD? It’s so jarring!

 Well that, in reverse, is what happens to our babies. They’re in the womb, warm, snug and safe for 9 months. As their hearing develops, the sound of our bodies is constant for them – like a song that never ends, but a good one. Our heartbeat. Our blood. Our voice (and yes, even our car singing), their dad’s voice; they’re there for it all and it reassures them.

And when they finally land in your arms – it’s so QUIET without all that noise! This is why we swear by white noise for all baby sleeps. it is such a positive sleep association; it both soothes your baby and also lets them know now is a good time for sleep.

 Enter the Sleepy Portable Sound Machine; a handy, smart machine that offers 6 different soothing sounds for your baby:

♪          Lullaby

☔︎        Rain

♩          Shooshing sound

♥︎        Fetal heartbeat

༄               White noise

⚓︎        Ocean Waves

The machine is easily portable (has a clip for easy hanging), automatically enters sleep mode after 30 mins (saving battery), USB chargeable… the list goes on! But for us, the star of the show is that it is voice activated; when your baby makes noise, the sound kicks in! This feature could save you a whole resettle, and we know the less interrupted the sleep, the better.

Being compact and portable, it can go wherever you are. Hang it from the pram, pop it near baby in the car – use it as a message that even though they’re not in their nice comfy bed and dark room, that sleep is the next step for them.

So simple a dad could use it (sorry dads, we really do love you!), a colour scheme that will work with anything AND a sleep saviour? Run, don’t walk! You can find them here.

Red light and sleep – a match made in heaven

If you follow us on socials, you’ll know that we are big believers in dark rooms for baby sleep – and for babies up to 18 months that is certainly the case – but night lights do have a time and a place.

The time – like we said, after 18 months of age. For some children, this can be when the dark is full of scary unknowns, and when a nightlight can provide comfort for any of those night time wake ups – and hopefully stop them from getting out of bed!

So what sort of light? You’ve probably heard about the pitfalls of blue light (we admit – we sometimes use our phones before sleep but we also agree with the science behind this being a bad idea) – but what about red light?

Blue, white, or green light sources – however dim – can be detrimental to sleep as they emit blue light waves. Blue light is a stimulant that actually boosts attention and reaction times, which interrupt the production of melatonin (the sleepy hormone).

Here’s the secret that you need to know – red light is a higher wavelength and boosts melatonin production. Red light can help support good sleep! And it gives out enough light to reassure them they are home in bed and safe, without drawing them into being fully awake.

There are lots of ways to bring red light into your child’s sleep; our Sleepy Light is can provide one of four gentle warm/red-based light tones, sound machine, diffuser and humidifier all in one. You can also buy red light bulbs, or smart light bulbs that can be any colour, for a lamp you already have, or red wall plugs.

If you are looking for light that supports good sleep we urge you – think red!

The Baby Sleep School App was created after years of runaway success with the Baby Sleep School online sleep programs. The idea was born when founders Marissa Wallis and Amelia Lamont were struggling to get their own babies to sleep; they went the extra mile, both became qualified sleep consultants and started Baby Sleep School.

Together, Marissa and Amelia have helped thousands of families worldwide achieve sleep success with their popular online downloadable sleep programs.

But – they wanted to do more to help and support mums! In addition to offering many products and services to help teach babies great sleep habits, they have created an holistic approach to sleep training, with a focus on supporting mums to assist with their baby’s sleep. The Sleepy App is the key; one platform with all the information you need to achieve sleep success – easy, quick and ready to help at all times

Once you purchase a Baby Sleep School program (Newborn, 3-12 months, 12-24 months and Toddler) from our website, you will be sent a link to download the Sleepy App for free. You can then access your sleep program guide on the App, making finding that one priceless nugget of information that will help, that much easier.

Sleepy App – your sleep saviour

Need a sleep saviour in your pocket?

Your wish is our command! Free with a purchase of one of our Sleep Programs, our Sleepy App has all the help, support and resources you need to master baby sleep in one place. Info from our sleep programs? Tick! Community section and forum with chat room, to learn from other mamas in our community? Tick! And because we are passionate about women’s health – a wellness hub for YOU, because a well mama is a happy mama! Includes yoga videos, fitness info and breathing and mediation exercises… tick, tick, tick! You can also get access to bonus content for all age groups, including info on regressions, first aid, sleep safety, settling techniques and more. TICK! Some of these are paid features; you can find out more about that below.

Download the Sleepy App today, available on: 

• IOS
• Google Play

Why should I pay for the additional monthly subscription fee? What extra help am I getting?

The Sleepy App is designed to be a simple way to access all your baby sleep requirements from one platform. The subscription fee is based on providing you with additional functions to support you through sleep training your baby, including the community forum, chat, additional resources and wellness hub.

The difference between a sleep program and the Sleepy App is that the app allows parents to access the program through the app and pay for additional features and services if you require more support. You can also purchase programs through at the app, as your baby grows and develops.

The additional features included in a subscription include:

 Community forum

The Community Forum is a virtual chat room; it is similar to our wonderful Facebook community with more one-on-one support. Certified sleep consultants will be available during peak times to answer your questions and assist you throughout the day when things don’t quite go to plan! Don’t underestimate the power of community!

Wellness hub

The Wellness hub was created to provide Mums with the tools to take some time out for themselves. We are HUGE believers in the benefits of a healthy body and healthy mind, especially for mums. The benefits of exercise include better sleep, improved memory and higher energy levels; it also improves mental health and helps to protect women from conditions like anxiety and depression. Currently in Australia, as many as 1 in 3 women will experience anxiety in their lifetime, and being active can serve as a powerful tool for preventing and managing symptoms associated with this condition.

Remember – it is NOT selfish to prioritise your health!

When it comes to health and fitness advice, it’s important to get the right advice from a qualified professional – that’s why we are working with Renee McGeoch, a qualified post-partum fitness instructor and absolute gem, to deliver safe and effective exercises. Our movement sessions will be mainly interval training and include activation and mobility exercises.

 Our yoga and meditation classes are beautiful and relaxing, allowing deep stretching and breathing for a slower pace. Our yoga instructor, the gorgeous Beth has created some incredible videos for you to access 24/7 and work at your own pace in the comfort of your own home.

If you’re not sure if you are ready for these kinds of activities, please consult a health professional before starting.

Additional resources

These are like the bonus track on your favourite album…. The Additional resources section was created because after years of helping families, we realised there some questions we heard over and over. We kept track of them over the years and now we have answered all your pressing questions in the Additional resources section of the Sleepy App. Broken down into topics, these FAQ are a game-changer – you get access to some in-depth, step-by step knowledge from our experts.

The topics included in are:

• Pre-natal
• Newborn 
• 3 - 12 months
• 12 - 24 months
• 2 - 4 years
• Sleep safety
• Settling techniques
• Sleep regressions
• Developmental leaps
• Your mental health
• Sickness and illness
• First aid
• Sleep safety 101
• The science of sleep
• About us

In an Australian first, young parents will have access to highly sought after sleep support for their babies, as part of a new partnership between the Brave Foundation and Baby Sleep School.

Sleep deprivation is a common complaint of new parents, but for those who are still navigating their teenage years, the transition to parenthood can be infinitely more challenging.

Baby Sleep School has joined forces with the Brave Foundation to provide free and on-going sleep help to families in need of support. Those involved in the new initiative will receive a personalised sleep plan, detailed advice around their babies sleeping needs at every age, and access to Baby Sleep School’s team of qualified baby sleep consultants.

“In the past 10 years almost 80,000 new mothers were aged under 20 at the time of the birth of their children, and like all new parents they need a village of support around them as they embark on their parenting journey,” said Brave Foundation CEO Jill Roche.

“We are so pleased to create this partnership with Baby Sleep School to ensure young parents are also provided with valuable guidance around their child’s sleep. Now participants in Brave’s program will be able to access additional help to ensure that they, and their children, are getting the rest they need in a safe and supported way.”

The Brave Foundation is a not- for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting these mothers and fathers from pregnancy and through the early years of parenting, and now sleep support will be added to the list of resources, education and referrals that Brave provides.

Recent statistics show more than 5-thousand babies are born in Australia each year to mothers under the age of 20.

”The data is clear - young mothers are one of Australia’s most disadvantaged groups,” said Marissa Wallis, founder and CEO of Baby Sleep School.

“Parenthood is demanding,and young parents face many of the same challenges as other parents, as well as other adversities''. We want to help these young parents by increasing their parenting skills and giving them confidence”.

The role of the qualified Baby Sleep Consultants at Baby Sleep School will be understanding the individual Parents' needs arising from their personal history and current life situation. As well as the shared and individual needs of young parents to then develop services that respond to these needs.

“We want to ensure these mothers and fathers are far better supported, and one of the ways we can do that is by providing education and information around a baby’s sleeping and feeding needs,” she said.

“There is significant research to show sleep deprivation increases the likelihood of things like brain fog, mood swings, and post-natal anxiety and depression, so supporting these young parents to improve their baby’s sleep - and in turn their own - is imperative.

To learn more about the Brave Foundation, visit bravefoundation.org.au

Baby Sleep School can be found at sleepschool.co

Mothers have been teaching their babies to sleep since the dawn of time. From rocking them to replicate the movement they would have felt in the womb, to gently resettling them when they need more than a catnap, and everything in between – mothers know sleep is important to a baby’s growth and development.

In the traditional village setting of the past, women would share hard-won experience knowledge with one another in the course of their days– ‘This worked for my baby’, or ‘Have you tried making a ‘shusssh’ sound?’ – and each family would figure out what worked for them.

What we do at Baby Sleep School is kind of like a modern version of that – we share what we have learned, through education, our tribe, our experiences in helping families find healthy sleep habits and our personal experience with our own families. We want to help families who are crying out for better sleep – it’s as simple as that.

Sleep training always equals ‘cry it out’, doesn’t it?

No! Not at all. This is such a common misconception – there are so many ways to sleep train, and while some people and organisations recommend ‘cry it out’, which is based upon allowing a baby to cry for extended periods of time without providing hands on reassurance, we do not.

All sleep training/teaching systems are not the same. We offer practical and gentle sleep advice and take care to help parents understand their babies better, and about how to approach the different types of cries your baby may do in bed. Never ever will you hear us recommending you leave your baby to cry themselves to sleep.

Why is sleep so important?

Sleep isn’t a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a health and wellness must. And that goes for everyone – for babies, for mothers, for children – for adults! But we want to explore why sleep is something we can’t take for granted…

• for babies: so much of a baby’s growth and development happens when they sleep – most of their brain development happens during sleep, synapses are formed, memories stored – they’re busy when they’re sleeping! A rested baby also tends to eat better, which is key for development, as well as their general mood.
  
• for mothers: the wellbeing of mothers is vital to the wellbeing of their babies. There are so many mums out there that are exhausted, overextended and pouring from an empty cup. When baby sleeps well, everyone sleeps well, resulting in happier, more resilient parents! Poor sleep can affect every part of an adult’s life, and make life so much harder than it needs to be. We genuinely believe, and have seen, that good sleep makes for much happier families and especially mums – as well as beautiful, happy, bouncing babies.

Should everyone sleep train?

Goodness no! Some people will want to, like we did when we needed help teaching our first babies to sleep, and some people won’t – and that’s totally fine! Sleep training, like everything parenting, is not a ‘one size fits all’ situation. Our guidelines are just that – guidelines! We aim to provide parents with gentle tools, tips and most importantly, a range of different options, to help their baby achieve the sleep they need for healthy development and growth.

We strongly recommend people do what works for them – their baby, their family, their own comfort zone and intuition.

Is it ok to sleep train?

Yes! We think so – we have dedicated years and years to sleep training our children and helping thousands of families achieve better sleep in a gentle, flexible way.

It is fine to sleep train your baby as long as you are following safe sleep rules and being safe generally. It is fine not to sleep train your baby. What is not fine is make others feel bad about how they choose to deal with sleep, so be kind to all mums, no matter their approach – it’s a tough job and everyone is doing their best.

‘Put on your own mask first, before helping others’ – those word will be familiar to anyone who has ever boarded a plane (remember that?! The good old days hey). But when was the last time you stopped to make sure you were fitting your own mask, before tending to your little ones?

The advice is nothing new, but when push comes to shove – it can be seriously hard to prioritise your needs over those of your little ones even sometimes.

Parenting, and the juggles that come with it, can be intense – whether you’re a working mama, running a home, studying between feeds, running a farm, balancing blended families. Having these little people rely on us is a joy and a privilege but it can also be seriously challenging, and demanding in ways we never even dreamed of! (Who knew you can cut toast into the ‘wrong’ kind of triangles? Or that it is possible to cry and scream simultaneously?)

You can’t pour from an empty cup, and it is so important that as mamas we find some time to fill up our own stores of energy and joy. Especially in these challenging times – lockdowns, alarming world news – your wellbeing truly does matter. We talk about this more in the Mindful Parenting sections of our Sleep Guides – we can’t help regulate a baby (and their sleep) if we are not emotionally regulated ourselves!

So, we’re not saying that you need to book in a hot stone massage or rosé-fuelled long lunch (although now you mention it…) – it can be as simple as writing a quick hit list of small, achievable things that you know fill YOUR cup.

An hour curled up in bed streaming your fave show, a coffee and walk with a girlfriend, reading your book instead of tidying when the baby naps. Blasting 90s pop and shaking off some of the stress, calling an old friend, meditating. It doesn’t matter so much what it is, but that it is for you, and brings you some joy.

In turn, you’ll have some more patience, more energy, more joy – and that benefits the whole family, not just you.

Parents of newborns – we know finding time for you can be challenging especially in the early months. Can you call on some people in your family, community or network to help? Often with newborns, people are afraid of stepping on toes and love a clear request – ‘Can you stay with the baby while they nap while I walk with a friend?’. When we’re not used to asking for that time for ourselves, it can be tricky but try it out – we promise it gets easier with practice!

It’s not unusual to find parenting frustrating and really tricky at times – it’s totally normal, in fact! We really encourage you to reach out for support from your communities or on our forum. You’re never alone and sometimes sharing experiences can take a mental load off your mind (shout out to all the mamas who share their struggles openly!).

Of course, if you experience a constant low mood or anxiety, or some more extreme symptoms, we encourage you to seek professional support: speaking to your GP or Maternal Child Health Nurse can be a good place to start, and PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) have great resources as well as a free National helpline (1300 726 306). One in seven women in Australia experience postnatal depression – if this is you, you are not alone and help is available.

We see you mamas, and you’re doing a damn fine job. You deserve to take time to fill your cup!

Remember the days when a sleep in meant waking up past 9am? And now there are days when you see 7.03am and think ‘Thank heavens for my sleep in…’

While the reality is you probably won’t return to those regular long, lazy mornings languishing in bed with a coffee or a book anytime soon, there are many practical ways to help if your little one is a super early riser.

Now, first things first. When we talk about babies and toddlers, an ‘early riser’ is not a baby who is up at 6.30am after a 12-hour sleep. That’s a definite win in baby-and-toddler-parent land. We’re talking about when your bundle of joy is beating the roosters to greet the day.

Of course, your baby or toddler will naturally go through disruptions and unsettled periods – teething, changes to routine, developmental leaps and stages. A few early mornings are not cause for concern. If your little ones’ early rising (before 6am) has carried on consistently for over a week, and you want to try and shuffle the wake time forward, here are some things to look at and address:

Sound: Are there noisy birds right outside your baby’s window? Neighbours revving their engine when leaving at the crack of dawn? An early alarm clock going off for another member of the family? There’s nothing like an external noise waking your peacefully sleeping baby, and while some things are truly out of your control, you can always try turning up the white noise machine to drown out some of the unavoidable noises. If you don’t have one already, we have a great little portable sound machine.

Temperature: Often the temperature can drop in the early morning – while we can easily pull up another blanket ourselves, babies don’t have this luxury. Being too hot can also be an issue. Check that the room is around 19-22 degrees, and that the sleeping bag TOG is appropriate for the climate and heating situation in your home. Plenty of brands that make sleeping bags have great resources about the ideal temperature and layers needed under their sleeping bags.

Light: Let there be… dark! A dark room increases production of melatonin, the sleepy hormone. Light sneaking in can affect quality of sleep, and your little ones’ ability to resettle themselves. As they get older, they may become distracted if they can see their toys, books, or shadows playing on the wall (it’s mind blowing how many creatures a two-year-old can see in the shadows…).

Aim for a totally dark room, if this is not possible with your existing blinds/curtains you can try blackout blinds, like these.

Hunger: Now unless you’re into intermittent fasting, most adults would not go for 12 or 13 hours between meals (or some pre bed toast or choccie biscuits). This is often the gap babies will go between feeds/meals so it is not surprising that many wake early due to hunger. Take a look to ensure they’re getting sufficient sustenance during the day – for smaller babes, check the milk/formula feeds recommended for their age and weight, and once solids are in the mix, check their protein and carbohydrate needs are met. Load then up with sufficient sustenance in the day to increase your chances of a ‘sleep in’.

It’s worth saying that some children simply are early risers – like some adults continue to be. Some babies or toddlers can happily start their day at 5.30am. Also, if your little one’s morning wake up time suits your family, and they’re getting enough sleep for their age, then that’s fine! Babies are not robots and nor are families. If you’re getting enough sleep, and everyone is healthy and content, there is no reason to change things.

There are a number of other factors to consider if the above don’t seem to make a difference. There’s plenty more information in our Sleep Guides, with complete checklists to cross off.

And if not, there’s a coffee with your name on it mama, you’re doing an excellent job.

Have you ever walked from the nice calm world into a shop where the music is REALLY, REALLY LOUD? It’s so jarring!

 Well that, in reverse, is what happens to our babies. They’re in the womb, warm, snug and safe for 9 months. As their hearing develops, the sound of our bodies is constant for them – like a song that never ends, but a good one. Our heartbeat. Our blood. Our voice (and yes, even our car singing), their dad’s voice; they’re there for it all and it reassures them.

And when they finally land in your arms – it’s so QUIET without all that noise! This is why we swear by white noise for all baby sleeps. it is such a positive sleep association; it both soothes your baby and also lets them know now is a good time for sleep.

 Enter the Sleepy Portable Sound Machine; a handy, smart machine that offers 6 different soothing sounds for your baby:

♪          Lullaby

☔︎        Rain

♩          Shooshing sound

♥︎        Fetal heartbeat

༄               White noise

⚓︎        Ocean Waves

The machine is easily portable (has a clip for easy hanging), automatically enters sleep mode after 30 mins (saving battery), USB chargeable… the list goes on! But for us, the star of the show is that it is voice activated; when your baby makes noise, the sound kicks in! This feature could save you a whole resettle, and we know the less interrupted the sleep, the better.

Being compact and portable, it can go wherever you are. Hang it from the pram, pop it near baby in the car – use it as a message that even though they’re not in their nice comfy bed and dark room, that sleep is the next step for them.

So simple a dad could use it (sorry dads, we really do love you!), a colour scheme that will work with anything AND a sleep saviour? Run, don’t walk! You can find them here.

Red light and sleep – a match made in heaven

If you follow us on socials, you’ll know that we are big believers in dark rooms for baby sleep – and for babies up to 18 months that is certainly the case – but night lights do have a time and a place.

The time – like we said, after 18 months of age. For some children, this can be when the dark is full of scary unknowns, and when a nightlight can provide comfort for any of those night time wake ups – and hopefully stop them from getting out of bed!

So what sort of light? You’ve probably heard about the pitfalls of blue light (we admit – we sometimes use our phones before sleep but we also agree with the science behind this being a bad idea) – but what about red light?

Blue, white, or green light sources – however dim – can be detrimental to sleep as they emit blue light waves. Blue light is a stimulant that actually boosts attention and reaction times, which interrupt the production of melatonin (the sleepy hormone).

Here’s the secret that you need to know – red light is a higher wavelength and boosts melatonin production. Red light can help support good sleep! And it gives out enough light to reassure them they are home in bed and safe, without drawing them into being fully awake.

There are lots of ways to bring red light into your child’s sleep; our Sleepy Light is can provide one of four gentle warm/red-based light tones, sound machine, diffuser and humidifier all in one. You can also buy red light bulbs, or smart light bulbs that can be any colour, for a lamp you already have, or red wall plugs.

If you are looking for light that supports good sleep we urge you – think red!

The Baby Sleep School App was created after years of runaway success with the Baby Sleep School online sleep programs. The idea was born when founders Marissa Wallis and Amelia Lamont were struggling to get their own babies to sleep; they went the extra mile, both became qualified sleep consultants and started Baby Sleep School.

Together, Marissa and Amelia have helped thousands of families worldwide achieve sleep success with their popular online downloadable sleep programs.

But – they wanted to do more to help and support mums! In addition to offering many products and services to help teach babies great sleep habits, they have created an holistic approach to sleep training, with a focus on supporting mums to assist with their baby’s sleep. The Sleepy App is the key; one platform with all the information you need to achieve sleep success – easy, quick and ready to help at all times

Once you purchase a Baby Sleep School program (Newborn, 3-12 months, 12-24 months and Toddler) from our website, you will be sent a link to download the Sleepy App for free. You can then access your sleep program guide on the App, making finding that one priceless nugget of information that will help, that much easier.

Sleepy App – your sleep saviour

Need a sleep saviour in your pocket?

Your wish is our command! Free with a purchase of one of our Sleep Programs, our Sleepy App has all the help, support and resources you need to master baby sleep in one place. Info from our sleep programs? Tick! Community section and forum with chat room, to learn from other mamas in our community? Tick! And because we are passionate about women’s health – a wellness hub for YOU, because a well mama is a happy mama! Includes yoga videos, fitness info and breathing and mediation exercises… tick, tick, tick! You can also get access to bonus content for all age groups, including info on regressions, first aid, sleep safety, settling techniques and more. TICK! Some of these are paid features; you can find out more about that below.

Download the Sleepy App today, available on: 

• IOS
• Google Play

Why should I pay for the additional monthly subscription fee? What extra help am I getting?

The Sleepy App is designed to be a simple way to access all your baby sleep requirements from one platform. The subscription fee is based on providing you with additional functions to support you through sleep training your baby, including the community forum, chat, additional resources and wellness hub.

The difference between a sleep program and the Sleepy App is that the app allows parents to access the program through the app and pay for additional features and services if you require more support. You can also purchase programs through at the app, as your baby grows and develops.

The additional features included in a subscription include:

 Community forum

The Community Forum is a virtual chat room; it is similar to our wonderful Facebook community with more one-on-one support. Certified sleep consultants will be available during peak times to answer your questions and assist you throughout the day when things don’t quite go to plan! Don’t underestimate the power of community!

Wellness hub

The Wellness hub was created to provide Mums with the tools to take some time out for themselves. We are HUGE believers in the benefits of a healthy body and healthy mind, especially for mums. The benefits of exercise include better sleep, improved memory and higher energy levels; it also improves mental health and helps to protect women from conditions like anxiety and depression. Currently in Australia, as many as 1 in 3 women will experience anxiety in their lifetime, and being active can serve as a powerful tool for preventing and managing symptoms associated with this condition.

Remember – it is NOT selfish to prioritise your health!

When it comes to health and fitness advice, it’s important to get the right advice from a qualified professional – that’s why we are working with Renee McGeoch, a qualified post-partum fitness instructor and absolute gem, to deliver safe and effective exercises. Our movement sessions will be mainly interval training and include activation and mobility exercises.

 Our yoga and meditation classes are beautiful and relaxing, allowing deep stretching and breathing for a slower pace. Our yoga instructor, the gorgeous Beth has created some incredible videos for you to access 24/7 and work at your own pace in the comfort of your own home.

If you’re not sure if you are ready for these kinds of activities, please consult a health professional before starting.

Additional resources

These are like the bonus track on your favourite album…. The Additional resources section was created because after years of helping families, we realised there some questions we heard over and over. We kept track of them over the years and now we have answered all your pressing questions in the Additional resources section of the Sleepy App. Broken down into topics, these FAQ are a game-changer – you get access to some in-depth, step-by step knowledge from our experts.

The topics included in are:

• Pre-natal
• Newborn 
• 3 - 12 months
• 12 - 24 months
• 2 - 4 years
• Sleep safety
• Settling techniques
• Sleep regressions
• Developmental leaps
• Your mental health
• Sickness and illness
• First aid
• Sleep safety 101
• The science of sleep
• About us

Being a stay at home mums is by far the hardest job in the world. It’s selfless, tiring, worthwhile & at times isolating .. make sure you spend as much time outside of your house enjoying the sunshine and fresh air and organise catch ups with friends as regularly as possible. Your sanity needs it & it is good for bub too .. If you are worried about your social life interfering with your baby’s routine then don’t.. Get out between naps & no big deal if your social life takes over nap time here or there .. our every second day rule will have you feeling much more relaxed about sleep & will see you enjoying more of motherhood then ever before 🌙 happy Monday Mumma’s x

In an Australian first, young parents will have access to highly sought after sleep support for their babies, as part of a new partnership between the Brave Foundation and Baby Sleep School.

Sleep deprivation is a common complaint of new parents, but for those who are still navigating their teenage years, the transition to parenthood can be infinitely more challenging.

Baby Sleep School has joined forces with the Brave Foundation to provide free and on-going sleep help to families in need of support. Those involved in the new initiative will receive a personalised sleep plan, detailed advice around their babies sleeping needs at every age, and access to Baby Sleep School’s team of qualified baby sleep consultants.

“In the past 10 years almost 80,000 new mothers were aged under 20 at the time of the birth of their children, and like all new parents they need a village of support around them as they embark on their parenting journey,” said Brave Foundation CEO Jill Roche.

“We are so pleased to create this partnership with Baby Sleep School to ensure young parents are also provided with valuable guidance around their child’s sleep. Now participants in Brave’s program will be able to access additional help to ensure that they, and their children, are getting the rest they need in a safe and supported way.”

The Brave Foundation is a not- for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting these mothers and fathers from pregnancy and through the early years of parenting, and now sleep support will be added to the list of resources, education and referrals that Brave provides.

Recent statistics show more than 5-thousand babies are born in Australia each year to mothers under the age of 20.

”The data is clear - young mothers are one of Australia’s most disadvantaged groups,” said Marissa Wallis, founder and CEO of Baby Sleep School.

“Parenthood is demanding,and young parents face many of the same challenges as other parents, as well as other adversities''. We want to help these young parents by increasing their parenting skills and giving them confidence”.

The role of the qualified Baby Sleep Consultants at Baby Sleep School will be understanding the individual Parents' needs arising from their personal history and current life situation. As well as the shared and individual needs of young parents to then develop services that respond to these needs.

“We want to ensure these mothers and fathers are far better supported, and one of the ways we can do that is by providing education and information around a baby’s sleeping and feeding needs,” she said.

“There is significant research to show sleep deprivation increases the likelihood of things like brain fog, mood swings, and post-natal anxiety and depression, so supporting these young parents to improve their baby’s sleep - and in turn their own - is imperative.

To learn more about the Brave Foundation, visit bravefoundation.org.au

Baby Sleep School can be found at sleepschool.co

Mothers have been teaching their babies to sleep since the dawn of time. From rocking them to replicate the movement they would have felt in the womb, to gently resettling them when they need more than a catnap, and everything in between – mothers know sleep is important to a baby’s growth and development.

In the traditional village setting of the past, women would share hard-won experience knowledge with one another in the course of their days– ‘This worked for my baby’, or ‘Have you tried making a ‘shusssh’ sound?’ – and each family would figure out what worked for them.

What we do at Baby Sleep School is kind of like a modern version of that – we share what we have learned, through education, our tribe, our experiences in helping families find healthy sleep habits and our personal experience with our own families. We want to help families who are crying out for better sleep – it’s as simple as that.

Sleep training always equals ‘cry it out’, doesn’t it?

No! Not at all. This is such a common misconception – there are so many ways to sleep train, and while some people and organisations recommend ‘cry it out’, which is based upon allowing a baby to cry for extended periods of time without providing hands on reassurance, we do not.

All sleep training/teaching systems are not the same. We offer practical and gentle sleep advice and take care to help parents understand their babies better, and about how to approach the different types of cries your baby may do in bed. Never ever will you hear us recommending you leave your baby to cry themselves to sleep.

Why is sleep so important?

Sleep isn’t a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a health and wellness must. And that goes for everyone – for babies, for mothers, for children – for adults! But we want to explore why sleep is something we can’t take for granted…

• for babies: so much of a baby’s growth and development happens when they sleep – most of their brain development happens during sleep, synapses are formed, memories stored – they’re busy when they’re sleeping! A rested baby also tends to eat better, which is key for development, as well as their general mood.
  
• for mothers: the wellbeing of mothers is vital to the wellbeing of their babies. There are so many mums out there that are exhausted, overextended and pouring from an empty cup. When baby sleeps well, everyone sleeps well, resulting in happier, more resilient parents! Poor sleep can affect every part of an adult’s life, and make life so much harder than it needs to be. We genuinely believe, and have seen, that good sleep makes for much happier families and especially mums – as well as beautiful, happy, bouncing babies.

Should everyone sleep train?

Goodness no! Some people will want to, like we did when we needed help teaching our first babies to sleep, and some people won’t – and that’s totally fine! Sleep training, like everything parenting, is not a ‘one size fits all’ situation. Our guidelines are just that – guidelines! We aim to provide parents with gentle tools, tips and most importantly, a range of different options, to help their baby achieve the sleep they need for healthy development and growth.

We strongly recommend people do what works for them – their baby, their family, their own comfort zone and intuition.

Is it ok to sleep train?

Yes! We think so – we have dedicated years and years to sleep training our children and helping thousands of families achieve better sleep in a gentle, flexible way.

It is fine to sleep train your baby as long as you are following safe sleep rules and being safe generally. It is fine not to sleep train your baby. What is not fine is make others feel bad about how they choose to deal with sleep, so be kind to all mums, no matter their approach – it’s a tough job and everyone is doing their best.

‘Put on your own mask first, before helping others’ – those word will be familiar to anyone who has ever boarded a plane (remember that?! The good old days hey). But when was the last time you stopped to make sure you were fitting your own mask, before tending to your little ones?

The advice is nothing new, but when push comes to shove – it can be seriously hard to prioritise your needs over those of your little ones even sometimes.

Parenting, and the juggles that come with it, can be intense – whether you’re a working mama, running a home, studying between feeds, running a farm, balancing blended families. Having these little people rely on us is a joy and a privilege but it can also be seriously challenging, and demanding in ways we never even dreamed of! (Who knew you can cut toast into the ‘wrong’ kind of triangles? Or that it is possible to cry and scream simultaneously?)

You can’t pour from an empty cup, and it is so important that as mamas we find some time to fill up our own stores of energy and joy. Especially in these challenging times – lockdowns, alarming world news – your wellbeing truly does matter. We talk about this more in the Mindful Parenting sections of our Sleep Guides – we can’t help regulate a baby (and their sleep) if we are not emotionally regulated ourselves!

So, we’re not saying that you need to book in a hot stone massage or rosé-fuelled long lunch (although now you mention it…) – it can be as simple as writing a quick hit list of small, achievable things that you know fill YOUR cup.

An hour curled up in bed streaming your fave show, a coffee and walk with a girlfriend, reading your book instead of tidying when the baby naps. Blasting 90s pop and shaking off some of the stress, calling an old friend, meditating. It doesn’t matter so much what it is, but that it is for you, and brings you some joy.

In turn, you’ll have some more patience, more energy, more joy – and that benefits the whole family, not just you.

Parents of newborns – we know finding time for you can be challenging especially in the early months. Can you call on some people in your family, community or network to help? Often with newborns, people are afraid of stepping on toes and love a clear request – ‘Can you stay with the baby while they nap while I walk with a friend?’. When we’re not used to asking for that time for ourselves, it can be tricky but try it out – we promise it gets easier with practice!

It’s not unusual to find parenting frustrating and really tricky at times – it’s totally normal, in fact! We really encourage you to reach out for support from your communities or on our forum. You’re never alone and sometimes sharing experiences can take a mental load off your mind (shout out to all the mamas who share their struggles openly!).

Of course, if you experience a constant low mood or anxiety, or some more extreme symptoms, we encourage you to seek professional support: speaking to your GP or Maternal Child Health Nurse can be a good place to start, and PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) have great resources as well as a free National helpline (1300 726 306). One in seven women in Australia experience postnatal depression – if this is you, you are not alone and help is available.

We see you mamas, and you’re doing a damn fine job. You deserve to take time to fill your cup!

Remember the days when a sleep in meant waking up past 9am? And now there are days when you see 7.03am and think ‘Thank heavens for my sleep in…’

While the reality is you probably won’t return to those regular long, lazy mornings languishing in bed with a coffee or a book anytime soon, there are many practical ways to help if your little one is a super early riser.

Now, first things first. When we talk about babies and toddlers, an ‘early riser’ is not a baby who is up at 6.30am after a 12-hour sleep. That’s a definite win in baby-and-toddler-parent land. We’re talking about when your bundle of joy is beating the roosters to greet the day.

Of course, your baby or toddler will naturally go through disruptions and unsettled periods – teething, changes to routine, developmental leaps and stages. A few early mornings are not cause for concern. If your little ones’ early rising (before 6am) has carried on consistently for over a week, and you want to try and shuffle the wake time forward, here are some things to look at and address:

Sound: Are there noisy birds right outside your baby’s window? Neighbours revving their engine when leaving at the crack of dawn? An early alarm clock going off for another member of the family? There’s nothing like an external noise waking your peacefully sleeping baby, and while some things are truly out of your control, you can always try turning up the white noise machine to drown out some of the unavoidable noises. If you don’t have one already, we have a great little portable sound machine.

Temperature: Often the temperature can drop in the early morning – while we can easily pull up another blanket ourselves, babies don’t have this luxury. Being too hot can also be an issue. Check that the room is around 19-22 degrees, and that the sleeping bag TOG is appropriate for the climate and heating situation in your home. Plenty of brands that make sleeping bags have great resources about the ideal temperature and layers needed under their sleeping bags.

Light: Let there be… dark! A dark room increases production of melatonin, the sleepy hormone. Light sneaking in can affect quality of sleep, and your little ones’ ability to resettle themselves. As they get older, they may become distracted if they can see their toys, books, or shadows playing on the wall (it’s mind blowing how many creatures a two-year-old can see in the shadows…).

Aim for a totally dark room, if this is not possible with your existing blinds/curtains you can try blackout blinds, like these.

Hunger: Now unless you’re into intermittent fasting, most adults would not go for 12 or 13 hours between meals (or some pre bed toast or choccie biscuits). This is often the gap babies will go between feeds/meals so it is not surprising that many wake early due to hunger. Take a look to ensure they’re getting sufficient sustenance during the day – for smaller babes, check the milk/formula feeds recommended for their age and weight, and once solids are in the mix, check their protein and carbohydrate needs are met. Load then up with sufficient sustenance in the day to increase your chances of a ‘sleep in’.

It’s worth saying that some children simply are early risers – like some adults continue to be. Some babies or toddlers can happily start their day at 5.30am. Also, if your little one’s morning wake up time suits your family, and they’re getting enough sleep for their age, then that’s fine! Babies are not robots and nor are families. If you’re getting enough sleep, and everyone is healthy and content, there is no reason to change things.

There are a number of other factors to consider if the above don’t seem to make a difference. There’s plenty more information in our Sleep Guides, with complete checklists to cross off.

And if not, there’s a coffee with your name on it mama, you’re doing an excellent job.

The Sleepy Checklist

When you’re sleep deprived, your brain can’t quite manage the same tasks it nails when you’re well rested, and unfortunately, problem solving is one of the things it will struggle with most!

So, if your child’s sleep is a big problem, but your brain is struggling to find an answer; what do you do?!

Well, if you’re anything like we were before we sleep trained, a big cry and a cuppa is what you do! Next up, we’d recommend buying the relevant Sleepy Guidelines for your child through our Sleepy App – the golden advice in these has worked wonders for so many families.

But, for something you can do right now, we’ve come up with a checklist of questions that may help you make a start on saving your family’s sleep. Run your eye over down these lists and see if you can figure out a change that might work for your babe and your family…

 Baby’s sleep environment

• Is it warm enough/cool enough?
• Is it as dark as it can possibly be?
• Do you have white noise or ambient sound?
• Do they have an age-appropriate comforter?
• Is it calm (boring) enough? An exciting room can keep baby awake just from looking around.
• Does the baby feel happy or sad when they enter their room? If sleep is stressful, you may need to create some positive associations with the room.

Before bed/nap time

• Is your baby hungry or thirsty? These can really mess with sleep!
• Do you have a pre-bed routine? A bit of quiet time, then book, a cuddle, a song?
• Is your baby exhibiting tired signs? (And do you know what their tired signs are? This is key!)
• Does your baby need to go down earlier/later?
• Have you talked up how great their room/bed/sleep is during the day?
• Do they need a fresh nappy before bed so wetting through doesn’t wake them?

During sleep time

• Does your baby wake after a certain amount of time?
• What’s waking your baby? If they’re hungry, tank them up. Cold – more layers. Hot – less layers!
• Do you have a plan for how you’ll resettle them back to sleep? Make sure everyone in the family is on board!
• If they’re upset – can you settle them while they stay in their cot?

After their nap/in the morning

• If they slept well, did you give them lots of praise?
• Do they need a little cuddle before re-entering the world?

Mum and dad

• Have you and your partner talked about how you’ll approach sleep?
• If mum is breastfeeding and therefore associated with food, can the other parent deal with overnight wakeups?
• Are you and your partner on the same page with what you’ll do about bedtime and wakeups?
• Have you done everything you can think of? Do you need some extra help?

This is not everything, but it’s hopefully enough to give you that ‘oh, I need to try such-and-such’ moment. And if you need a little extra assistance, sing out! We’re here to help.      

Have you ever walked from the nice calm world into a shop where the music is REALLY, REALLY LOUD? It’s so jarring!

 Well that, in reverse, is what happens to our babies. They’re in the womb, warm, snug and safe for 9 months. As their hearing develops, the sound of our bodies is constant for them – like a song that never ends, but a good one. Our heartbeat. Our blood. Our voice (and yes, even our car singing), their dad’s voice; they’re there for it all and it reassures them.

And when they finally land in your arms – it’s so QUIET without all that noise! This is why we swear by white noise for all baby sleeps. it is such a positive sleep association; it both soothes your baby and also lets them know now is a good time for sleep.

 Enter the Sleepy Portable Sound Machine; a handy, smart machine that offers 6 different soothing sounds for your baby:

♪          Lullaby

☔︎        Rain

♩          Shooshing sound

♥︎        Fetal heartbeat

༄               White noise

⚓︎        Ocean Waves

The machine is easily portable (has a clip for easy hanging), automatically enters sleep mode after 30 mins (saving battery), USB chargeable… the list goes on! But for us, the star of the show is that it is voice activated; when your baby makes noise, the sound kicks in! This feature could save you a whole resettle, and we know the less interrupted the sleep, the better.

Being compact and portable, it can go wherever you are. Hang it from the pram, pop it near baby in the car – use it as a message that even though they’re not in their nice comfy bed and dark room, that sleep is the next step for them.

So simple a dad could use it (sorry dads, we really do love you!), a colour scheme that will work with anything AND a sleep saviour? Run, don’t walk! You can find them here.

Red light and sleep – a match made in heaven

If you follow us on socials, you’ll know that we are big believers in dark rooms for baby sleep – and for babies up to 18 months that is certainly the case – but night lights do have a time and a place.

The time – like we said, after 18 months of age. For some children, this can be when the dark is full of scary unknowns, and when a nightlight can provide comfort for any of those night time wake ups – and hopefully stop them from getting out of bed!

So what sort of light? You’ve probably heard about the pitfalls of blue light (we admit – we sometimes use our phones before sleep but we also agree with the science behind this being a bad idea) – but what about red light?

Blue, white, or green light sources – however dim – can be detrimental to sleep as they emit blue light waves. Blue light is a stimulant that actually boosts attention and reaction times, which interrupt the production of melatonin (the sleepy hormone).

Here’s the secret that you need to know – red light is a higher wavelength and boosts melatonin production. Red light can help support good sleep! And it gives out enough light to reassure them they are home in bed and safe, without drawing them into being fully awake.

There are lots of ways to bring red light into your child’s sleep; our Sleepy Light is can provide one of four gentle warm/red-based light tones, sound machine, diffuser and humidifier all in one. You can also buy red light bulbs, or smart light bulbs that can be any colour, for a lamp you already have, or red wall plugs.

If you are looking for light that supports good sleep we urge you – think red!

The Baby Sleep School App was created after years of runaway success with the Baby Sleep School online sleep programs. The idea was born when founders Marissa Wallis and Amelia Lamont were struggling to get their own babies to sleep; they went the extra mile, both became qualified sleep consultants and started Baby Sleep School.

Together, Marissa and Amelia have helped thousands of families worldwide achieve sleep success with their popular online downloadable sleep programs.

But – they wanted to do more to help and support mums! In addition to offering many products and services to help teach babies great sleep habits, they have created an holistic approach to sleep training, with a focus on supporting mums to assist with their baby’s sleep. The Sleepy App is the key; one platform with all the information you need to achieve sleep success – easy, quick and ready to help at all times

Once you purchase a Baby Sleep School program (Newborn, 3-12 months, 12-24 months and Toddler) from our website, you will be sent a link to download the Sleepy App for free. You can then access your sleep program guide on the App, making finding that one priceless nugget of information that will help, that much easier.

Sleepy App – your sleep saviour

Need a sleep saviour in your pocket?

Your wish is our command! Free with a purchase of one of our Sleep Programs, our Sleepy App has all the help, support and resources you need to master baby sleep in one place. Info from our sleep programs? Tick! Community section and forum with chat room, to learn from other mamas in our community? Tick! And because we are passionate about women’s health – a wellness hub for YOU, because a well mama is a happy mama! Includes yoga videos, fitness info and breathing and mediation exercises… tick, tick, tick! You can also get access to bonus content for all age groups, including info on regressions, first aid, sleep safety, settling techniques and more. TICK! Some of these are paid features; you can find out more about that below.

Download the Sleepy App today, available on: 

• IOS
• Google Play

Why should I pay for the additional monthly subscription fee? What extra help am I getting?

The Sleepy App is designed to be a simple way to access all your baby sleep requirements from one platform. The subscription fee is based on providing you with additional functions to support you through sleep training your baby, including the community forum, chat, additional resources and wellness hub.

The difference between a sleep program and the Sleepy App is that the app allows parents to access the program through the app and pay for additional features and services if you require more support. You can also purchase programs through at the app, as your baby grows and develops.

The additional features included in a subscription include:

 Community forum

The Community Forum is a virtual chat room; it is similar to our wonderful Facebook community with more one-on-one support. Certified sleep consultants will be available during peak times to answer your questions and assist you throughout the day when things don’t quite go to plan! Don’t underestimate the power of community!

Wellness hub

The Wellness hub was created to provide Mums with the tools to take some time out for themselves. We are HUGE believers in the benefits of a healthy body and healthy mind, especially for mums. The benefits of exercise include better sleep, improved memory and higher energy levels; it also improves mental health and helps to protect women from conditions like anxiety and depression. Currently in Australia, as many as 1 in 3 women will experience anxiety in their lifetime, and being active can serve as a powerful tool for preventing and managing symptoms associated with this condition.

Remember – it is NOT selfish to prioritise your health!

When it comes to health and fitness advice, it’s important to get the right advice from a qualified professional – that’s why we are working with Renee McGeoch, a qualified post-partum fitness instructor and absolute gem, to deliver safe and effective exercises. Our movement sessions will be mainly interval training and include activation and mobility exercises.

 Our yoga and meditation classes are beautiful and relaxing, allowing deep stretching and breathing for a slower pace. Our yoga instructor, the gorgeous Beth has created some incredible videos for you to access 24/7 and work at your own pace in the comfort of your own home.

If you’re not sure if you are ready for these kinds of activities, please consult a health professional before starting.

Additional resources

These are like the bonus track on your favourite album…. The Additional resources section was created because after years of helping families, we realised there some questions we heard over and over. We kept track of them over the years and now we have answered all your pressing questions in the Additional resources section of the Sleepy App. Broken down into topics, these FAQ are a game-changer – you get access to some in-depth, step-by step knowledge from our experts.

The topics included in are:

• Pre-natal
• Newborn 
• 3 - 12 months
• 12 - 24 months
• 2 - 4 years
• Sleep safety
• Settling techniques
• Sleep regressions
• Developmental leaps
• Your mental health
• Sickness and illness
• First aid
• Sleep safety 101
• The science of sleep
• About us

Being a stay at home mums is by far the hardest job in the world. It’s selfless, tiring, worthwhile & at times isolating .. make sure you spend as much time outside of your house enjoying the sunshine and fresh air and organise catch ups with friends as regularly as possible. Your sanity needs it & it is good for bub too .. If you are worried about your social life interfering with your baby’s routine then don’t.. Get out between naps & no big deal if your social life takes over nap time here or there .. our every second day rule will have you feeling much more relaxed about sleep & will see you enjoying more of motherhood then ever before 🌙 happy Monday Mumma’s x

In an Australian first, young parents will have access to highly sought after sleep support for their babies, as part of a new partnership between the Brave Foundation and Baby Sleep School.

Sleep deprivation is a common complaint of new parents, but for those who are still navigating their teenage years, the transition to parenthood can be infinitely more challenging.

Baby Sleep School has joined forces with the Brave Foundation to provide free and on-going sleep help to families in need of support. Those involved in the new initiative will receive a personalised sleep plan, detailed advice around their babies sleeping needs at every age, and access to Baby Sleep School’s team of qualified baby sleep consultants.

“In the past 10 years almost 80,000 new mothers were aged under 20 at the time of the birth of their children, and like all new parents they need a village of support around them as they embark on their parenting journey,” said Brave Foundation CEO Jill Roche.

“We are so pleased to create this partnership with Baby Sleep School to ensure young parents are also provided with valuable guidance around their child’s sleep. Now participants in Brave’s program will be able to access additional help to ensure that they, and their children, are getting the rest they need in a safe and supported way.”

The Brave Foundation is a not- for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting these mothers and fathers from pregnancy and through the early years of parenting, and now sleep support will be added to the list of resources, education and referrals that Brave provides.

Recent statistics show more than 5-thousand babies are born in Australia each year to mothers under the age of 20.

”The data is clear - young mothers are one of Australia’s most disadvantaged groups,” said Marissa Wallis, founder and CEO of Baby Sleep School.

“Parenthood is demanding,and young parents face many of the same challenges as other parents, as well as other adversities''. We want to help these young parents by increasing their parenting skills and giving them confidence”.

The role of the qualified Baby Sleep Consultants at Baby Sleep School will be understanding the individual Parents' needs arising from their personal history and current life situation. As well as the shared and individual needs of young parents to then develop services that respond to these needs.

“We want to ensure these mothers and fathers are far better supported, and one of the ways we can do that is by providing education and information around a baby’s sleeping and feeding needs,” she said.

“There is significant research to show sleep deprivation increases the likelihood of things like brain fog, mood swings, and post-natal anxiety and depression, so supporting these young parents to improve their baby’s sleep - and in turn their own - is imperative.

To learn more about the Brave Foundation, visit bravefoundation.org.au

Baby Sleep School can be found at sleepschool.co

Mothers have been teaching their babies to sleep since the dawn of time. From rocking them to replicate the movement they would have felt in the womb, to gently resettling them when they need more than a catnap, and everything in between – mothers know sleep is important to a baby’s growth and development.

In the traditional village setting of the past, women would share hard-won experience knowledge with one another in the course of their days– ‘This worked for my baby’, or ‘Have you tried making a ‘shusssh’ sound?’ – and each family would figure out what worked for them.

What we do at Baby Sleep School is kind of like a modern version of that – we share what we have learned, through education, our tribe, our experiences in helping families find healthy sleep habits and our personal experience with our own families. We want to help families who are crying out for better sleep – it’s as simple as that.

Sleep training always equals ‘cry it out’, doesn’t it?

No! Not at all. This is such a common misconception – there are so many ways to sleep train, and while some people and organisations recommend ‘cry it out’, which is based upon allowing a baby to cry for extended periods of time without providing hands on reassurance, we do not.

All sleep training/teaching systems are not the same. We offer practical and gentle sleep advice and take care to help parents understand their babies better, and about how to approach the different types of cries your baby may do in bed. Never ever will you hear us recommending you leave your baby to cry themselves to sleep.

Why is sleep so important?

Sleep isn’t a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a health and wellness must. And that goes for everyone – for babies, for mothers, for children – for adults! But we want to explore why sleep is something we can’t take for granted…

• for babies: so much of a baby’s growth and development happens when they sleep – most of their brain development happens during sleep, synapses are formed, memories stored – they’re busy when they’re sleeping! A rested baby also tends to eat better, which is key for development, as well as their general mood.
  
• for mothers: the wellbeing of mothers is vital to the wellbeing of their babies. There are so many mums out there that are exhausted, overextended and pouring from an empty cup. When baby sleeps well, everyone sleeps well, resulting in happier, more resilient parents! Poor sleep can affect every part of an adult’s life, and make life so much harder than it needs to be. We genuinely believe, and have seen, that good sleep makes for much happier families and especially mums – as well as beautiful, happy, bouncing babies.

Should everyone sleep train?

Goodness no! Some people will want to, like we did when we needed help teaching our first babies to sleep, and some people won’t – and that’s totally fine! Sleep training, like everything parenting, is not a ‘one size fits all’ situation. Our guidelines are just that – guidelines! We aim to provide parents with gentle tools, tips and most importantly, a range of different options, to help their baby achieve the sleep they need for healthy development and growth.

We strongly recommend people do what works for them – their baby, their family, their own comfort zone and intuition.

Is it ok to sleep train?

Yes! We think so – we have dedicated years and years to sleep training our children and helping thousands of families achieve better sleep in a gentle, flexible way.

It is fine to sleep train your baby as long as you are following safe sleep rules and being safe generally. It is fine not to sleep train your baby. What is not fine is make others feel bad about how they choose to deal with sleep, so be kind to all mums, no matter their approach – it’s a tough job and everyone is doing their best.

Remember the days when a sleep in meant waking up past 9am? And now there are days when you see 7.03am and think ‘Thank heavens for my sleep in…’

While the reality is you probably won’t return to those regular long, lazy mornings languishing in bed with a coffee or a book anytime soon, there are many practical ways to help if your little one is a super early riser.

Now, first things first. When we talk about babies and toddlers, an ‘early riser’ is not a baby who is up at 6.30am after a 12-hour sleep. That’s a definite win in baby-and-toddler-parent land. We’re talking about when your bundle of joy is beating the roosters to greet the day.

Of course, your baby or toddler will naturally go through disruptions and unsettled periods – teething, changes to routine, developmental leaps and stages. A few early mornings are not cause for concern. If your little ones’ early rising (before 6am) has carried on consistently for over a week, and you want to try and shuffle the wake time forward, here are some things to look at and address:

Sound: Are there noisy birds right outside your baby’s window? Neighbours revving their engine when leaving at the crack of dawn? An early alarm clock going off for another member of the family? There’s nothing like an external noise waking your peacefully sleeping baby, and while some things are truly out of your control, you can always try turning up the white noise machine to drown out some of the unavoidable noises. If you don’t have one already, we have a great little portable sound machine.

Temperature: Often the temperature can drop in the early morning – while we can easily pull up another blanket ourselves, babies don’t have this luxury. Being too hot can also be an issue. Check that the room is around 19-22 degrees, and that the sleeping bag TOG is appropriate for the climate and heating situation in your home. Plenty of brands that make sleeping bags have great resources about the ideal temperature and layers needed under their sleeping bags.

Light: Let there be… dark! A dark room increases production of melatonin, the sleepy hormone. Light sneaking in can affect quality of sleep, and your little ones’ ability to resettle themselves. As they get older, they may become distracted if they can see their toys, books, or shadows playing on the wall (it’s mind blowing how many creatures a two-year-old can see in the shadows…).

Aim for a totally dark room, if this is not possible with your existing blinds/curtains you can try blackout blinds, like these.

Hunger: Now unless you’re into intermittent fasting, most adults would not go for 12 or 13 hours between meals (or some pre bed toast or choccie biscuits). This is often the gap babies will go between feeds/meals so it is not surprising that many wake early due to hunger. Take a look to ensure they’re getting sufficient sustenance during the day – for smaller babes, check the milk/formula feeds recommended for their age and weight, and once solids are in the mix, check their protein and carbohydrate needs are met. Load then up with sufficient sustenance in the day to increase your chances of a ‘sleep in’.

It’s worth saying that some children simply are early risers – like some adults continue to be. Some babies or toddlers can happily start their day at 5.30am. Also, if your little one’s morning wake up time suits your family, and they’re getting enough sleep for their age, then that’s fine! Babies are not robots and nor are families. If you’re getting enough sleep, and everyone is healthy and content, there is no reason to change things.

There are a number of other factors to consider if the above don’t seem to make a difference. There’s plenty more information in our Sleep Guides, with complete checklists to cross off.

And if not, there’s a coffee with your name on it mama, you’re doing an excellent job.

Have you ever walked from the nice calm world into a shop where the music is REALLY, REALLY LOUD? It’s so jarring!

 Well that, in reverse, is what happens to our babies. They’re in the womb, warm, snug and safe for 9 months. As their hearing develops, the sound of our bodies is constant for them – like a song that never ends, but a good one. Our heartbeat. Our blood. Our voice (and yes, even our car singing), their dad’s voice; they’re there for it all and it reassures them.

And when they finally land in your arms – it’s so QUIET without all that noise! This is why we swear by white noise for all baby sleeps. it is such a positive sleep association; it both soothes your baby and also lets them know now is a good time for sleep.

 Enter the Sleepy Portable Sound Machine; a handy, smart machine that offers 6 different soothing sounds for your baby:

♪          Lullaby

☔︎        Rain

♩          Shooshing sound

♥︎        Fetal heartbeat

༄               White noise

⚓︎        Ocean Waves

The machine is easily portable (has a clip for easy hanging), automatically enters sleep mode after 30 mins (saving battery), USB chargeable… the list goes on! But for us, the star of the show is that it is voice activated; when your baby makes noise, the sound kicks in! This feature could save you a whole resettle, and we know the less interrupted the sleep, the better.

Being compact and portable, it can go wherever you are. Hang it from the pram, pop it near baby in the car – use it as a message that even though they’re not in their nice comfy bed and dark room, that sleep is the next step for them.

So simple a dad could use it (sorry dads, we really do love you!), a colour scheme that will work with anything AND a sleep saviour? Run, don’t walk! You can find them here.

Red light and sleep – a match made in heaven

If you follow us on socials, you’ll know that we are big believers in dark rooms for baby sleep – and for babies up to 18 months that is certainly the case – but night lights do have a time and a place.

The time – like we said, after 18 months of age. For some children, this can be when the dark is full of scary unknowns, and when a nightlight can provide comfort for any of those night time wake ups – and hopefully stop them from getting out of bed!

So what sort of light? You’ve probably heard about the pitfalls of blue light (we admit – we sometimes use our phones before sleep but we also agree with the science behind this being a bad idea) – but what about red light?

Blue, white, or green light sources – however dim – can be detrimental to sleep as they emit blue light waves. Blue light is a stimulant that actually boosts attention and reaction times, which interrupt the production of melatonin (the sleepy hormone).

Here’s the secret that you need to know – red light is a higher wavelength and boosts melatonin production. Red light can help support good sleep! And it gives out enough light to reassure them they are home in bed and safe, without drawing them into being fully awake.

There are lots of ways to bring red light into your child’s sleep; our Sleepy Light is can provide one of four gentle warm/red-based light tones, sound machine, diffuser and humidifier all in one. You can also buy red light bulbs, or smart light bulbs that can be any colour, for a lamp you already have, or red wall plugs.

If you are looking for light that supports good sleep we urge you – think red!

The Baby Sleep School App was created after years of runaway success with the Baby Sleep School online sleep programs. The idea was born when founders Marissa Wallis and Amelia Lamont were struggling to get their own babies to sleep; they went the extra mile, both became qualified sleep consultants and started Baby Sleep School.

Together, Marissa and Amelia have helped thousands of families worldwide achieve sleep success with their popular online downloadable sleep programs.

But – they wanted to do more to help and support mums! In addition to offering many products and services to help teach babies great sleep habits, they have created an holistic approach to sleep training, with a focus on supporting mums to assist with their baby’s sleep. The Sleepy App is the key; one platform with all the information you need to achieve sleep success – easy, quick and ready to help at all times

Once you purchase a Baby Sleep School program (Newborn, 3-12 months, 12-24 months and Toddler) from our website, you will be sent a link to download the Sleepy App for free. You can then access your sleep program guide on the App, making finding that one priceless nugget of information that will help, that much easier.

Sleepy App – your sleep saviour

Need a sleep saviour in your pocket?

Your wish is our command! Free with a purchase of one of our Sleep Programs, our Sleepy App has all the help, support and resources you need to master baby sleep in one place. Info from our sleep programs? Tick! Community section and forum with chat room, to learn from other mamas in our community? Tick! And because we are passionate about women’s health – a wellness hub for YOU, because a well mama is a happy mama! Includes yoga videos, fitness info and breathing and mediation exercises… tick, tick, tick! You can also get access to bonus content for all age groups, including info on regressions, first aid, sleep safety, settling techniques and more. TICK! Some of these are paid features; you can find out more about that below.

Download the Sleepy App today, available on: 

• IOS
• Google Play

Why should I pay for the additional monthly subscription fee? What extra help am I getting?

The Sleepy App is designed to be a simple way to access all your baby sleep requirements from one platform. The subscription fee is based on providing you with additional functions to support you through sleep training your baby, including the community forum, chat, additional resources and wellness hub.

The difference between a sleep program and the Sleepy App is that the app allows parents to access the program through the app and pay for additional features and services if you require more support. You can also purchase programs through at the app, as your baby grows and develops.

The additional features included in a subscription include:

 Community forum

The Community Forum is a virtual chat room; it is similar to our wonderful Facebook community with more one-on-one support. Certified sleep consultants will be available during peak times to answer your questions and assist you throughout the day when things don’t quite go to plan! Don’t underestimate the power of community!

Wellness hub

The Wellness hub was created to provide Mums with the tools to take some time out for themselves. We are HUGE believers in the benefits of a healthy body and healthy mind, especially for mums. The benefits of exercise include better sleep, improved memory and higher energy levels; it also improves mental health and helps to protect women from conditions like anxiety and depression. Currently in Australia, as many as 1 in 3 women will experience anxiety in their lifetime, and being active can serve as a powerful tool for preventing and managing symptoms associated with this condition.

Remember – it is NOT selfish to prioritise your health!

When it comes to health and fitness advice, it’s important to get the right advice from a qualified professional – that’s why we are working with Renee McGeoch, a qualified post-partum fitness instructor and absolute gem, to deliver safe and effective exercises. Our movement sessions will be mainly interval training and include activation and mobility exercises.

 Our yoga and meditation classes are beautiful and relaxing, allowing deep stretching and breathing for a slower pace. Our yoga instructor, the gorgeous Beth has created some incredible videos for you to access 24/7 and work at your own pace in the comfort of your own home.

If you’re not sure if you are ready for these kinds of activities, please consult a health professional before starting.

Additional resources

These are like the bonus track on your favourite album…. The Additional resources section was created because after years of helping families, we realised there some questions we heard over and over. We kept track of them over the years and now we have answered all your pressing questions in the Additional resources section of the Sleepy App. Broken down into topics, these FAQ are a game-changer – you get access to some in-depth, step-by step knowledge from our experts.

The topics included in are:

• Pre-natal
• Newborn 
• 3 - 12 months
• 12 - 24 months
• 2 - 4 years
• Sleep safety
• Settling techniques
• Sleep regressions
• Developmental leaps
• Your mental health
• Sickness and illness
• First aid
• Sleep safety 101
• The science of sleep
• About us

Being a stay at home mums is by far the hardest job in the world. It’s selfless, tiring, worthwhile & at times isolating .. make sure you spend as much time outside of your house enjoying the sunshine and fresh air and organise catch ups with friends as regularly as possible. Your sanity needs it & it is good for bub too .. If you are worried about your social life interfering with your baby’s routine then don’t.. Get out between naps & no big deal if your social life takes over nap time here or there .. our every second day rule will have you feeling much more relaxed about sleep & will see you enjoying more of motherhood then ever before 🌙 happy Monday Mumma’s x

In an Australian first, young parents will have access to highly sought after sleep support for their babies, as part of a new partnership between the Brave Foundation and Baby Sleep School.

Sleep deprivation is a common complaint of new parents, but for those who are still navigating their teenage years, the transition to parenthood can be infinitely more challenging.

Baby Sleep School has joined forces with the Brave Foundation to provide free and on-going sleep help to families in need of support. Those involved in the new initiative will receive a personalised sleep plan, detailed advice around their babies sleeping needs at every age, and access to Baby Sleep School’s team of qualified baby sleep consultants.

“In the past 10 years almost 80,000 new mothers were aged under 20 at the time of the birth of their children, and like all new parents they need a village of support around them as they embark on their parenting journey,” said Brave Foundation CEO Jill Roche.

“We are so pleased to create this partnership with Baby Sleep School to ensure young parents are also provided with valuable guidance around their child’s sleep. Now participants in Brave’s program will be able to access additional help to ensure that they, and their children, are getting the rest they need in a safe and supported way.”

The Brave Foundation is a not- for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting these mothers and fathers from pregnancy and through the early years of parenting, and now sleep support will be added to the list of resources, education and referrals that Brave provides.

Recent statistics show more than 5-thousand babies are born in Australia each year to mothers under the age of 20.

”The data is clear - young mothers are one of Australia’s most disadvantaged groups,” said Marissa Wallis, founder and CEO of Baby Sleep School.

“Parenthood is demanding,and young parents face many of the same challenges as other parents, as well as other adversities''. We want to help these young parents by increasing their parenting skills and giving them confidence”.

The role of the qualified Baby Sleep Consultants at Baby Sleep School will be understanding the individual Parents' needs arising from their personal history and current life situation. As well as the shared and individual needs of young parents to then develop services that respond to these needs.

“We want to ensure these mothers and fathers are far better supported, and one of the ways we can do that is by providing education and information around a baby’s sleeping and feeding needs,” she said.

“There is significant research to show sleep deprivation increases the likelihood of things like brain fog, mood swings, and post-natal anxiety and depression, so supporting these young parents to improve their baby’s sleep - and in turn their own - is imperative.

To learn more about the Brave Foundation, visit bravefoundation.org.au

Baby Sleep School can be found at sleepschool.co

Mothers have been teaching their babies to sleep since the dawn of time. From rocking them to replicate the movement they would have felt in the womb, to gently resettling them when they need more than a catnap, and everything in between – mothers know sleep is important to a baby’s growth and development.

In the traditional village setting of the past, women would share hard-won experience knowledge with one another in the course of their days– ‘This worked for my baby’, or ‘Have you tried making a ‘shusssh’ sound?’ – and each family would figure out what worked for them.

What we do at Baby Sleep School is kind of like a modern version of that – we share what we have learned, through education, our tribe, our experiences in helping families find healthy sleep habits and our personal experience with our own families. We want to help families who are crying out for better sleep – it’s as simple as that.

Sleep training always equals ‘cry it out’, doesn’t it?

No! Not at all. This is such a common misconception – there are so many ways to sleep train, and while some people and organisations recommend ‘cry it out’, which is based upon allowing a baby to cry for extended periods of time without providing hands on reassurance, we do not.

All sleep training/teaching systems are not the same. We offer practical and gentle sleep advice and take care to help parents understand their babies better, and about how to approach the different types of cries your baby may do in bed. Never ever will you hear us recommending you leave your baby to cry themselves to sleep.

Why is sleep so important?

Sleep isn’t a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a health and wellness must. And that goes for everyone – for babies, for mothers, for children – for adults! But we want to explore why sleep is something we can’t take for granted…

• for babies: so much of a baby’s growth and development happens when they sleep – most of their brain development happens during sleep, synapses are formed, memories stored – they’re busy when they’re sleeping! A rested baby also tends to eat better, which is key for development, as well as their general mood.
  
• for mothers: the wellbeing of mothers is vital to the wellbeing of their babies. There are so many mums out there that are exhausted, overextended and pouring from an empty cup. When baby sleeps well, everyone sleeps well, resulting in happier, more resilient parents! Poor sleep can affect every part of an adult’s life, and make life so much harder than it needs to be. We genuinely believe, and have seen, that good sleep makes for much happier families and especially mums – as well as beautiful, happy, bouncing babies.

Should everyone sleep train?

Goodness no! Some people will want to, like we did when we needed help teaching our first babies to sleep, and some people won’t – and that’s totally fine! Sleep training, like everything parenting, is not a ‘one size fits all’ situation. Our guidelines are just that – guidelines! We aim to provide parents with gentle tools, tips and most importantly, a range of different options, to help their baby achieve the sleep they need for healthy development and growth.

We strongly recommend people do what works for them – their baby, their family, their own comfort zone and intuition.

Is it ok to sleep train?

Yes! We think so – we have dedicated years and years to sleep training our children and helping thousands of families achieve better sleep in a gentle, flexible way.

It is fine to sleep train your baby as long as you are following safe sleep rules and being safe generally. It is fine not to sleep train your baby. What is not fine is make others feel bad about how they choose to deal with sleep, so be kind to all mums, no matter their approach – it’s a tough job and everyone is doing their best.

‘Put on your own mask first, before helping others’ – those word will be familiar to anyone who has ever boarded a plane (remember that?! The good old days hey). But when was the last time you stopped to make sure you were fitting your own mask, before tending to your little ones?

The advice is nothing new, but when push comes to shove – it can be seriously hard to prioritise your needs over those of your little ones even sometimes.

Parenting, and the juggles that come with it, can be intense – whether you’re a working mama, running a home, studying between feeds, running a farm, balancing blended families. Having these little people rely on us is a joy and a privilege but it can also be seriously challenging, and demanding in ways we never even dreamed of! (Who knew you can cut toast into the ‘wrong’ kind of triangles? Or that it is possible to cry and scream simultaneously?)

You can’t pour from an empty cup, and it is so important that as mamas we find some time to fill up our own stores of energy and joy. Especially in these challenging times – lockdowns, alarming world news – your wellbeing truly does matter. We talk about this more in the Mindful Parenting sections of our Sleep Guides – we can’t help regulate a baby (and their sleep) if we are not emotionally regulated ourselves!

So, we’re not saying that you need to book in a hot stone massage or rosé-fuelled long lunch (although now you mention it…) – it can be as simple as writing a quick hit list of small, achievable things that you know fill YOUR cup.

An hour curled up in bed streaming your fave show, a coffee and walk with a girlfriend, reading your book instead of tidying when the baby naps. Blasting 90s pop and shaking off some of the stress, calling an old friend, meditating. It doesn’t matter so much what it is, but that it is for you, and brings you some joy.

In turn, you’ll have some more patience, more energy, more joy – and that benefits the whole family, not just you.

Parents of newborns – we know finding time for you can be challenging especially in the early months. Can you call on some people in your family, community or network to help? Often with newborns, people are afraid of stepping on toes and love a clear request – ‘Can you stay with the baby while they nap while I walk with a friend?’. When we’re not used to asking for that time for ourselves, it can be tricky but try it out – we promise it gets easier with practice!

It’s not unusual to find parenting frustrating and really tricky at times – it’s totally normal, in fact! We really encourage you to reach out for support from your communities or on our forum. You’re never alone and sometimes sharing experiences can take a mental load off your mind (shout out to all the mamas who share their struggles openly!).

Of course, if you experience a constant low mood or anxiety, or some more extreme symptoms, we encourage you to seek professional support: speaking to your GP or Maternal Child Health Nurse can be a good place to start, and PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) have great resources as well as a free National helpline (1300 726 306). One in seven women in Australia experience postnatal depression – if this is you, you are not alone and help is available.

We see you mamas, and you’re doing a damn fine job. You deserve to take time to fill your cup!

Remember the days when a sleep in meant waking up past 9am? And now there are days when you see 7.03am and think ‘Thank heavens for my sleep in…’

While the reality is you probably won’t return to those regular long, lazy mornings languishing in bed with a coffee or a book anytime soon, there are many practical ways to help if your little one is a super early riser.

Now, first things first. When we talk about babies and toddlers, an ‘early riser’ is not a baby who is up at 6.30am after a 12-hour sleep. That’s a definite win in baby-and-toddler-parent land. We’re talking about when your bundle of joy is beating the roosters to greet the day.

Of course, your baby or toddler will naturally go through disruptions and unsettled periods – teething, changes to routine, developmental leaps and stages. A few early mornings are not cause for concern. If your little ones’ early rising (before 6am) has carried on consistently for over a week, and you want to try and shuffle the wake time forward, here are some things to look at and address:

Sound: Are there noisy birds right outside your baby’s window? Neighbours revving their engine when leaving at the crack of dawn? An early alarm clock going off for another member of the family? There’s nothing like an external noise waking your peacefully sleeping baby, and while some things are truly out of your control, you can always try turning up the white noise machine to drown out some of the unavoidable noises. If you don’t have one already, we have a great little portable sound machine.

Temperature: Often the temperature can drop in the early morning – while we can easily pull up another blanket ourselves, babies don’t have this luxury. Being too hot can also be an issue. Check that the room is around 19-22 degrees, and that the sleeping bag TOG is appropriate for the climate and heating situation in your home. Plenty of brands that make sleeping bags have great resources about the ideal temperature and layers needed under their sleeping bags.

Light: Let there be… dark! A dark room increases production of melatonin, the sleepy hormone. Light sneaking in can affect quality of sleep, and your little ones’ ability to resettle themselves. As they get older, they may become distracted if they can see their toys, books, or shadows playing on the wall (it’s mind blowing how many creatures a two-year-old can see in the shadows…).

Aim for a totally dark room, if this is not possible with your existing blinds/curtains you can try blackout blinds, like these.

Hunger: Now unless you’re into intermittent fasting, most adults would not go for 12 or 13 hours between meals (or some pre bed toast or choccie biscuits). This is often the gap babies will go between feeds/meals so it is not surprising that many wake early due to hunger. Take a look to ensure they’re getting sufficient sustenance during the day – for smaller babes, check the milk/formula feeds recommended for their age and weight, and once solids are in the mix, check their protein and carbohydrate needs are met. Load then up with sufficient sustenance in the day to increase your chances of a ‘sleep in’.

It’s worth saying that some children simply are early risers – like some adults continue to be. Some babies or toddlers can happily start their day at 5.30am. Also, if your little one’s morning wake up time suits your family, and they’re getting enough sleep for their age, then that’s fine! Babies are not robots and nor are families. If you’re getting enough sleep, and everyone is healthy and content, there is no reason to change things.

There are a number of other factors to consider if the above don’t seem to make a difference. There’s plenty more information in our Sleep Guides, with complete checklists to cross off.

And if not, there’s a coffee with your name on it mama, you’re doing an excellent job.

The Sleepy Checklist

When you’re sleep deprived, your brain can’t quite manage the same tasks it nails when you’re well rested, and unfortunately, problem solving is one of the things it will struggle with most!

So, if your child’s sleep is a big problem, but your brain is struggling to find an answer; what do you do?!

Well, if you’re anything like we were before we sleep trained, a big cry and a cuppa is what you do! Next up, we’d recommend buying the relevant Sleepy Guidelines for your child through our Sleepy App – the golden advice in these has worked wonders for so many families.

But, for something you can do right now, we’ve come up with a checklist of questions that may help you make a start on saving your family’s sleep. Run your eye over down these lists and see if you can figure out a change that might work for your babe and your family…

 Baby’s sleep environment

• Is it warm enough/cool enough?
• Is it as dark as it can possibly be?
• Do you have white noise or ambient sound?
• Do they have an age-appropriate comforter?
• Is it calm (boring) enough? An exciting room can keep baby awake just from looking around.
• Does the baby feel happy or sad when they enter their room? If sleep is stressful, you may need to create some positive associations with the room.

Before bed/nap time

• Is your baby hungry or thirsty? These can really mess with sleep!
• Do you have a pre-bed routine? A bit of quiet time, then book, a cuddle, a song?
• Is your baby exhibiting tired signs? (And do you know what their tired signs are? This is key!)
• Does your baby need to go down earlier/later?
• Have you talked up how great their room/bed/sleep is during the day?
• Do they need a fresh nappy before bed so wetting through doesn’t wake them?

During sleep time

• Does your baby wake after a certain amount of time?
• What’s waking your baby? If they’re hungry, tank them up. Cold – more layers. Hot – less layers!
• Do you have a plan for how you’ll resettle them back to sleep? Make sure everyone in the family is on board!
• If they’re upset – can you settle them while they stay in their cot?

After their nap/in the morning

• If they slept well, did you give them lots of praise?
• Do they need a little cuddle before re-entering the world?

Mum and dad

• Have you and your partner talked about how you’ll approach sleep?
• If mum is breastfeeding and therefore associated with food, can the other parent deal with overnight wakeups?
• Are you and your partner on the same page with what you’ll do about bedtime and wakeups?
• Have you done everything you can think of? Do you need some extra help?

This is not everything, but it’s hopefully enough to give you that ‘oh, I need to try such-and-such’ moment. And if you need a little extra assistance, sing out! We’re here to help.      

Have you ever walked from the nice calm world into a shop where the music is REALLY, REALLY LOUD? It’s so jarring!

 Well that, in reverse, is what happens to our babies. They’re in the womb, warm, snug and safe for 9 months. As their hearing develops, the sound of our bodies is constant for them – like a song that never ends, but a good one. Our heartbeat. Our blood. Our voice (and yes, even our car singing), their dad’s voice; they’re there for it all and it reassures them.

And when they finally land in your arms – it’s so QUIET without all that noise! This is why we swear by white noise for all baby sleeps. it is such a positive sleep association; it both soothes your baby and also lets them know now is a good time for sleep.

 Enter the Sleepy Portable Sound Machine; a handy, smart machine that offers 6 different soothing sounds for your baby:

♪          Lullaby

☔︎        Rain

♩          Shooshing sound

♥︎        Fetal heartbeat

༄               White noise

⚓︎        Ocean Waves

The machine is easily portable (has a clip for easy hanging), automatically enters sleep mode after 30 mins (saving battery), USB chargeable… the list goes on! But for us, the star of the show is that it is voice activated; when your baby makes noise, the sound kicks in! This feature could save you a whole resettle, and we know the less interrupted the sleep, the better.

Being compact and portable, it can go wherever you are. Hang it from the pram, pop it near baby in the car – use it as a message that even though they’re not in their nice comfy bed and dark room, that sleep is the next step for them.

So simple a dad could use it (sorry dads, we really do love you!), a colour scheme that will work with anything AND a sleep saviour? Run, don’t walk! You can find them here.

Red light and sleep – a match made in heaven

If you follow us on socials, you’ll know that we are big believers in dark rooms for baby sleep – and for babies up to 18 months that is certainly the case – but night lights do have a time and a place.

The time – like we said, after 18 months of age. For some children, this can be when the dark is full of scary unknowns, and when a nightlight can provide comfort for any of those night time wake ups – and hopefully stop them from getting out of bed!

So what sort of light? You’ve probably heard about the pitfalls of blue light (we admit – we sometimes use our phones before sleep but we also agree with the science behind this being a bad idea) – but what about red light?

Blue, white, or green light sources – however dim – can be detrimental to sleep as they emit blue light waves. Blue light is a stimulant that actually boosts attention and reaction times, which interrupt the production of melatonin (the sleepy hormone).

Here’s the secret that you need to know – red light is a higher wavelength and boosts melatonin production. Red light can help support good sleep! And it gives out enough light to reassure them they are home in bed and safe, without drawing them into being fully awake.

There are lots of ways to bring red light into your child’s sleep; our Sleepy Light is can provide one of four gentle warm/red-based light tones, sound machine, diffuser and humidifier all in one. You can also buy red light bulbs, or smart light bulbs that can be any colour, for a lamp you already have, or red wall plugs.

If you are looking for light that supports good sleep we urge you – think red!

The Baby Sleep School App was created after years of runaway success with the Baby Sleep School online sleep programs. The idea was born when founders Marissa Wallis and Amelia Lamont were struggling to get their own babies to sleep; they went the extra mile, both became qualified sleep consultants and started Baby Sleep School.

Together, Marissa and Amelia have helped thousands of families worldwide achieve sleep success with their popular online downloadable sleep programs.

But – they wanted to do more to help and support mums! In addition to offering many products and services to help teach babies great sleep habits, they have created an holistic approach to sleep training, with a focus on supporting mums to assist with their baby’s sleep. The Sleepy App is the key; one platform with all the information you need to achieve sleep success – easy, quick and ready to help at all times

Once you purchase a Baby Sleep School program (Newborn, 3-12 months, 12-24 months and Toddler) from our website, you will be sent a link to download the Sleepy App for free. You can then access your sleep program guide on the App, making finding that one priceless nugget of information that will help, that much easier.

Sleepy App – your sleep saviour

Need a sleep saviour in your pocket?

Your wish is our command! Free with a purchase of one of our Sleep Programs, our Sleepy App has all the help, support and resources you need to master baby sleep in one place. Info from our sleep programs? Tick! Community section and forum with chat room, to learn from other mamas in our community? Tick! And because we are passionate about women’s health – a wellness hub for YOU, because a well mama is a happy mama! Includes yoga videos, fitness info and breathing and mediation exercises… tick, tick, tick! You can also get access to bonus content for all age groups, including info on regressions, first aid, sleep safety, settling techniques and more. TICK! Some of these are paid features; you can find out more about that below.

Download the Sleepy App today, available on: 

• IOS
• Google Play

Why should I pay for the additional monthly subscription fee? What extra help am I getting?

The Sleepy App is designed to be a simple way to access all your baby sleep requirements from one platform. The subscription fee is based on providing you with additional functions to support you through sleep training your baby, including the community forum, chat, additional resources and wellness hub.

The difference between a sleep program and the Sleepy App is that the app allows parents to access the program through the app and pay for additional features and services if you require more support. You can also purchase programs through at the app, as your baby grows and develops.

The additional features included in a subscription include:

 Community forum

The Community Forum is a virtual chat room; it is similar to our wonderful Facebook community with more one-on-one support. Certified sleep consultants will be available during peak times to answer your questions and assist you throughout the day when things don’t quite go to plan! Don’t underestimate the power of community!

Wellness hub

The Wellness hub was created to provide Mums with the tools to take some time out for themselves. We are HUGE believers in the benefits of a healthy body and healthy mind, especially for mums. The benefits of exercise include better sleep, improved memory and higher energy levels; it also improves mental health and helps to protect women from conditions like anxiety and depression. Currently in Australia, as many as 1 in 3 women will experience anxiety in their lifetime, and being active can serve as a powerful tool for preventing and managing symptoms associated with this condition.

Remember – it is NOT selfish to prioritise your health!

When it comes to health and fitness advice, it’s important to get the right advice from a qualified professional – that’s why we are working with Renee McGeoch, a qualified post-partum fitness instructor and absolute gem, to deliver safe and effective exercises. Our movement sessions will be mainly interval training and include activation and mobility exercises.

 Our yoga and meditation classes are beautiful and relaxing, allowing deep stretching and breathing for a slower pace. Our yoga instructor, the gorgeous Beth has created some incredible videos for you to access 24/7 and work at your own pace in the comfort of your own home.

If you’re not sure if you are ready for these kinds of activities, please consult a health professional before starting.

Additional resources

These are like the bonus track on your favourite album…. The Additional resources section was created because after years of helping families, we realised there some questions we heard over and over. We kept track of them over the years and now we have answered all your pressing questions in the Additional resources section of the Sleepy App. Broken down into topics, these FAQ are a game-changer – you get access to some in-depth, step-by step knowledge from our experts.

The topics included in are:

• Pre-natal
• Newborn 
• 3 - 12 months
• 12 - 24 months
• 2 - 4 years
• Sleep safety
• Settling techniques
• Sleep regressions
• Developmental leaps
• Your mental health
• Sickness and illness
• First aid
• Sleep safety 101
• The science of sleep
• About us

In an Australian first, young parents will have access to highly sought after sleep support for their babies, as part of a new partnership between the Brave Foundation and Baby Sleep School.

Sleep deprivation is a common complaint of new parents, but for those who are still navigating their teenage years, the transition to parenthood can be infinitely more challenging.

Baby Sleep School has joined forces with the Brave Foundation to provide free and on-going sleep help to families in need of support. Those involved in the new initiative will receive a personalised sleep plan, detailed advice around their babies sleeping needs at every age, and access to Baby Sleep School’s team of qualified baby sleep consultants.

“In the past 10 years almost 80,000 new mothers were aged under 20 at the time of the birth of their children, and like all new parents they need a village of support around them as they embark on their parenting journey,” said Brave Foundation CEO Jill Roche.

“We are so pleased to create this partnership with Baby Sleep School to ensure young parents are also provided with valuable guidance around their child’s sleep. Now participants in Brave’s program will be able to access additional help to ensure that they, and their children, are getting the rest they need in a safe and supported way.”

The Brave Foundation is a not- for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting these mothers and fathers from pregnancy and through the early years of parenting, and now sleep support will be added to the list of resources, education and referrals that Brave provides.

Recent statistics show more than 5-thousand babies are born in Australia each year to mothers under the age of 20.

”The data is clear - young mothers are one of Australia’s most disadvantaged groups,” said Marissa Wallis, founder and CEO of Baby Sleep School.

“Parenthood is demanding,and young parents face many of the same challenges as other parents, as well as other adversities''. We want to help these young parents by increasing their parenting skills and giving them confidence”.

The role of the qualified Baby Sleep Consultants at Baby Sleep School will be understanding the individual Parents' needs arising from their personal history and current life situation. As well as the shared and individual needs of young parents to then develop services that respond to these needs.

“We want to ensure these mothers and fathers are far better supported, and one of the ways we can do that is by providing education and information around a baby’s sleeping and feeding needs,” she said.

“There is significant research to show sleep deprivation increases the likelihood of things like brain fog, mood swings, and post-natal anxiety and depression, so supporting these young parents to improve their baby’s sleep - and in turn their own - is imperative.

To learn more about the Brave Foundation, visit bravefoundation.org.au

Baby Sleep School can be found at sleepschool.co

Mothers have been teaching their babies to sleep since the dawn of time. From rocking them to replicate the movement they would have felt in the womb, to gently resettling them when they need more than a catnap, and everything in between – mothers know sleep is important to a baby’s growth and development.

In the traditional village setting of the past, women would share hard-won experience knowledge with one another in the course of their days– ‘This worked for my baby’, or ‘Have you tried making a ‘shusssh’ sound?’ – and each family would figure out what worked for them.

What we do at Baby Sleep School is kind of like a modern version of that – we share what we have learned, through education, our tribe, our experiences in helping families find healthy sleep habits and our personal experience with our own families. We want to help families who are crying out for better sleep – it’s as simple as that.

Sleep training always equals ‘cry it out’, doesn’t it?

No! Not at all. This is such a common misconception – there are so many ways to sleep train, and while some people and organisations recommend ‘cry it out’, which is based upon allowing a baby to cry for extended periods of time without providing hands on reassurance, we do not.

All sleep training/teaching systems are not the same. We offer practical and gentle sleep advice and take care to help parents understand their babies better, and about how to approach the different types of cries your baby may do in bed. Never ever will you hear us recommending you leave your baby to cry themselves to sleep.

Why is sleep so important?

Sleep isn’t a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a health and wellness must. And that goes for everyone – for babies, for mothers, for children – for adults! But we want to explore why sleep is something we can’t take for granted…

• for babies: so much of a baby’s growth and development happens when they sleep – most of their brain development happens during sleep, synapses are formed, memories stored – they’re busy when they’re sleeping! A rested baby also tends to eat better, which is key for development, as well as their general mood.
  
• for mothers: the wellbeing of mothers is vital to the wellbeing of their babies. There are so many mums out there that are exhausted, overextended and pouring from an empty cup. When baby sleeps well, everyone sleeps well, resulting in happier, more resilient parents! Poor sleep can affect every part of an adult’s life, and make life so much harder than it needs to be. We genuinely believe, and have seen, that good sleep makes for much happier families and especially mums – as well as beautiful, happy, bouncing babies.

Should everyone sleep train?

Goodness no! Some people will want to, like we did when we needed help teaching our first babies to sleep, and some people won’t – and that’s totally fine! Sleep training, like everything parenting, is not a ‘one size fits all’ situation. Our guidelines are just that – guidelines! We aim to provide parents with gentle tools, tips and most importantly, a range of different options, to help their baby achieve the sleep they need for healthy development and growth.

We strongly recommend people do what works for them – their baby, their family, their own comfort zone and intuition.

Is it ok to sleep train?

Yes! We think so – we have dedicated years and years to sleep training our children and helping thousands of families achieve better sleep in a gentle, flexible way.

It is fine to sleep train your baby as long as you are following safe sleep rules and being safe generally. It is fine not to sleep train your baby. What is not fine is make others feel bad about how they choose to deal with sleep, so be kind to all mums, no matter their approach – it’s a tough job and everyone is doing their best.

‘Put on your own mask first, before helping others’ – those word will be familiar to anyone who has ever boarded a plane (remember that?! The good old days hey). But when was the last time you stopped to make sure you were fitting your own mask, before tending to your little ones?

The advice is nothing new, but when push comes to shove – it can be seriously hard to prioritise your needs over those of your little ones even sometimes.

Parenting, and the juggles that come with it, can be intense – whether you’re a working mama, running a home, studying between feeds, running a farm, balancing blended families. Having these little people rely on us is a joy and a privilege but it can also be seriously challenging, and demanding in ways we never even dreamed of! (Who knew you can cut toast into the ‘wrong’ kind of triangles? Or that it is possible to cry and scream simultaneously?)

You can’t pour from an empty cup, and it is so important that as mamas we find some time to fill up our own stores of energy and joy. Especially in these challenging times – lockdowns, alarming world news – your wellbeing truly does matter. We talk about this more in the Mindful Parenting sections of our Sleep Guides – we can’t help regulate a baby (and their sleep) if we are not emotionally regulated ourselves!

So, we’re not saying that you need to book in a hot stone massage or rosé-fuelled long lunch (although now you mention it…) – it can be as simple as writing a quick hit list of small, achievable things that you know fill YOUR cup.

An hour curled up in bed streaming your fave show, a coffee and walk with a girlfriend, reading your book instead of tidying when the baby naps. Blasting 90s pop and shaking off some of the stress, calling an old friend, meditating. It doesn’t matter so much what it is, but that it is for you, and brings you some joy.

In turn, you’ll have some more patience, more energy, more joy – and that benefits the whole family, not just you.

Parents of newborns – we know finding time for you can be challenging especially in the early months. Can you call on some people in your family, community or network to help? Often with newborns, people are afraid of stepping on toes and love a clear request – ‘Can you stay with the baby while they nap while I walk with a friend?’. When we’re not used to asking for that time for ourselves, it can be tricky but try it out – we promise it gets easier with practice!

It’s not unusual to find parenting frustrating and really tricky at times – it’s totally normal, in fact! We really encourage you to reach out for support from your communities or on our forum. You’re never alone and sometimes sharing experiences can take a mental load off your mind (shout out to all the mamas who share their struggles openly!).

Of course, if you experience a constant low mood or anxiety, or some more extreme symptoms, we encourage you to seek professional support: speaking to your GP or Maternal Child Health Nurse can be a good place to start, and PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) have great resources as well as a free National helpline (1300 726 306). One in seven women in Australia experience postnatal depression – if this is you, you are not alone and help is available.

We see you mamas, and you’re doing a damn fine job. You deserve to take time to fill your cup!

Remember the days when a sleep in meant waking up past 9am? And now there are days when you see 7.03am and think ‘Thank heavens for my sleep in…’

While the reality is you probably won’t return to those regular long, lazy mornings languishing in bed with a coffee or a book anytime soon, there are many practical ways to help if your little one is a super early riser.

Now, first things first. When we talk about babies and toddlers, an ‘early riser’ is not a baby who is up at 6.30am after a 12-hour sleep. That’s a definite win in baby-and-toddler-parent land. We’re talking about when your bundle of joy is beating the roosters to greet the day.

Of course, your baby or toddler will naturally go through disruptions and unsettled periods – teething, changes to routine, developmental leaps and stages. A few early mornings are not cause for concern. If your little ones’ early rising (before 6am) has carried on consistently for over a week, and you want to try and shuffle the wake time forward, here are some things to look at and address:

Sound: Are there noisy birds right outside your baby’s window? Neighbours revving their engine when leaving at the crack of dawn? An early alarm clock going off for another member of the family? There’s nothing like an external noise waking your peacefully sleeping baby, and while some things are truly out of your control, you can always try turning up the white noise machine to drown out some of the unavoidable noises. If you don’t have one already, we have a great little portable sound machine.

Temperature: Often the temperature can drop in the early morning – while we can easily pull up another blanket ourselves, babies don’t have this luxury. Being too hot can also be an issue. Check that the room is around 19-22 degrees, and that the sleeping bag TOG is appropriate for the climate and heating situation in your home. Plenty of brands that make sleeping bags have great resources about the ideal temperature and layers needed under their sleeping bags.

Light: Let there be… dark! A dark room increases production of melatonin, the sleepy hormone. Light sneaking in can affect quality of sleep, and your little ones’ ability to resettle themselves. As they get older, they may become distracted if they can see their toys, books, or shadows playing on the wall (it’s mind blowing how many creatures a two-year-old can see in the shadows…).

Aim for a totally dark room, if this is not possible with your existing blinds/curtains you can try blackout blinds, like these.

Hunger: Now unless you’re into intermittent fasting, most adults would not go for 12 or 13 hours between meals (or some pre bed toast or choccie biscuits). This is often the gap babies will go between feeds/meals so it is not surprising that many wake early due to hunger. Take a look to ensure they’re getting sufficient sustenance during the day – for smaller babes, check the milk/formula feeds recommended for their age and weight, and once solids are in the mix, check their protein and carbohydrate needs are met. Load then up with sufficient sustenance in the day to increase your chances of a ‘sleep in’.

It’s worth saying that some children simply are early risers – like some adults continue to be. Some babies or toddlers can happily start their day at 5.30am. Also, if your little one’s morning wake up time suits your family, and they’re getting enough sleep for their age, then that’s fine! Babies are not robots and nor are families. If you’re getting enough sleep, and everyone is healthy and content, there is no reason to change things.

There are a number of other factors to consider if the above don’t seem to make a difference. There’s plenty more information in our Sleep Guides, with complete checklists to cross off.

And if not, there’s a coffee with your name on it mama, you’re doing an excellent job.

Have you ever walked from the nice calm world into a shop where the music is REALLY, REALLY LOUD? It’s so jarring!

 Well that, in reverse, is what happens to our babies. They’re in the womb, warm, snug and safe for 9 months. As their hearing develops, the sound of our bodies is constant for them – like a song that never ends, but a good one. Our heartbeat. Our blood. Our voice (and yes, even our car singing), their dad’s voice; they’re there for it all and it reassures them.

And when they finally land in your arms – it’s so QUIET without all that noise! This is why we swear by white noise for all baby sleeps. it is such a positive sleep association; it both soothes your baby and also lets them know now is a good time for sleep.

 Enter the Sleepy Portable Sound Machine; a handy, smart machine that offers 6 different soothing sounds for your baby:

♪          Lullaby

☔︎        Rain

♩          Shooshing sound

♥︎        Fetal heartbeat

༄               White noise

⚓︎        Ocean Waves

The machine is easily portable (has a clip for easy hanging), automatically enters sleep mode after 30 mins (saving battery), USB chargeable… the list goes on! But for us, the star of the show is that it is voice activated; when your baby makes noise, the sound kicks in! This feature could save you a whole resettle, and we know the less interrupted the sleep, the better.

Being compact and portable, it can go wherever you are. Hang it from the pram, pop it near baby in the car – use it as a message that even though they’re not in their nice comfy bed and dark room, that sleep is the next step for them.

So simple a dad could use it (sorry dads, we really do love you!), a colour scheme that will work with anything AND a sleep saviour? Run, don’t walk! You can find them here.

Red light and sleep – a match made in heaven

If you follow us on socials, you’ll know that we are big believers in dark rooms for baby sleep – and for babies up to 18 months that is certainly the case – but night lights do have a time and a place.

The time – like we said, after 18 months of age. For some children, this can be when the dark is full of scary unknowns, and when a nightlight can provide comfort for any of those night time wake ups – and hopefully stop them from getting out of bed!

So what sort of light? You’ve probably heard about the pitfalls of blue light (we admit – we sometimes use our phones before sleep but we also agree with the science behind this being a bad idea) – but what about red light?

Blue, white, or green light sources – however dim – can be detrimental to sleep as they emit blue light waves. Blue light is a stimulant that actually boosts attention and reaction times, which interrupt the production of melatonin (the sleepy hormone).

Here’s the secret that you need to know – red light is a higher wavelength and boosts melatonin production. Red light can help support good sleep! And it gives out enough light to reassure them they are home in bed and safe, without drawing them into being fully awake.

There are lots of ways to bring red light into your child’s sleep; our Sleepy Light is can provide one of four gentle warm/red-based light tones, sound machine, diffuser and humidifier all in one. You can also buy red light bulbs, or smart light bulbs that can be any colour, for a lamp you already have, or red wall plugs.

If you are looking for light that supports good sleep we urge you – think red!

The Baby Sleep School App was created after years of runaway success with the Baby Sleep School online sleep programs. The idea was born when founders Marissa Wallis and Amelia Lamont were struggling to get their own babies to sleep; they went the extra mile, both became qualified sleep consultants and started Baby Sleep School.

Together, Marissa and Amelia have helped thousands of families worldwide achieve sleep success with their popular online downloadable sleep programs.

But – they wanted to do more to help and support mums! In addition to offering many products and services to help teach babies great sleep habits, they have created an holistic approach to sleep training, with a focus on supporting mums to assist with their baby’s sleep. The Sleepy App is the key; one platform with all the information you need to achieve sleep success – easy, quick and ready to help at all times

Once you purchase a Baby Sleep School program (Newborn, 3-12 months, 12-24 months and Toddler) from our website, you will be sent a link to download the Sleepy App for free. You can then access your sleep program guide on the App, making finding that one priceless nugget of information that will help, that much easier.

Sleepy App – your sleep saviour

Need a sleep saviour in your pocket?

Your wish is our command! Free with a purchase of one of our Sleep Programs, our Sleepy App has all the help, support and resources you need to master baby sleep in one place. Info from our sleep programs? Tick! Community section and forum with chat room, to learn from other mamas in our community? Tick! And because we are passionate about women’s health – a wellness hub for YOU, because a well mama is a happy mama! Includes yoga videos, fitness info and breathing and mediation exercises… tick, tick, tick! You can also get access to bonus content for all age groups, including info on regressions, first aid, sleep safety, settling techniques and more. TICK! Some of these are paid features; you can find out more about that below.

Download the Sleepy App today, available on: 

• IOS
• Google Play

Why should I pay for the additional monthly subscription fee? What extra help am I getting?

The Sleepy App is designed to be a simple way to access all your baby sleep requirements from one platform. The subscription fee is based on providing you with additional functions to support you through sleep training your baby, including the community forum, chat, additional resources and wellness hub.

The difference between a sleep program and the Sleepy App is that the app allows parents to access the program through the app and pay for additional features and services if you require more support. You can also purchase programs through at the app, as your baby grows and develops.

The additional features included in a subscription include:

 Community forum

The Community Forum is a virtual chat room; it is similar to our wonderful Facebook community with more one-on-one support. Certified sleep consultants will be available during peak times to answer your questions and assist you throughout the day when things don’t quite go to plan! Don’t underestimate the power of community!

Wellness hub

The Wellness hub was created to provide Mums with the tools to take some time out for themselves. We are HUGE believers in the benefits of a healthy body and healthy mind, especially for mums. The benefits of exercise include better sleep, improved memory and higher energy levels; it also improves mental health and helps to protect women from conditions like anxiety and depression. Currently in Australia, as many as 1 in 3 women will experience anxiety in their lifetime, and being active can serve as a powerful tool for preventing and managing symptoms associated with this condition.

Remember – it is NOT selfish to prioritise your health!

When it comes to health and fitness advice, it’s important to get the right advice from a qualified professional – that’s why we are working with Renee McGeoch, a qualified post-partum fitness instructor and absolute gem, to deliver safe and effective exercises. Our movement sessions will be mainly interval training and include activation and mobility exercises.

 Our yoga and meditation classes are beautiful and relaxing, allowing deep stretching and breathing for a slower pace. Our yoga instructor, the gorgeous Beth has created some incredible videos for you to access 24/7 and work at your own pace in the comfort of your own home.

If you’re not sure if you are ready for these kinds of activities, please consult a health professional before starting.

Additional resources

These are like the bonus track on your favourite album…. The Additional resources section was created because after years of helping families, we realised there some questions we heard over and over. We kept track of them over the years and now we have answered all your pressing questions in the Additional resources section of the Sleepy App. Broken down into topics, these FAQ are a game-changer – you get access to some in-depth, step-by step knowledge from our experts.

The topics included in are:

• Pre-natal
• Newborn 
• 3 - 12 months
• 12 - 24 months
• 2 - 4 years
• Sleep safety
• Settling techniques
• Sleep regressions
• Developmental leaps
• Your mental health
• Sickness and illness
• First aid
• Sleep safety 101
• The science of sleep
• About us

Being a stay at home mums is by far the hardest job in the world. It’s selfless, tiring, worthwhile & at times isolating .. make sure you spend as much time outside of your house enjoying the sunshine and fresh air and organise catch ups with friends as regularly as possible. Your sanity needs it & it is good for bub too .. If you are worried about your social life interfering with your baby’s routine then don’t.. Get out between naps & no big deal if your social life takes over nap time here or there .. our every second day rule will have you feeling much more relaxed about sleep & will see you enjoying more of motherhood then ever before 🌙 happy Monday Mumma’s x

In an Australian first, young parents will have access to highly sought after sleep support for their babies, as part of a new partnership between the Brave Foundation and Baby Sleep School.

Sleep deprivation is a common complaint of new parents, but for those who are still navigating their teenage years, the transition to parenthood can be infinitely more challenging.

Baby Sleep School has joined forces with the Brave Foundation to provide free and on-going sleep help to families in need of support. Those involved in the new initiative will receive a personalised sleep plan, detailed advice around their babies sleeping needs at every age, and access to Baby Sleep School’s team of qualified baby sleep consultants.

“In the past 10 years almost 80,000 new mothers were aged under 20 at the time of the birth of their children, and like all new parents they need a village of support around them as they embark on their parenting journey,” said Brave Foundation CEO Jill Roche.

“We are so pleased to create this partnership with Baby Sleep School to ensure young parents are also provided with valuable guidance around their child’s sleep. Now participants in Brave’s program will be able to access additional help to ensure that they, and their children, are getting the rest they need in a safe and supported way.”

The Brave Foundation is a not- for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting these mothers and fathers from pregnancy and through the early years of parenting, and now sleep support will be added to the list of resources, education and referrals that Brave provides.

Recent statistics show more than 5-thousand babies are born in Australia each year to mothers under the age of 20.

”The data is clear - young mothers are one of Australia’s most disadvantaged groups,” said Marissa Wallis, founder and CEO of Baby Sleep School.

“Parenthood is demanding,and young parents face many of the same challenges as other parents, as well as other adversities''. We want to help these young parents by increasing their parenting skills and giving them confidence”.

The role of the qualified Baby Sleep Consultants at Baby Sleep School will be understanding the individual Parents' needs arising from their personal history and current life situation. As well as the shared and individual needs of young parents to then develop services that respond to these needs.

“We want to ensure these mothers and fathers are far better supported, and one of the ways we can do that is by providing education and information around a baby’s sleeping and feeding needs,” she said.

“There is significant research to show sleep deprivation increases the likelihood of things like brain fog, mood swings, and post-natal anxiety and depression, so supporting these young parents to improve their baby’s sleep - and in turn their own - is imperative.

To learn more about the Brave Foundation, visit bravefoundation.org.au

Baby Sleep School can be found at sleepschool.co

Mothers have been teaching their babies to sleep since the dawn of time. From rocking them to replicate the movement they would have felt in the womb, to gently resettling them when they need more than a catnap, and everything in between – mothers know sleep is important to a baby’s growth and development.

In the traditional village setting of the past, women would share hard-won experience knowledge with one another in the course of their days– ‘This worked for my baby’, or ‘Have you tried making a ‘shusssh’ sound?’ – and each family would figure out what worked for them.

What we do at Baby Sleep School is kind of like a modern version of that – we share what we have learned, through education, our tribe, our experiences in helping families find healthy sleep habits and our personal experience with our own families. We want to help families who are crying out for better sleep – it’s as simple as that.

Sleep training always equals ‘cry it out’, doesn’t it?

No! Not at all. This is such a common misconception – there are so many ways to sleep train, and while some people and organisations recommend ‘cry it out’, which is based upon allowing a baby to cry for extended periods of time without providing hands on reassurance, we do not.

All sleep training/teaching systems are not the same. We offer practical and gentle sleep advice and take care to help parents understand their babies better, and about how to approach the different types of cries your baby may do in bed. Never ever will you hear us recommending you leave your baby to cry themselves to sleep.

Why is sleep so important?

Sleep isn’t a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a health and wellness must. And that goes for everyone – for babies, for mothers, for children – for adults! But we want to explore why sleep is something we can’t take for granted…

• for babies: so much of a baby’s growth and development happens when they sleep – most of their brain development happens during sleep, synapses are formed, memories stored – they’re busy when they’re sleeping! A rested baby also tends to eat better, which is key for development, as well as their general mood.
  
• for mothers: the wellbeing of mothers is vital to the wellbeing of their babies. There are so many mums out there that are exhausted, overextended and pouring from an empty cup. When baby sleeps well, everyone sleeps well, resulting in happier, more resilient parents! Poor sleep can affect every part of an adult’s life, and make life so much harder than it needs to be. We genuinely believe, and have seen, that good sleep makes for much happier families and especially mums – as well as beautiful, happy, bouncing babies.

Should everyone sleep train?

Goodness no! Some people will want to, like we did when we needed help teaching our first babies to sleep, and some people won’t – and that’s totally fine! Sleep training, like everything parenting, is not a ‘one size fits all’ situation. Our guidelines are just that – guidelines! We aim to provide parents with gentle tools, tips and most importantly, a range of different options, to help their baby achieve the sleep they need for healthy development and growth.

We strongly recommend people do what works for them – their baby, their family, their own comfort zone and intuition.

Is it ok to sleep train?

Yes! We think so – we have dedicated years and years to sleep training our children and helping thousands of families achieve better sleep in a gentle, flexible way.

It is fine to sleep train your baby as long as you are following safe sleep rules and being safe generally. It is fine not to sleep train your baby. What is not fine is make others feel bad about how they choose to deal with sleep, so be kind to all mums, no matter their approach – it’s a tough job and everyone is doing their best.

‘Put on your own mask first, before helping others’ – those word will be familiar to anyone who has ever boarded a plane (remember that?! The good old days hey). But when was the last time you stopped to make sure you were fitting your own mask, before tending to your little ones?

The advice is nothing new, but when push comes to shove – it can be seriously hard to prioritise your needs over those of your little ones even sometimes.

Parenting, and the juggles that come with it, can be intense – whether you’re a working mama, running a home, studying between feeds, running a farm, balancing blended families. Having these little people rely on us is a joy and a privilege but it can also be seriously challenging, and demanding in ways we never even dreamed of! (Who knew you can cut toast into the ‘wrong’ kind of triangles? Or that it is possible to cry and scream simultaneously?)

You can’t pour from an empty cup, and it is so important that as mamas we find some time to fill up our own stores of energy and joy. Especially in these challenging times – lockdowns, alarming world news – your wellbeing truly does matter. We talk about this more in the Mindful Parenting sections of our Sleep Guides – we can’t help regulate a baby (and their sleep) if we are not emotionally regulated ourselves!

So, we’re not saying that you need to book in a hot stone massage or rosé-fuelled long lunch (although now you mention it…) – it can be as simple as writing a quick hit list of small, achievable things that you know fill YOUR cup.

An hour curled up in bed streaming your fave show, a coffee and walk with a girlfriend, reading your book instead of tidying when the baby naps. Blasting 90s pop and shaking off some of the stress, calling an old friend, meditating. It doesn’t matter so much what it is, but that it is for you, and brings you some joy.

In turn, you’ll have some more patience, more energy, more joy – and that benefits the whole family, not just you.

Parents of newborns – we know finding time for you can be challenging especially in the early months. Can you call on some people in your family, community or network to help? Often with newborns, people are afraid of stepping on toes and love a clear request – ‘Can you stay with the baby while they nap while I walk with a friend?’. When we’re not used to asking for that time for ourselves, it can be tricky but try it out – we promise it gets easier with practice!

It’s not unusual to find parenting frustrating and really tricky at times – it’s totally normal, in fact! We really encourage you to reach out for support from your communities or on our forum. You’re never alone and sometimes sharing experiences can take a mental load off your mind (shout out to all the mamas who share their struggles openly!).

Of course, if you experience a constant low mood or anxiety, or some more extreme symptoms, we encourage you to seek professional support: speaking to your GP or Maternal Child Health Nurse can be a good place to start, and PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) have great resources as well as a free National helpline (1300 726 306). One in seven women in Australia experience postnatal depression – if this is you, you are not alone and help is available.

We see you mamas, and you’re doing a damn fine job. You deserve to take time to fill your cup!

Remember the days when a sleep in meant waking up past 9am? And now there are days when you see 7.03am and think ‘Thank heavens for my sleep in…’

While the reality is you probably won’t return to those regular long, lazy mornings languishing in bed with a coffee or a book anytime soon, there are many practical ways to help if your little one is a super early riser.

Now, first things first. When we talk about babies and toddlers, an ‘early riser’ is not a baby who is up at 6.30am after a 12-hour sleep. That’s a definite win in baby-and-toddler-parent land. We’re talking about when your bundle of joy is beating the roosters to greet the day.

Of course, your baby or toddler will naturally go through disruptions and unsettled periods – teething, changes to routine, developmental leaps and stages. A few early mornings are not cause for concern. If your little ones’ early rising (before 6am) has carried on consistently for over a week, and you want to try and shuffle the wake time forward, here are some things to look at and address:

Sound: Are there noisy birds right outside your baby’s window? Neighbours revving their engine when leaving at the crack of dawn? An early alarm clock going off for another member of the family? There’s nothing like an external noise waking your peacefully sleeping baby, and while some things are truly out of your control, you can always try turning up the white noise machine to drown out some of the unavoidable noises. If you don’t have one already, we have a great little portable sound machine.

Temperature: Often the temperature can drop in the early morning – while we can easily pull up another blanket ourselves, babies don’t have this luxury. Being too hot can also be an issue. Check that the room is around 19-22 degrees, and that the sleeping bag TOG is appropriate for the climate and heating situation in your home. Plenty of brands that make sleeping bags have great resources about the ideal temperature and layers needed under their sleeping bags.

Light: Let there be… dark! A dark room increases production of melatonin, the sleepy hormone. Light sneaking in can affect quality of sleep, and your little ones’ ability to resettle themselves. As they get older, they may become distracted if they can see their toys, books, or shadows playing on the wall (it’s mind blowing how many creatures a two-year-old can see in the shadows…).

Aim for a totally dark room, if this is not possible with your existing blinds/curtains you can try blackout blinds, like these.

Hunger: Now unless you’re into intermittent fasting, most adults would not go for 12 or 13 hours between meals (or some pre bed toast or choccie biscuits). This is often the gap babies will go between feeds/meals so it is not surprising that many wake early due to hunger. Take a look to ensure they’re getting sufficient sustenance during the day – for smaller babes, check the milk/formula feeds recommended for their age and weight, and once solids are in the mix, check their protein and carbohydrate needs are met. Load then up with sufficient sustenance in the day to increase your chances of a ‘sleep in’.

It’s worth saying that some children simply are early risers – like some adults continue to be. Some babies or toddlers can happily start their day at 5.30am. Also, if your little one’s morning wake up time suits your family, and they’re getting enough sleep for their age, then that’s fine! Babies are not robots and nor are families. If you’re getting enough sleep, and everyone is healthy and content, there is no reason to change things.

There are a number of other factors to consider if the above don’t seem to make a difference. There’s plenty more information in our Sleep Guides, with complete checklists to cross off.

And if not, there’s a coffee with your name on it mama, you’re doing an excellent job.

The Sleepy Checklist

When you’re sleep deprived, your brain can’t quite manage the same tasks it nails when you’re well rested, and unfortunately, problem solving is one of the things it will struggle with most!

So, if your child’s sleep is a big problem, but your brain is struggling to find an answer; what do you do?!

Well, if you’re anything like we were before we sleep trained, a big cry and a cuppa is what you do! Next up, we’d recommend buying the relevant Sleepy Guidelines for your child through our Sleepy App – the golden advice in these has worked wonders for so many families.

But, for something you can do right now, we’ve come up with a checklist of questions that may help you make a start on saving your family’s sleep. Run your eye over down these lists and see if you can figure out a change that might work for your babe and your family…

 Baby’s sleep environment

• Is it warm enough/cool enough?
• Is it as dark as it can possibly be?
• Do you have white noise or ambient sound?
• Do they have an age-appropriate comforter?
• Is it calm (boring) enough? An exciting room can keep baby awake just from looking around.
• Does the baby feel happy or sad when they enter their room? If sleep is stressful, you may need to create some positive associations with the room.

Before bed/nap time

• Is your baby hungry or thirsty? These can really mess with sleep!
• Do you have a pre-bed routine? A bit of quiet time, then book, a cuddle, a song?
• Is your baby exhibiting tired signs? (And do you know what their tired signs are? This is key!)
• Does your baby need to go down earlier/later?
• Have you talked up how great their room/bed/sleep is during the day?
• Do they need a fresh nappy before bed so wetting through doesn’t wake them?

During sleep time

• Does your baby wake after a certain amount of time?
• What’s waking your baby? If they’re hungry, tank them up. Cold – more layers. Hot – less layers!
• Do you have a plan for how you’ll resettle them back to sleep? Make sure everyone in the family is on board!
• If they’re upset – can you settle them while they stay in their cot?

After their nap/in the morning

• If they slept well, did you give them lots of praise?
• Do they need a little cuddle before re-entering the world?

Mum and dad

• Have you and your partner talked about how you’ll approach sleep?
• If mum is breastfeeding and therefore associated with food, can the other parent deal with overnight wakeups?
• Are you and your partner on the same page with what you’ll do about bedtime and wakeups?
• Have you done everything you can think of? Do you need some extra help?

This is not everything, but it’s hopefully enough to give you that ‘oh, I need to try such-and-such’ moment. And if you need a little extra assistance, sing out! We’re here to help.      

Have you ever walked from the nice calm world into a shop where the music is REALLY, REALLY LOUD? It’s so jarring!

 Well that, in reverse, is what happens to our babies. They’re in the womb, warm, snug and safe for 9 months. As their hearing develops, the sound of our bodies is constant for them – like a song that never ends, but a good one. Our heartbeat. Our blood. Our voice (and yes, even our car singing), their dad’s voice; they’re there for it all and it reassures them.

And when they finally land in your arms – it’s so QUIET without all that noise! This is why we swear by white noise for all baby sleeps. it is such a positive sleep association; it both soothes your baby and also lets them know now is a good time for sleep.

 Enter the Sleepy Portable Sound Machine; a handy, smart machine that offers 6 different soothing sounds for your baby:

♪          Lullaby

☔︎        Rain

♩          Shooshing sound

♥︎        Fetal heartbeat

༄               White noise

⚓︎        Ocean Waves

The machine is easily portable (has a clip for easy hanging), automatically enters sleep mode after 30 mins (saving battery), USB chargeable… the list goes on! But for us, the star of the show is that it is voice activated; when your baby makes noise, the sound kicks in! This feature could save you a whole resettle, and we know the less interrupted the sleep, the better.

Being compact and portable, it can go wherever you are. Hang it from the pram, pop it near baby in the car – use it as a message that even though they’re not in their nice comfy bed and dark room, that sleep is the next step for them.

So simple a dad could use it (sorry dads, we really do love you!), a colour scheme that will work with anything AND a sleep saviour? Run, don’t walk! You can find them here.

Red light and sleep – a match made in heaven

If you follow us on socials, you’ll know that we are big believers in dark rooms for baby sleep – and for babies up to 18 months that is certainly the case – but night lights do have a time and a place.

The time – like we said, after 18 months of age. For some children, this can be when the dark is full of scary unknowns, and when a nightlight can provide comfort for any of those night time wake ups – and hopefully stop them from getting out of bed!

So what sort of light? You’ve probably heard about the pitfalls of blue light (we admit – we sometimes use our phones before sleep but we also agree with the science behind this being a bad idea) – but what about red light?

Blue, white, or green light sources – however dim – can be detrimental to sleep as they emit blue light waves. Blue light is a stimulant that actually boosts attention and reaction times, which interrupt the production of melatonin (the sleepy hormone).

Here’s the secret that you need to know – red light is a higher wavelength and boosts melatonin production. Red light can help support good sleep! And it gives out enough light to reassure them they are home in bed and safe, without drawing them into being fully awake.

There are lots of ways to bring red light into your child’s sleep; our Sleepy Light is can provide one of four gentle warm/red-based light tones, sound machine, diffuser and humidifier all in one. You can also buy red light bulbs, or smart light bulbs that can be any colour, for a lamp you already have, or red wall plugs.

If you are looking for light that supports good sleep we urge you – think red!

The Baby Sleep School App was created after years of runaway success with the Baby Sleep School online sleep programs. The idea was born when founders Marissa Wallis and Amelia Lamont were struggling to get their own babies to sleep; they went the extra mile, both became qualified sleep consultants and started Baby Sleep School.

Together, Marissa and Amelia have helped thousands of families worldwide achieve sleep success with their popular online downloadable sleep programs.

But – they wanted to do more to help and support mums! In addition to offering many products and services to help teach babies great sleep habits, they have created an holistic approach to sleep training, with a focus on supporting mums to assist with their baby’s sleep. The Sleepy App is the key; one platform with all the information you need to achieve sleep success – easy, quick and ready to help at all times

Once you purchase a Baby Sleep School program (Newborn, 3-12 months, 12-24 months and Toddler) from our website, you will be sent a link to download the Sleepy App for free. You can then access your sleep program guide on the App, making finding that one priceless nugget of information that will help, that much easier.

Sleepy App – your sleep saviour

Need a sleep saviour in your pocket?

Your wish is our command! Free with a purchase of one of our Sleep Programs, our Sleepy App has all the help, support and resources you need to master baby sleep in one place. Info from our sleep programs? Tick! Community section and forum with chat room, to learn from other mamas in our community? Tick! And because we are passionate about women’s health – a wellness hub for YOU, because a well mama is a happy mama! Includes yoga videos, fitness info and breathing and mediation exercises… tick, tick, tick! You can also get access to bonus content for all age groups, including info on regressions, first aid, sleep safety, settling techniques and more. TICK! Some of these are paid features; you can find out more about that below.

Download the Sleepy App today, available on: 

• IOS
• Google Play

Why should I pay for the additional monthly subscription fee? What extra help am I getting?

The Sleepy App is designed to be a simple way to access all your baby sleep requirements from one platform. The subscription fee is based on providing you with additional functions to support you through sleep training your baby, including the community forum, chat, additional resources and wellness hub.

The difference between a sleep program and the Sleepy App is that the app allows parents to access the program through the app and pay for additional features and services if you require more support. You can also purchase programs through at the app, as your baby grows and develops.

The additional features included in a subscription include:

 Community forum

The Community Forum is a virtual chat room; it is similar to our wonderful Facebook community with more one-on-one support. Certified sleep consultants will be available during peak times to answer your questions and assist you throughout the day when things don’t quite go to plan! Don’t underestimate the power of community!

Wellness hub

The Wellness hub was created to provide Mums with the tools to take some time out for themselves. We are HUGE believers in the benefits of a healthy body and healthy mind, especially for mums. The benefits of exercise include better sleep, improved memory and higher energy levels; it also improves mental health and helps to protect women from conditions like anxiety and depression. Currently in Australia, as many as 1 in 3 women will experience anxiety in their lifetime, and being active can serve as a powerful tool for preventing and managing symptoms associated with this condition.

Remember – it is NOT selfish to prioritise your health!

When it comes to health and fitness advice, it’s important to get the right advice from a qualified professional – that’s why we are working with Renee McGeoch, a qualified post-partum fitness instructor and absolute gem, to deliver safe and effective exercises. Our movement sessions will be mainly interval training and include activation and mobility exercises.

 Our yoga and meditation classes are beautiful and relaxing, allowing deep stretching and breathing for a slower pace. Our yoga instructor, the gorgeous Beth has created some incredible videos for you to access 24/7 and work at your own pace in the comfort of your own home.

If you’re not sure if you are ready for these kinds of activities, please consult a health professional before starting.

Additional resources

These are like the bonus track on your favourite album…. The Additional resources section was created because after years of helping families, we realised there some questions we heard over and over. We kept track of them over the years and now we have answered all your pressing questions in the Additional resources section of the Sleepy App. Broken down into topics, these FAQ are a game-changer – you get access to some in-depth, step-by step knowledge from our experts.

The topics included in are:

• Pre-natal
• Newborn 
• 3 - 12 months
• 12 - 24 months
• 2 - 4 years
• Sleep safety
• Settling techniques
• Sleep regressions
• Developmental leaps
• Your mental health
• Sickness and illness
• First aid
• Sleep safety 101
• The science of sleep
• About us

Being a stay at home mums is by far the hardest job in the world. It’s selfless, tiring, worthwhile & at times isolating .. make sure you spend as much time outside of your house enjoying the sunshine and fresh air and organise catch ups with friends as regularly as possible. Your sanity needs it & it is good for bub too .. If you are worried about your social life interfering with your baby’s routine then don’t.. Get out between naps & no big deal if your social life takes over nap time here or there .. our every second day rule will have you feeling much more relaxed about sleep & will see you enjoying more of motherhood then ever before 🌙 happy Monday Mumma’s x

In an Australian first, young parents will have access to highly sought after sleep support for their babies, as part of a new partnership between the Brave Foundation and Baby Sleep School.

Sleep deprivation is a common complaint of new parents, but for those who are still navigating their teenage years, the transition to parenthood can be infinitely more challenging.

Baby Sleep School has joined forces with the Brave Foundation to provide free and on-going sleep help to families in need of support. Those involved in the new initiative will receive a personalised sleep plan, detailed advice around their babies sleeping needs at every age, and access to Baby Sleep School’s team of qualified baby sleep consultants.

“In the past 10 years almost 80,000 new mothers were aged under 20 at the time of the birth of their children, and like all new parents they need a village of support around them as they embark on their parenting journey,” said Brave Foundation CEO Jill Roche.

“We are so pleased to create this partnership with Baby Sleep School to ensure young parents are also provided with valuable guidance around their child’s sleep. Now participants in Brave’s program will be able to access additional help to ensure that they, and their children, are getting the rest they need in a safe and supported way.”

The Brave Foundation is a not- for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting these mothers and fathers from pregnancy and through the early years of parenting, and now sleep support will be added to the list of resources, education and referrals that Brave provides.

Recent statistics show more than 5-thousand babies are born in Australia each year to mothers under the age of 20.

”The data is clear - young mothers are one of Australia’s most disadvantaged groups,” said Marissa Wallis, founder and CEO of Baby Sleep School.

“Parenthood is demanding,and young parents face many of the same challenges as other parents, as well as other adversities''. We want to help these young parents by increasing their parenting skills and giving them confidence”.

The role of the qualified Baby Sleep Consultants at Baby Sleep School will be understanding the individual Parents' needs arising from their personal history and current life situation. As well as the shared and individual needs of young parents to then develop services that respond to these needs.

“We want to ensure these mothers and fathers are far better supported, and one of the ways we can do that is by providing education and information around a baby’s sleeping and feeding needs,” she said.

“There is significant research to show sleep deprivation increases the likelihood of things like brain fog, mood swings, and post-natal anxiety and depression, so supporting these young parents to improve their baby’s sleep - and in turn their own - is imperative.

To learn more about the Brave Foundation, visit bravefoundation.org.au

Baby Sleep School can be found at sleepschool.co

Mothers have been teaching their babies to sleep since the dawn of time. From rocking them to replicate the movement they would have felt in the womb, to gently resettling them when they need more than a catnap, and everything in between – mothers know sleep is important to a baby’s growth and development.

In the traditional village setting of the past, women would share hard-won experience knowledge with one another in the course of their days– ‘This worked for my baby’, or ‘Have you tried making a ‘shusssh’ sound?’ – and each family would figure out what worked for them.

What we do at Baby Sleep School is kind of like a modern version of that – we share what we have learned, through education, our tribe, our experiences in helping families find healthy sleep habits and our personal experience with our own families. We want to help families who are crying out for better sleep – it’s as simple as that.

Sleep training always equals ‘cry it out’, doesn’t it?

No! Not at all. This is such a common misconception – there are so many ways to sleep train, and while some people and organisations recommend ‘cry it out’, which is based upon allowing a baby to cry for extended periods of time without providing hands on reassurance, we do not.

All sleep training/teaching systems are not the same. We offer practical and gentle sleep advice and take care to help parents understand their babies better, and about how to approach the different types of cries your baby may do in bed. Never ever will you hear us recommending you leave your baby to cry themselves to sleep.

Why is sleep so important?

Sleep isn’t a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a health and wellness must. And that goes for everyone – for babies, for mothers, for children – for adults! But we want to explore why sleep is something we can’t take for granted…

• for babies: so much of a baby’s growth and development happens when they sleep – most of their brain development happens during sleep, synapses are formed, memories stored – they’re busy when they’re sleeping! A rested baby also tends to eat better, which is key for development, as well as their general mood.
  
• for mothers: the wellbeing of mothers is vital to the wellbeing of their babies. There are so many mums out there that are exhausted, overextended and pouring from an empty cup. When baby sleeps well, everyone sleeps well, resulting in happier, more resilient parents! Poor sleep can affect every part of an adult’s life, and make life so much harder than it needs to be. We genuinely believe, and have seen, that good sleep makes for much happier families and especially mums – as well as beautiful, happy, bouncing babies.

Should everyone sleep train?

Goodness no! Some people will want to, like we did when we needed help teaching our first babies to sleep, and some people won’t – and that’s totally fine! Sleep training, like everything parenting, is not a ‘one size fits all’ situation. Our guidelines are just that – guidelines! We aim to provide parents with gentle tools, tips and most importantly, a range of different options, to help their baby achieve the sleep they need for healthy development and growth.

We strongly recommend people do what works for them – their baby, their family, their own comfort zone and intuition.

Is it ok to sleep train?

Yes! We think so – we have dedicated years and years to sleep training our children and helping thousands of families achieve better sleep in a gentle, flexible way.

It is fine to sleep train your baby as long as you are following safe sleep rules and being safe generally. It is fine not to sleep train your baby. What is not fine is make others feel bad about how they choose to deal with sleep, so be kind to all mums, no matter their approach – it’s a tough job and everyone is doing their best.

Remember the days when a sleep in meant waking up past 9am? And now there are days when you see 7.03am and think ‘Thank heavens for my sleep in…’

While the reality is you probably won’t return to those regular long, lazy mornings languishing in bed with a coffee or a book anytime soon, there are many practical ways to help if your little one is a super early riser.

Now, first things first. When we talk about babies and toddlers, an ‘early riser’ is not a baby who is up at 6.30am after a 12-hour sleep. That’s a definite win in baby-and-toddler-parent land. We’re talking about when your bundle of joy is beating the roosters to greet the day.

Of course, your baby or toddler will naturally go through disruptions and unsettled periods – teething, changes to routine, developmental leaps and stages. A few early mornings are not cause for concern. If your little ones’ early rising (before 6am) has carried on consistently for over a week, and you want to try and shuffle the wake time forward, here are some things to look at and address:

Sound: Are there noisy birds right outside your baby’s window? Neighbours revving their engine when leaving at the crack of dawn? An early alarm clock going off for another member of the family? There’s nothing like an external noise waking your peacefully sleeping baby, and while some things are truly out of your control, you can always try turning up the white noise machine to drown out some of the unavoidable noises. If you don’t have one already, we have a great little portable sound machine.

Temperature: Often the temperature can drop in the early morning – while we can easily pull up another blanket ourselves, babies don’t have this luxury. Being too hot can also be an issue. Check that the room is around 19-22 degrees, and that the sleeping bag TOG is appropriate for the climate and heating situation in your home. Plenty of brands that make sleeping bags have great resources about the ideal temperature and layers needed under their sleeping bags.

Light: Let there be… dark! A dark room increases production of melatonin, the sleepy hormone. Light sneaking in can affect quality of sleep, and your little ones’ ability to resettle themselves. As they get older, they may become distracted if they can see their toys, books, or shadows playing on the wall (it’s mind blowing how many creatures a two-year-old can see in the shadows…).

Aim for a totally dark room, if this is not possible with your existing blinds/curtains you can try blackout blinds, like these.

Hunger: Now unless you’re into intermittent fasting, most adults would not go for 12 or 13 hours between meals (or some pre bed toast or choccie biscuits). This is often the gap babies will go between feeds/meals so it is not surprising that many wake early due to hunger. Take a look to ensure they’re getting sufficient sustenance during the day – for smaller babes, check the milk/formula feeds recommended for their age and weight, and once solids are in the mix, check their protein and carbohydrate needs are met. Load then up with sufficient sustenance in the day to increase your chances of a ‘sleep in’.

It’s worth saying that some children simply are early risers – like some adults continue to be. Some babies or toddlers can happily start their day at 5.30am. Also, if your little one’s morning wake up time suits your family, and they’re getting enough sleep for their age, then that’s fine! Babies are not robots and nor are families. If you’re getting enough sleep, and everyone is healthy and content, there is no reason to change things.

There are a number of other factors to consider if the above don’t seem to make a difference. There’s plenty more information in our Sleep Guides, with complete checklists to cross off.

And if not, there’s a coffee with your name on it mama, you’re doing an excellent job.

Have you ever walked from the nice calm world into a shop where the music is REALLY, REALLY LOUD? It’s so jarring!

 Well that, in reverse, is what happens to our babies. They’re in the womb, warm, snug and safe for 9 months. As their hearing develops, the sound of our bodies is constant for them – like a song that never ends, but a good one. Our heartbeat. Our blood. Our voice (and yes, even our car singing), their dad’s voice; they’re there for it all and it reassures them.

And when they finally land in your arms – it’s so QUIET without all that noise! This is why we swear by white noise for all baby sleeps. it is such a positive sleep association; it both soothes your baby and also lets them know now is a good time for sleep.

 Enter the Sleepy Portable Sound Machine; a handy, smart machine that offers 6 different soothing sounds for your baby:

♪          Lullaby

☔︎        Rain

♩          Shooshing sound

♥︎        Fetal heartbeat

༄               White noise

⚓︎        Ocean Waves

The machine is easily portable (has a clip for easy hanging), automatically enters sleep mode after 30 mins (saving battery), USB chargeable… the list goes on! But for us, the star of the show is that it is voice activated; when your baby makes noise, the sound kicks in! This feature could save you a whole resettle, and we know the less interrupted the sleep, the better.

Being compact and portable, it can go wherever you are. Hang it from the pram, pop it near baby in the car – use it as a message that even though they’re not in their nice comfy bed and dark room, that sleep is the next step for them.

So simple a dad could use it (sorry dads, we really do love you!), a colour scheme that will work with anything AND a sleep saviour? Run, don’t walk! You can find them here.

Red light and sleep – a match made in heaven

If you follow us on socials, you’ll know that we are big believers in dark rooms for baby sleep – and for babies up to 18 months that is certainly the case – but night lights do have a time and a place.

The time – like we said, after 18 months of age. For some children, this can be when the dark is full of scary unknowns, and when a nightlight can provide comfort for any of those night time wake ups – and hopefully stop them from getting out of bed!

So what sort of light? You’ve probably heard about the pitfalls of blue light (we admit – we sometimes use our phones before sleep but we also agree with the science behind this being a bad idea) – but what about red light?

Blue, white, or green light sources – however dim – can be detrimental to sleep as they emit blue light waves. Blue light is a stimulant that actually boosts attention and reaction times, which interrupt the production of melatonin (the sleepy hormone).

Here’s the secret that you need to know – red light is a higher wavelength and boosts melatonin production. Red light can help support good sleep! And it gives out enough light to reassure them they are home in bed and safe, without drawing them into being fully awake.

There are lots of ways to bring red light into your child’s sleep; our Sleepy Light is can provide one of four gentle warm/red-based light tones, sound machine, diffuser and humidifier all in one. You can also buy red light bulbs, or smart light bulbs that can be any colour, for a lamp you already have, or red wall plugs.

If you are looking for light that supports good sleep we urge you – think red!

The Baby Sleep School App was created after years of runaway success with the Baby Sleep School online sleep programs. The idea was born when founders Marissa Wallis and Amelia Lamont were struggling to get their own babies to sleep; they went the extra mile, both became qualified sleep consultants and started Baby Sleep School.

Together, Marissa and Amelia have helped thousands of families worldwide achieve sleep success with their popular online downloadable sleep programs.

But – they wanted to do more to help and support mums! In addition to offering many products and services to help teach babies great sleep habits, they have created an holistic approach to sleep training, with a focus on supporting mums to assist with their baby’s sleep. The Sleepy App is the key; one platform with all the information you need to achieve sleep success – easy, quick and ready to help at all times

Once you purchase a Baby Sleep School program (Newborn, 3-12 months, 12-24 months and Toddler) from our website, you will be sent a link to download the Sleepy App for free. You can then access your sleep program guide on the App, making finding that one priceless nugget of information that will help, that much easier.

Sleepy App – your sleep saviour

Need a sleep saviour in your pocket?

Your wish is our command! Free with a purchase of one of our Sleep Programs, our Sleepy App has all the help, support and resources you need to master baby sleep in one place. Info from our sleep programs? Tick! Community section and forum with chat room, to learn from other mamas in our community? Tick! And because we are passionate about women’s health – a wellness hub for YOU, because a well mama is a happy mama! Includes yoga videos, fitness info and breathing and mediation exercises… tick, tick, tick! You can also get access to bonus content for all age groups, including info on regressions, first aid, sleep safety, settling techniques and more. TICK! Some of these are paid features; you can find out more about that below.

Download the Sleepy App today, available on: 

• IOS
• Google Play

Why should I pay for the additional monthly subscription fee? What extra help am I getting?

The Sleepy App is designed to be a simple way to access all your baby sleep requirements from one platform. The subscription fee is based on providing you with additional functions to support you through sleep training your baby, including the community forum, chat, additional resources and wellness hub.

The difference between a sleep program and the Sleepy App is that the app allows parents to access the program through the app and pay for additional features and services if you require more support. You can also purchase programs through at the app, as your baby grows and develops.

The additional features included in a subscription include:

 Community forum

The Community Forum is a virtual chat room; it is similar to our wonderful Facebook community with more one-on-one support. Certified sleep consultants will be available during peak times to answer your questions and assist you throughout the day when things don’t quite go to plan! Don’t underestimate the power of community!

Wellness hub

The Wellness hub was created to provide Mums with the tools to take some time out for themselves. We are HUGE believers in the benefits of a healthy body and healthy mind, especially for mums. The benefits of exercise include better sleep, improved memory and higher energy levels; it also improves mental health and helps to protect women from conditions like anxiety and depression. Currently in Australia, as many as 1 in 3 women will experience anxiety in their lifetime, and being active can serve as a powerful tool for preventing and managing symptoms associated with this condition.

Remember – it is NOT selfish to prioritise your health!

When it comes to health and fitness advice, it’s important to get the right advice from a qualified professional – that’s why we are working with Renee McGeoch, a qualified post-partum fitness instructor and absolute gem, to deliver safe and effective exercises. Our movement sessions will be mainly interval training and include activation and mobility exercises.

 Our yoga and meditation classes are beautiful and relaxing, allowing deep stretching and breathing for a slower pace. Our yoga instructor, the gorgeous Beth has created some incredible videos for you to access 24/7 and work at your own pace in the comfort of your own home.

If you’re not sure if you are ready for these kinds of activities, please consult a health professional before starting.

Additional resources

These are like the bonus track on your favourite album…. The Additional resources section was created because after years of helping families, we realised there some questions we heard over and over. We kept track of them over the years and now we have answered all your pressing questions in the Additional resources section of the Sleepy App. Broken down into topics, these FAQ are a game-changer – you get access to some in-depth, step-by step knowledge from our experts.

The topics included in are:

• Pre-natal
• Newborn 
• 3 - 12 months
• 12 - 24 months
• 2 - 4 years
• Sleep safety
• Settling techniques
• Sleep regressions
• Developmental leaps
• Your mental health
• Sickness and illness
• First aid
• Sleep safety 101
• The science of sleep
• About us

Being a stay at home mums is by far the hardest job in the world. It’s selfless, tiring, worthwhile & at times isolating .. make sure you spend as much time outside of your house enjoying the sunshine and fresh air and organise catch ups with friends as regularly as possible. Your sanity needs it & it is good for bub too .. If you are worried about your social life interfering with your baby’s routine then don’t.. Get out between naps & no big deal if your social life takes over nap time here or there .. our every second day rule will have you feeling much more relaxed about sleep & will see you enjoying more of motherhood then ever before 🌙 happy Monday Mumma’s x

In an Australian first, young parents will have access to highly sought after sleep support for their babies, as part of a new partnership between the Brave Foundation and Baby Sleep School.

Sleep deprivation is a common complaint of new parents, but for those who are still navigating their teenage years, the transition to parenthood can be infinitely more challenging.

Baby Sleep School has joined forces with the Brave Foundation to provide free and on-going sleep help to families in need of support. Those involved in the new initiative will receive a personalised sleep plan, detailed advice around their babies sleeping needs at every age, and access to Baby Sleep School’s team of qualified baby sleep consultants.

“In the past 10 years almost 80,000 new mothers were aged under 20 at the time of the birth of their children, and like all new parents they need a village of support around them as they embark on their parenting journey,” said Brave Foundation CEO Jill Roche.

“We are so pleased to create this partnership with Baby Sleep School to ensure young parents are also provided with valuable guidance around their child’s sleep. Now participants in Brave’s program will be able to access additional help to ensure that they, and their children, are getting the rest they need in a safe and supported way.”

The Brave Foundation is a not- for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting these mothers and fathers from pregnancy and through the early years of parenting, and now sleep support will be added to the list of resources, education and referrals that Brave provides.

Recent statistics show more than 5-thousand babies are born in Australia each year to mothers under the age of 20.

”The data is clear - young mothers are one of Australia’s most disadvantaged groups,” said Marissa Wallis, founder and CEO of Baby Sleep School.

“Parenthood is demanding,and young parents face many of the same challenges as other parents, as well as other adversities''. We want to help these young parents by increasing their parenting skills and giving them confidence”.

The role of the qualified Baby Sleep Consultants at Baby Sleep School will be understanding the individual Parents' needs arising from their personal history and current life situation. As well as the shared and individual needs of young parents to then develop services that respond to these needs.

“We want to ensure these mothers and fathers are far better supported, and one of the ways we can do that is by providing education and information around a baby’s sleeping and feeding needs,” she said.

“There is significant research to show sleep deprivation increases the likelihood of things like brain fog, mood swings, and post-natal anxiety and depression, so supporting these young parents to improve their baby’s sleep - and in turn their own - is imperative.

To learn more about the Brave Foundation, visit bravefoundation.org.au

Baby Sleep School can be found at sleepschool.co

Mothers have been teaching their babies to sleep since the dawn of time. From rocking them to replicate the movement they would have felt in the womb, to gently resettling them when they need more than a catnap, and everything in between – mothers know sleep is important to a baby’s growth and development.

In the traditional village setting of the past, women would share hard-won experience knowledge with one another in the course of their days– ‘This worked for my baby’, or ‘Have you tried making a ‘shusssh’ sound?’ – and each family would figure out what worked for them.

What we do at Baby Sleep School is kind of like a modern version of that – we share what we have learned, through education, our tribe, our experiences in helping families find healthy sleep habits and our personal experience with our own families. We want to help families who are crying out for better sleep – it’s as simple as that.

Sleep training always equals ‘cry it out’, doesn’t it?

No! Not at all. This is such a common misconception – there are so many ways to sleep train, and while some people and organisations recommend ‘cry it out’, which is based upon allowing a baby to cry for extended periods of time without providing hands on reassurance, we do not.

All sleep training/teaching systems are not the same. We offer practical and gentle sleep advice and take care to help parents understand their babies better, and about how to approach the different types of cries your baby may do in bed. Never ever will you hear us recommending you leave your baby to cry themselves to sleep.

Why is sleep so important?

Sleep isn’t a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a health and wellness must. And that goes for everyone – for babies, for mothers, for children – for adults! But we want to explore why sleep is something we can’t take for granted…

• for babies: so much of a baby’s growth and development happens when they sleep – most of their brain development happens during sleep, synapses are formed, memories stored – they’re busy when they’re sleeping! A rested baby also tends to eat better, which is key for development, as well as their general mood.
  
• for mothers: the wellbeing of mothers is vital to the wellbeing of their babies. There are so many mums out there that are exhausted, overextended and pouring from an empty cup. When baby sleeps well, everyone sleeps well, resulting in happier, more resilient parents! Poor sleep can affect every part of an adult’s life, and make life so much harder than it needs to be. We genuinely believe, and have seen, that good sleep makes for much happier families and especially mums – as well as beautiful, happy, bouncing babies.

Should everyone sleep train?

Goodness no! Some people will want to, like we did when we needed help teaching our first babies to sleep, and some people won’t – and that’s totally fine! Sleep training, like everything parenting, is not a ‘one size fits all’ situation. Our guidelines are just that – guidelines! We aim to provide parents with gentle tools, tips and most importantly, a range of different options, to help their baby achieve the sleep they need for healthy development and growth.

We strongly recommend people do what works for them – their baby, their family, their own comfort zone and intuition.

Is it ok to sleep train?

Yes! We think so – we have dedicated years and years to sleep training our children and helping thousands of families achieve better sleep in a gentle, flexible way.

It is fine to sleep train your baby as long as you are following safe sleep rules and being safe generally. It is fine not to sleep train your baby. What is not fine is make others feel bad about how they choose to deal with sleep, so be kind to all mums, no matter their approach – it’s a tough job and everyone is doing their best.

‘Put on your own mask first, before helping others’ – those word will be familiar to anyone who has ever boarded a plane (remember that?! The good old days hey). But when was the last time you stopped to make sure you were fitting your own mask, before tending to your little ones?

The advice is nothing new, but when push comes to shove – it can be seriously hard to prioritise your needs over those of your little ones even sometimes.

Parenting, and the juggles that come with it, can be intense – whether you’re a working mama, running a home, studying between feeds, running a farm, balancing blended families. Having these little people rely on us is a joy and a privilege but it can also be seriously challenging, and demanding in ways we never even dreamed of! (Who knew you can cut toast into the ‘wrong’ kind of triangles? Or that it is possible to cry and scream simultaneously?)

You can’t pour from an empty cup, and it is so important that as mamas we find some time to fill up our own stores of energy and joy. Especially in these challenging times – lockdowns, alarming world news – your wellbeing truly does matter. We talk about this more in the Mindful Parenting sections of our Sleep Guides – we can’t help regulate a baby (and their sleep) if we are not emotionally regulated ourselves!

So, we’re not saying that you need to book in a hot stone massage or rosé-fuelled long lunch (although now you mention it…) – it can be as simple as writing a quick hit list of small, achievable things that you know fill YOUR cup.

An hour curled up in bed streaming your fave show, a coffee and walk with a girlfriend, reading your book instead of tidying when the baby naps. Blasting 90s pop and shaking off some of the stress, calling an old friend, meditating. It doesn’t matter so much what it is, but that it is for you, and brings you some joy.

In turn, you’ll have some more patience, more energy, more joy – and that benefits the whole family, not just you.

Parents of newborns – we know finding time for you can be challenging especially in the early months. Can you call on some people in your family, community or network to help? Often with newborns, people are afraid of stepping on toes and love a clear request – ‘Can you stay with the baby while they nap while I walk with a friend?’. When we’re not used to asking for that time for ourselves, it can be tricky but try it out – we promise it gets easier with practice!

It’s not unusual to find parenting frustrating and really tricky at times – it’s totally normal, in fact! We really encourage you to reach out for support from your communities or on our forum. You’re never alone and sometimes sharing experiences can take a mental load off your mind (shout out to all the mamas who share their struggles openly!).

Of course, if you experience a constant low mood or anxiety, or some more extreme symptoms, we encourage you to seek professional support: speaking to your GP or Maternal Child Health Nurse can be a good place to start, and PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) have great resources as well as a free National helpline (1300 726 306). One in seven women in Australia experience postnatal depression – if this is you, you are not alone and help is available.

We see you mamas, and you’re doing a damn fine job. You deserve to take time to fill your cup!

Remember the days when a sleep in meant waking up past 9am? And now there are days when you see 7.03am and think ‘Thank heavens for my sleep in…’

While the reality is you probably won’t return to those regular long, lazy mornings languishing in bed with a coffee or a book anytime soon, there are many practical ways to help if your little one is a super early riser.

Now, first things first. When we talk about babies and toddlers, an ‘early riser’ is not a baby who is up at 6.30am after a 12-hour sleep. That’s a definite win in baby-and-toddler-parent land. We’re talking about when your bundle of joy is beating the roosters to greet the day.

Of course, your baby or toddler will naturally go through disruptions and unsettled periods – teething, changes to routine, developmental leaps and stages. A few early mornings are not cause for concern. If your little ones’ early rising (before 6am) has carried on consistently for over a week, and you want to try and shuffle the wake time forward, here are some things to look at and address:

Sound: Are there noisy birds right outside your baby’s window? Neighbours revving their engine when leaving at the crack of dawn? An early alarm clock going off for another member of the family? There’s nothing like an external noise waking your peacefully sleeping baby, and while some things are truly out of your control, you can always try turning up the white noise machine to drown out some of the unavoidable noises. If you don’t have one already, we have a great little portable sound machine.

Temperature: Often the temperature can drop in the early morning – while we can easily pull up another blanket ourselves, babies don’t have this luxury. Being too hot can also be an issue. Check that the room is around 19-22 degrees, and that the sleeping bag TOG is appropriate for the climate and heating situation in your home. Plenty of brands that make sleeping bags have great resources about the ideal temperature and layers needed under their sleeping bags.

Light: Let there be… dark! A dark room increases production of melatonin, the sleepy hormone. Light sneaking in can affect quality of sleep, and your little ones’ ability to resettle themselves. As they get older, they may become distracted if they can see their toys, books, or shadows playing on the wall (it’s mind blowing how many creatures a two-year-old can see in the shadows…).

Aim for a totally dark room, if this is not possible with your existing blinds/curtains you can try blackout blinds, like these.

Hunger: Now unless you’re into intermittent fasting, most adults would not go for 12 or 13 hours between meals (or some pre bed toast or choccie biscuits). This is often the gap babies will go between feeds/meals so it is not surprising that many wake early due to hunger. Take a look to ensure they’re getting sufficient sustenance during the day – for smaller babes, check the milk/formula feeds recommended for their age and weight, and once solids are in the mix, check their protein and carbohydrate needs are met. Load then up with sufficient sustenance in the day to increase your chances of a ‘sleep in’.

It’s worth saying that some children simply are early risers – like some adults continue to be. Some babies or toddlers can happily start their day at 5.30am. Also, if your little one’s morning wake up time suits your family, and they’re getting enough sleep for their age, then that’s fine! Babies are not robots and nor are families. If you’re getting enough sleep, and everyone is healthy and content, there is no reason to change things.

There are a number of other factors to consider if the above don’t seem to make a difference. There’s plenty more information in our Sleep Guides, with complete checklists to cross off.

And if not, there’s a coffee with your name on it mama, you’re doing an excellent job.

The Sleepy Checklist

When you’re sleep deprived, your brain can’t quite manage the same tasks it nails when you’re well rested, and unfortunately, problem solving is one of the things it will struggle with most!

So, if your child’s sleep is a big problem, but your brain is struggling to find an answer; what do you do?!

Well, if you’re anything like we were before we sleep trained, a big cry and a cuppa is what you do! Next up, we’d recommend buying the relevant Sleepy Guidelines for your child through our Sleepy App – the golden advice in these has worked wonders for so many families.

But, for something you can do right now, we’ve come up with a checklist of questions that may help you make a start on saving your family’s sleep. Run your eye over down these lists and see if you can figure out a change that might work for your babe and your family…

 Baby’s sleep environment

• Is it warm enough/cool enough?
• Is it as dark as it can possibly be?
• Do you have white noise or ambient sound?
• Do they have an age-appropriate comforter?
• Is it calm (boring) enough? An exciting room can keep baby awake just from looking around.
• Does the baby feel happy or sad when they enter their room? If sleep is stressful, you may need to create some positive associations with the room.

Before bed/nap time

• Is your baby hungry or thirsty? These can really mess with sleep!
• Do you have a pre-bed routine? A bit of quiet time, then book, a cuddle, a song?
• Is your baby exhibiting tired signs? (And do you know what their tired signs are? This is key!)
• Does your baby need to go down earlier/later?
• Have you talked up how great their room/bed/sleep is during the day?
• Do they need a fresh nappy before bed so wetting through doesn’t wake them?

During sleep time

• Does your baby wake after a certain amount of time?
• What’s waking your baby? If they’re hungry, tank them up. Cold – more layers. Hot – less layers!
• Do you have a plan for how you’ll resettle them back to sleep? Make sure everyone in the family is on board!
• If they’re upset – can you settle them while they stay in their cot?

After their nap/in the morning

• If they slept well, did you give them lots of praise?
• Do they need a little cuddle before re-entering the world?

Mum and dad

• Have you and your partner talked about how you’ll approach sleep?
• If mum is breastfeeding and therefore associated with food, can the other parent deal with overnight wakeups?
• Are you and your partner on the same page with what you’ll do about bedtime and wakeups?
• Have you done everything you can think of? Do you need some extra help?

This is not everything, but it’s hopefully enough to give you that ‘oh, I need to try such-and-such’ moment. And if you need a little extra assistance, sing out! We’re here to help.      

Have you ever walked from the nice calm world into a shop where the music is REALLY, REALLY LOUD? It’s so jarring!

 Well that, in reverse, is what happens to our babies. They’re in the womb, warm, snug and safe for 9 months. As their hearing develops, the sound of our bodies is constant for them – like a song that never ends, but a good one. Our heartbeat. Our blood. Our voice (and yes, even our car singing), their dad’s voice; they’re there for it all and it reassures them.

And when they finally land in your arms – it’s so QUIET without all that noise! This is why we swear by white noise for all baby sleeps. it is such a positive sleep association; it both soothes your baby and also lets them know now is a good time for sleep.

 Enter the Sleepy Portable Sound Machine; a handy, smart machine that offers 6 different soothing sounds for your baby:

♪          Lullaby

☔︎        Rain

♩          Shooshing sound

♥︎        Fetal heartbeat

༄               White noise

⚓︎        Ocean Waves

The machine is easily portable (has a clip for easy hanging), automatically enters sleep mode after 30 mins (saving battery), USB chargeable… the list goes on! But for us, the star of the show is that it is voice activated; when your baby makes noise, the sound kicks in! This feature could save you a whole resettle, and we know the less interrupted the sleep, the better.

Being compact and portable, it can go wherever you are. Hang it from the pram, pop it near baby in the car – use it as a message that even though they’re not in their nice comfy bed and dark room, that sleep is the next step for them.

So simple a dad could use it (sorry dads, we really do love you!), a colour scheme that will work with anything AND a sleep saviour? Run, don’t walk! You can find them here.

Red light and sleep – a match made in heaven

If you follow us on socials, you’ll know that we are big believers in dark rooms for baby sleep – and for babies up to 18 months that is certainly the case – but night lights do have a time and a place.

The time – like we said, after 18 months of age. For some children, this can be when the dark is full of scary unknowns, and when a nightlight can provide comfort for any of those night time wake ups – and hopefully stop them from getting out of bed!

So what sort of light? You’ve probably heard about the pitfalls of blue light (we admit – we sometimes use our phones before sleep but we also agree with the science behind this being a bad idea) – but what about red light?

Blue, white, or green light sources – however dim – can be detrimental to sleep as they emit blue light waves. Blue light is a stimulant that actually boosts attention and reaction times, which interrupt the production of melatonin (the sleepy hormone).

Here’s the secret that you need to know – red light is a higher wavelength and boosts melatonin production. Red light can help support good sleep! And it gives out enough light to reassure them they are home in bed and safe, without drawing them into being fully awake.

There are lots of ways to bring red light into your child’s sleep; our Sleepy Light is can provide one of four gentle warm/red-based light tones, sound machine, diffuser and humidifier all in one. You can also buy red light bulbs, or smart light bulbs that can be any colour, for a lamp you already have, or red wall plugs.

If you are looking for light that supports good sleep we urge you – think red!

The Baby Sleep School App was created after years of runaway success with the Baby Sleep School online sleep programs. The idea was born when founders Marissa Wallis and Amelia Lamont were struggling to get their own babies to sleep; they went the extra mile, both became qualified sleep consultants and started Baby Sleep School.

Together, Marissa and Amelia have helped thousands of families worldwide achieve sleep success with their popular online downloadable sleep programs.

But – they wanted to do more to help and support mums! In addition to offering many products and services to help teach babies great sleep habits, they have created an holistic approach to sleep training, with a focus on supporting mums to assist with their baby’s sleep. The Sleepy App is the key; one platform with all the information you need to achieve sleep success – easy, quick and ready to help at all times

Once you purchase a Baby Sleep School program (Newborn, 3-12 months, 12-24 months and Toddler) from our website, you will be sent a link to download the Sleepy App for free. You can then access your sleep program guide on the App, making finding that one priceless nugget of information that will help, that much easier.

Sleepy App – your sleep saviour

Need a sleep saviour in your pocket?

Your wish is our command! Free with a purchase of one of our Sleep Programs, our Sleepy App has all the help, support and resources you need to master baby sleep in one place. Info from our sleep programs? Tick! Community section and forum with chat room, to learn from other mamas in our community? Tick! And because we are passionate about women’s health – a wellness hub for YOU, because a well mama is a happy mama! Includes yoga videos, fitness info and breathing and mediation exercises… tick, tick, tick! You can also get access to bonus content for all age groups, including info on regressions, first aid, sleep safety, settling techniques and more. TICK! Some of these are paid features; you can find out more about that below.

Download the Sleepy App today, available on: 

• IOS
• Google Play

Why should I pay for the additional monthly subscription fee? What extra help am I getting?

The Sleepy App is designed to be a simple way to access all your baby sleep requirements from one platform. The subscription fee is based on providing you with additional functions to support you through sleep training your baby, including the community forum, chat, additional resources and wellness hub.

The difference between a sleep program and the Sleepy App is that the app allows parents to access the program through the app and pay for additional features and services if you require more support. You can also purchase programs through at the app, as your baby grows and develops.

The additional features included in a subscription include:

 Community forum

The Community Forum is a virtual chat room; it is similar to our wonderful Facebook community with more one-on-one support. Certified sleep consultants will be available during peak times to answer your questions and assist you throughout the day when things don’t quite go to plan! Don’t underestimate the power of community!

Wellness hub

The Wellness hub was created to provide Mums with the tools to take some time out for themselves. We are HUGE believers in the benefits of a healthy body and healthy mind, especially for mums. The benefits of exercise include better sleep, improved memory and higher energy levels; it also improves mental health and helps to protect women from conditions like anxiety and depression. Currently in Australia, as many as 1 in 3 women will experience anxiety in their lifetime, and being active can serve as a powerful tool for preventing and managing symptoms associated with this condition.

Remember – it is NOT selfish to prioritise your health!

When it comes to health and fitness advice, it’s important to get the right advice from a qualified professional – that’s why we are working with Renee McGeoch, a qualified post-partum fitness instructor and absolute gem, to deliver safe and effective exercises. Our movement sessions will be mainly interval training and include activation and mobility exercises.

 Our yoga and meditation classes are beautiful and relaxing, allowing deep stretching and breathing for a slower pace. Our yoga instructor, the gorgeous Beth has created some incredible videos for you to access 24/7 and work at your own pace in the comfort of your own home.

If you’re not sure if you are ready for these kinds of activities, please consult a health professional before starting.

Additional resources

These are like the bonus track on your favourite album…. The Additional resources section was created because after years of helping families, we realised there some questions we heard over and over. We kept track of them over the years and now we have answered all your pressing questions in the Additional resources section of the Sleepy App. Broken down into topics, these FAQ are a game-changer – you get access to some in-depth, step-by step knowledge from our experts.

The topics included in are:

• Pre-natal
• Newborn 
• 3 - 12 months
• 12 - 24 months
• 2 - 4 years
• Sleep safety
• Settling techniques
• Sleep regressions
• Developmental leaps
• Your mental health
• Sickness and illness
• First aid
• Sleep safety 101
• The science of sleep
• About us

In an Australian first, young parents will have access to highly sought after sleep support for their babies, as part of a new partnership between the Brave Foundation and Baby Sleep School.

Sleep deprivation is a common complaint of new parents, but for those who are still navigating their teenage years, the transition to parenthood can be infinitely more challenging.

Baby Sleep School has joined forces with the Brave Foundation to provide free and on-going sleep help to families in need of support. Those involved in the new initiative will receive a personalised sleep plan, detailed advice around their babies sleeping needs at every age, and access to Baby Sleep School’s team of qualified baby sleep consultants.

“In the past 10 years almost 80,000 new mothers were aged under 20 at the time of the birth of their children, and like all new parents they need a village of support around them as they embark on their parenting journey,” said Brave Foundation CEO Jill Roche.

“We are so pleased to create this partnership with Baby Sleep School to ensure young parents are also provided with valuable guidance around their child’s sleep. Now participants in Brave’s program will be able to access additional help to ensure that they, and their children, are getting the rest they need in a safe and supported way.”

The Brave Foundation is a not- for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting these mothers and fathers from pregnancy and through the early years of parenting, and now sleep support will be added to the list of resources, education and referrals that Brave provides.

Recent statistics show more than 5-thousand babies are born in Australia each year to mothers under the age of 20.

”The data is clear - young mothers are one of Australia’s most disadvantaged groups,” said Marissa Wallis, founder and CEO of Baby Sleep School.

“Parenthood is demanding,and young parents face many of the same challenges as other parents, as well as other adversities''. We want to help these young parents by increasing their parenting skills and giving them confidence”.

The role of the qualified Baby Sleep Consultants at Baby Sleep School will be understanding the individual Parents' needs arising from their personal history and current life situation. As well as the shared and individual needs of young parents to then develop services that respond to these needs.

“We want to ensure these mothers and fathers are far better supported, and one of the ways we can do that is by providing education and information around a baby’s sleeping and feeding needs,” she said.

“There is significant research to show sleep deprivation increases the likelihood of things like brain fog, mood swings, and post-natal anxiety and depression, so supporting these young parents to improve their baby’s sleep - and in turn their own - is imperative.

To learn more about the Brave Foundation, visit bravefoundation.org.au

Baby Sleep School can be found at sleepschool.co

Mothers have been teaching their babies to sleep since the dawn of time. From rocking them to replicate the movement they would have felt in the womb, to gently resettling them when they need more than a catnap, and everything in between – mothers know sleep is important to a baby’s growth and development.

In the traditional village setting of the past, women would share hard-won experience knowledge with one another in the course of their days– ‘This worked for my baby’, or ‘Have you tried making a ‘shusssh’ sound?’ – and each family would figure out what worked for them.

What we do at Baby Sleep School is kind of like a modern version of that – we share what we have learned, through education, our tribe, our experiences in helping families find healthy sleep habits and our personal experience with our own families. We want to help families who are crying out for better sleep – it’s as simple as that.

Sleep training always equals ‘cry it out’, doesn’t it?

No! Not at all. This is such a common misconception – there are so many ways to sleep train, and while some people and organisations recommend ‘cry it out’, which is based upon allowing a baby to cry for extended periods of time without providing hands on reassurance, we do not.

All sleep training/teaching systems are not the same. We offer practical and gentle sleep advice and take care to help parents understand their babies better, and about how to approach the different types of cries your baby may do in bed. Never ever will you hear us recommending you leave your baby to cry themselves to sleep.

Why is sleep so important?

Sleep isn’t a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a health and wellness must. And that goes for everyone – for babies, for mothers, for children – for adults! But we want to explore why sleep is something we can’t take for granted…

• for babies: so much of a baby’s growth and development happens when they sleep – most of their brain development happens during sleep, synapses are formed, memories stored – they’re busy when they’re sleeping! A rested baby also tends to eat better, which is key for development, as well as their general mood.
  
• for mothers: the wellbeing of mothers is vital to the wellbeing of their babies. There are so many mums out there that are exhausted, overextended and pouring from an empty cup. When baby sleeps well, everyone sleeps well, resulting in happier, more resilient parents! Poor sleep can affect every part of an adult’s life, and make life so much harder than it needs to be. We genuinely believe, and have seen, that good sleep makes for much happier families and especially mums – as well as beautiful, happy, bouncing babies.

Should everyone sleep train?

Goodness no! Some people will want to, like we did when we needed help teaching our first babies to sleep, and some people won’t – and that’s totally fine! Sleep training, like everything parenting, is not a ‘one size fits all’ situation. Our guidelines are just that – guidelines! We aim to provide parents with gentle tools, tips and most importantly, a range of different options, to help their baby achieve the sleep they need for healthy development and growth.

We strongly recommend people do what works for them – their baby, their family, their own comfort zone and intuition.

Is it ok to sleep train?

Yes! We think so – we have dedicated years and years to sleep training our children and helping thousands of families achieve better sleep in a gentle, flexible way.

It is fine to sleep train your baby as long as you are following safe sleep rules and being safe generally. It is fine not to sleep train your baby. What is not fine is make others feel bad about how they choose to deal with sleep, so be kind to all mums, no matter their approach – it’s a tough job and everyone is doing their best.

‘Put on your own mask first, before helping others’ – those word will be familiar to anyone who has ever boarded a plane (remember that?! The good old days hey). But when was the last time you stopped to make sure you were fitting your own mask, before tending to your little ones?

The advice is nothing new, but when push comes to shove – it can be seriously hard to prioritise your needs over those of your little ones even sometimes.

Parenting, and the juggles that come with it, can be intense – whether you’re a working mama, running a home, studying between feeds, running a farm, balancing blended families. Having these little people rely on us is a joy and a privilege but it can also be seriously challenging, and demanding in ways we never even dreamed of! (Who knew you can cut toast into the ‘wrong’ kind of triangles? Or that it is possible to cry and scream simultaneously?)

You can’t pour from an empty cup, and it is so important that as mamas we find some time to fill up our own stores of energy and joy. Especially in these challenging times – lockdowns, alarming world news – your wellbeing truly does matter. We talk about this more in the Mindful Parenting sections of our Sleep Guides – we can’t help regulate a baby (and their sleep) if we are not emotionally regulated ourselves!

So, we’re not saying that you need to book in a hot stone massage or rosé-fuelled long lunch (although now you mention it…) – it can be as simple as writing a quick hit list of small, achievable things that you know fill YOUR cup.

An hour curled up in bed streaming your fave show, a coffee and walk with a girlfriend, reading your book instead of tidying when the baby naps. Blasting 90s pop and shaking off some of the stress, calling an old friend, meditating. It doesn’t matter so much what it is, but that it is for you, and brings you some joy.

In turn, you’ll have some more patience, more energy, more joy – and that benefits the whole family, not just you.

Parents of newborns – we know finding time for you can be challenging especially in the early months. Can you call on some people in your family, community or network to help? Often with newborns, people are afraid of stepping on toes and love a clear request – ‘Can you stay with the baby while they nap while I walk with a friend?’. When we’re not used to asking for that time for ourselves, it can be tricky but try it out – we promise it gets easier with practice!

It’s not unusual to find parenting frustrating and really tricky at times – it’s totally normal, in fact! We really encourage you to reach out for support from your communities or on our forum. You’re never alone and sometimes sharing experiences can take a mental load off your mind (shout out to all the mamas who share their struggles openly!).

Of course, if you experience a constant low mood or anxiety, or some more extreme symptoms, we encourage you to seek professional support: speaking to your GP or Maternal Child Health Nurse can be a good place to start, and PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) have great resources as well as a free National helpline (1300 726 306). One in seven women in Australia experience postnatal depression – if this is you, you are not alone and help is available.

We see you mamas, and you’re doing a damn fine job. You deserve to take time to fill your cup!

Remember the days when a sleep in meant waking up past 9am? And now there are days when you see 7.03am and think ‘Thank heavens for my sleep in…’

While the reality is you probably won’t return to those regular long, lazy mornings languishing in bed with a coffee or a book anytime soon, there are many practical ways to help if your little one is a super early riser.

Now, first things first. When we talk about babies and toddlers, an ‘early riser’ is not a baby who is up at 6.30am after a 12-hour sleep. That’s a definite win in baby-and-toddler-parent land. We’re talking about when your bundle of joy is beating the roosters to greet the day.

Of course, your baby or toddler will naturally go through disruptions and unsettled periods – teething, changes to routine, developmental leaps and stages. A few early mornings are not cause for concern. If your little ones’ early rising (before 6am) has carried on consistently for over a week, and you want to try and shuffle the wake time forward, here are some things to look at and address:

Sound: Are there noisy birds right outside your baby’s window? Neighbours revving their engine when leaving at the crack of dawn? An early alarm clock going off for another member of the family? There’s nothing like an external noise waking your peacefully sleeping baby, and while some things are truly out of your control, you can always try turning up the white noise machine to drown out some of the unavoidable noises. If you don’t have one already, we have a great little portable sound machine.

Temperature: Often the temperature can drop in the early morning – while we can easily pull up another blanket ourselves, babies don’t have this luxury. Being too hot can also be an issue. Check that the room is around 19-22 degrees, and that the sleeping bag TOG is appropriate for the climate and heating situation in your home. Plenty of brands that make sleeping bags have great resources about the ideal temperature and layers needed under their sleeping bags.

Light: Let there be… dark! A dark room increases production of melatonin, the sleepy hormone. Light sneaking in can affect quality of sleep, and your little ones’ ability to resettle themselves. As they get older, they may become distracted if they can see their toys, books, or shadows playing on the wall (it’s mind blowing how many creatures a two-year-old can see in the shadows…).

Aim for a totally dark room, if this is not possible with your existing blinds/curtains you can try blackout blinds, like these.

Hunger: Now unless you’re into intermittent fasting, most adults would not go for 12 or 13 hours between meals (or some pre bed toast or choccie biscuits). This is often the gap babies will go between feeds/meals so it is not surprising that many wake early due to hunger. Take a look to ensure they’re getting sufficient sustenance during the day – for smaller babes, check the milk/formula feeds recommended for their age and weight, and once solids are in the mix, check their protein and carbohydrate needs are met. Load then up with sufficient sustenance in the day to increase your chances of a ‘sleep in’.

It’s worth saying that some children simply are early risers – like some adults continue to be. Some babies or toddlers can happily start their day at 5.30am. Also, if your little one’s morning wake up time suits your family, and they’re getting enough sleep for their age, then that’s fine! Babies are not robots and nor are families. If you’re getting enough sleep, and everyone is healthy and content, there is no reason to change things.

There are a number of other factors to consider if the above don’t seem to make a difference. There’s plenty more information in our Sleep Guides, with complete checklists to cross off.

And if not, there’s a coffee with your name on it mama, you’re doing an excellent job.

Have you ever walked from the nice calm world into a shop where the music is REALLY, REALLY LOUD? It’s so jarring!

 Well that, in reverse, is what happens to our babies. They’re in the womb, warm, snug and safe for 9 months. As their hearing develops, the sound of our bodies is constant for them – like a song that never ends, but a good one. Our heartbeat. Our blood. Our voice (and yes, even our car singing), their dad’s voice; they’re there for it all and it reassures them.

And when they finally land in your arms – it’s so QUIET without all that noise! This is why we swear by white noise for all baby sleeps. it is such a positive sleep association; it both soothes your baby and also lets them know now is a good time for sleep.

 Enter the Sleepy Portable Sound Machine; a handy, smart machine that offers 6 different soothing sounds for your baby:

♪          Lullaby

☔︎        Rain

♩          Shooshing sound

♥︎        Fetal heartbeat

༄               White noise

⚓︎        Ocean Waves

The machine is easily portable (has a clip for easy hanging), automatically enters sleep mode after 30 mins (saving battery), USB chargeable… the list goes on! But for us, the star of the show is that it is voice activated; when your baby makes noise, the sound kicks in! This feature could save you a whole resettle, and we know the less interrupted the sleep, the better.

Being compact and portable, it can go wherever you are. Hang it from the pram, pop it near baby in the car – use it as a message that even though they’re not in their nice comfy bed and dark room, that sleep is the next step for them.

So simple a dad could use it (sorry dads, we really do love you!), a colour scheme that will work with anything AND a sleep saviour? Run, don’t walk! You can find them here.

Red light and sleep – a match made in heaven

If you follow us on socials, you’ll know that we are big believers in dark rooms for baby sleep – and for babies up to 18 months that is certainly the case – but night lights do have a time and a place.

The time – like we said, after 18 months of age. For some children, this can be when the dark is full of scary unknowns, and when a nightlight can provide comfort for any of those night time wake ups – and hopefully stop them from getting out of bed!

So what sort of light? You’ve probably heard about the pitfalls of blue light (we admit – we sometimes use our phones before sleep but we also agree with the science behind this being a bad idea) – but what about red light?

Blue, white, or green light sources – however dim – can be detrimental to sleep as they emit blue light waves. Blue light is a stimulant that actually boosts attention and reaction times, which interrupt the production of melatonin (the sleepy hormone).

Here’s the secret that you need to know – red light is a higher wavelength and boosts melatonin production. Red light can help support good sleep! And it gives out enough light to reassure them they are home in bed and safe, without drawing them into being fully awake.

There are lots of ways to bring red light into your child’s sleep; our Sleepy Light is can provide one of four gentle warm/red-based light tones, sound machine, diffuser and humidifier all in one. You can also buy red light bulbs, or smart light bulbs that can be any colour, for a lamp you already have, or red wall plugs.

If you are looking for light that supports good sleep we urge you – think red!

The Baby Sleep School App was created after years of runaway success with the Baby Sleep School online sleep programs. The idea was born when founders Marissa Wallis and Amelia Lamont were struggling to get their own babies to sleep; they went the extra mile, both became qualified sleep consultants and started Baby Sleep School.

Together, Marissa and Amelia have helped thousands of families worldwide achieve sleep success with their popular online downloadable sleep programs.

But – they wanted to do more to help and support mums! In addition to offering many products and services to help teach babies great sleep habits, they have created an holistic approach to sleep training, with a focus on supporting mums to assist with their baby’s sleep. The Sleepy App is the key; one platform with all the information you need to achieve sleep success – easy, quick and ready to help at all times

Once you purchase a Baby Sleep School program (Newborn, 3-12 months, 12-24 months and Toddler) from our website, you will be sent a link to download the Sleepy App for free. You can then access your sleep program guide on the App, making finding that one priceless nugget of information that will help, that much easier.

Sleepy App – your sleep saviour

Need a sleep saviour in your pocket?

Your wish is our command! Free with a purchase of one of our Sleep Programs, our Sleepy App has all the help, support and resources you need to master baby sleep in one place. Info from our sleep programs? Tick! Community section and forum with chat room, to learn from other mamas in our community? Tick! And because we are passionate about women’s health – a wellness hub for YOU, because a well mama is a happy mama! Includes yoga videos, fitness info and breathing and mediation exercises… tick, tick, tick! You can also get access to bonus content for all age groups, including info on regressions, first aid, sleep safety, settling techniques and more. TICK! Some of these are paid features; you can find out more about that below.

Download the Sleepy App today, available on: 

• IOS
• Google Play

Why should I pay for the additional monthly subscription fee? What extra help am I getting?

The Sleepy App is designed to be a simple way to access all your baby sleep requirements from one platform. The subscription fee is based on providing you with additional functions to support you through sleep training your baby, including the community forum, chat, additional resources and wellness hub.

The difference between a sleep program and the Sleepy App is that the app allows parents to access the program through the app and pay for additional features and services if you require more support. You can also purchase programs through at the app, as your baby grows and develops.

The additional features included in a subscription include:

 Community forum

The Community Forum is a virtual chat room; it is similar to our wonderful Facebook community with more one-on-one support. Certified sleep consultants will be available during peak times to answer your questions and assist you throughout the day when things don’t quite go to plan! Don’t underestimate the power of community!

Wellness hub

The Wellness hub was created to provide Mums with the tools to take some time out for themselves. We are HUGE believers in the benefits of a healthy body and healthy mind, especially for mums. The benefits of exercise include better sleep, improved memory and higher energy levels; it also improves mental health and helps to protect women from conditions like anxiety and depression. Currently in Australia, as many as 1 in 3 women will experience anxiety in their lifetime, and being active can serve as a powerful tool for preventing and managing symptoms associated with this condition.

Remember – it is NOT selfish to prioritise your health!

When it comes to health and fitness advice, it’s important to get the right advice from a qualified professional – that’s why we are working with Renee McGeoch, a qualified post-partum fitness instructor and absolute gem, to deliver safe and effective exercises. Our movement sessions will be mainly interval training and include activation and mobility exercises.

 Our yoga and meditation classes are beautiful and relaxing, allowing deep stretching and breathing for a slower pace. Our yoga instructor, the gorgeous Beth has created some incredible videos for you to access 24/7 and work at your own pace in the comfort of your own home.

If you’re not sure if you are ready for these kinds of activities, please consult a health professional before starting.

Additional resources

These are like the bonus track on your favourite album…. The Additional resources section was created because after years of helping families, we realised there some questions we heard over and over. We kept track of them over the years and now we have answered all your pressing questions in the Additional resources section of the Sleepy App. Broken down into topics, these FAQ are a game-changer – you get access to some in-depth, step-by step knowledge from our experts.

The topics included in are:

• Pre-natal
• Newborn 
• 3 - 12 months
• 12 - 24 months
• 2 - 4 years
• Sleep safety
• Settling techniques
• Sleep regressions
• Developmental leaps
• Your mental health
• Sickness and illness
• First aid
• Sleep safety 101
• The science of sleep
• About us

Being a stay at home mums is by far the hardest job in the world. It’s selfless, tiring, worthwhile & at times isolating .. make sure you spend as much time outside of your house enjoying the sunshine and fresh air and organise catch ups with friends as regularly as possible. Your sanity needs it & it is good for bub too .. If you are worried about your social life interfering with your baby’s routine then don’t.. Get out between naps & no big deal if your social life takes over nap time here or there .. our every second day rule will have you feeling much more relaxed about sleep & will see you enjoying more of motherhood then ever before 🌙 happy Monday Mumma’s x

In an Australian first, young parents will have access to highly sought after sleep support for their babies, as part of a new partnership between the Brave Foundation and Baby Sleep School.

Sleep deprivation is a common complaint of new parents, but for those who are still navigating their teenage years, the transition to parenthood can be infinitely more challenging.

Baby Sleep School has joined forces with the Brave Foundation to provide free and on-going sleep help to families in need of support. Those involved in the new initiative will receive a personalised sleep plan, detailed advice around their babies sleeping needs at every age, and access to Baby Sleep School’s team of qualified baby sleep consultants.

“In the past 10 years almost 80,000 new mothers were aged under 20 at the time of the birth of their children, and like all new parents they need a village of support around them as they embark on their parenting journey,” said Brave Foundation CEO Jill Roche.

“We are so pleased to create this partnership with Baby Sleep School to ensure young parents are also provided with valuable guidance around their child’s sleep. Now participants in Brave’s program will be able to access additional help to ensure that they, and their children, are getting the rest they need in a safe and supported way.”

The Brave Foundation is a not- for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting these mothers and fathers from pregnancy and through the early years of parenting, and now sleep support will be added to the list of resources, education and referrals that Brave provides.

Recent statistics show more than 5-thousand babies are born in Australia each year to mothers under the age of 20.

”The data is clear - young mothers are one of Australia’s most disadvantaged groups,” said Marissa Wallis, founder and CEO of Baby Sleep School.

“Parenthood is demanding,and young parents face many of the same challenges as other parents, as well as other adversities''. We want to help these young parents by increasing their parenting skills and giving them confidence”.

The role of the qualified Baby Sleep Consultants at Baby Sleep School will be understanding the individual Parents' needs arising from their personal history and current life situation. As well as the shared and individual needs of young parents to then develop services that respond to these needs.

“We want to ensure these mothers and fathers are far better supported, and one of the ways we can do that is by providing education and information around a baby’s sleeping and feeding needs,” she said.

“There is significant research to show sleep deprivation increases the likelihood of things like brain fog, mood swings, and post-natal anxiety and depression, so supporting these young parents to improve their baby’s sleep - and in turn their own - is imperative.

To learn more about the Brave Foundation, visit bravefoundation.org.au

Baby Sleep School can be found at sleepschool.co

Mothers have been teaching their babies to sleep since the dawn of time. From rocking them to replicate the movement they would have felt in the womb, to gently resettling them when they need more than a catnap, and everything in between – mothers know sleep is important to a baby’s growth and development.

In the traditional village setting of the past, women would share hard-won experience knowledge with one another in the course of their days– ‘This worked for my baby’, or ‘Have you tried making a ‘shusssh’ sound?’ – and each family would figure out what worked for them.

What we do at Baby Sleep School is kind of like a modern version of that – we share what we have learned, through education, our tribe, our experiences in helping families find healthy sleep habits and our personal experience with our own families. We want to help families who are crying out for better sleep – it’s as simple as that.

Sleep training always equals ‘cry it out’, doesn’t it?

No! Not at all. This is such a common misconception – there are so many ways to sleep train, and while some people and organisations recommend ‘cry it out’, which is based upon allowing a baby to cry for extended periods of time without providing hands on reassurance, we do not.

All sleep training/teaching systems are not the same. We offer practical and gentle sleep advice and take care to help parents understand their babies better, and about how to approach the different types of cries your baby may do in bed. Never ever will you hear us recommending you leave your baby to cry themselves to sleep.

Why is sleep so important?

Sleep isn’t a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a health and wellness must. And that goes for everyone – for babies, for mothers, for children – for adults! But we want to explore why sleep is something we can’t take for granted…

• for babies: so much of a baby’s growth and development happens when they sleep – most of their brain development happens during sleep, synapses are formed, memories stored – they’re busy when they’re sleeping! A rested baby also tends to eat better, which is key for development, as well as their general mood.
  
• for mothers: the wellbeing of mothers is vital to the wellbeing of their babies. There are so many mums out there that are exhausted, overextended and pouring from an empty cup. When baby sleeps well, everyone sleeps well, resulting in happier, more resilient parents! Poor sleep can affect every part of an adult’s life, and make life so much harder than it needs to be. We genuinely believe, and have seen, that good sleep makes for much happier families and especially mums – as well as beautiful, happy, bouncing babies.

Should everyone sleep train?

Goodness no! Some people will want to, like we did when we needed help teaching our first babies to sleep, and some people won’t – and that’s totally fine! Sleep training, like everything parenting, is not a ‘one size fits all’ situation. Our guidelines are just that – guidelines! We aim to provide parents with gentle tools, tips and most importantly, a range of different options, to help their baby achieve the sleep they need for healthy development and growth.

We strongly recommend people do what works for them – their baby, their family, their own comfort zone and intuition.

Is it ok to sleep train?

Yes! We think so – we have dedicated years and years to sleep training our children and helping thousands of families achieve better sleep in a gentle, flexible way.

It is fine to sleep train your baby as long as you are following safe sleep rules and being safe generally. It is fine not to sleep train your baby. What is not fine is make others feel bad about how they choose to deal with sleep, so be kind to all mums, no matter their approach – it’s a tough job and everyone is doing their best.

‘Put on your own mask first, before helping others’ – those word will be familiar to anyone who has ever boarded a plane (remember that?! The good old days hey). But when was the last time you stopped to make sure you were fitting your own mask, before tending to your little ones?

The advice is nothing new, but when push comes to shove – it can be seriously hard to prioritise your needs over those of your little ones even sometimes.

Parenting, and the juggles that come with it, can be intense – whether you’re a working mama, running a home, studying between feeds, running a farm, balancing blended families. Having these little people rely on us is a joy and a privilege but it can also be seriously challenging, and demanding in ways we never even dreamed of! (Who knew you can cut toast into the ‘wrong’ kind of triangles? Or that it is possible to cry and scream simultaneously?)

You can’t pour from an empty cup, and it is so important that as mamas we find some time to fill up our own stores of energy and joy. Especially in these challenging times – lockdowns, alarming world news – your wellbeing truly does matter. We talk about this more in the Mindful Parenting sections of our Sleep Guides – we can’t help regulate a baby (and their sleep) if we are not emotionally regulated ourselves!

So, we’re not saying that you need to book in a hot stone massage or rosé-fuelled long lunch (although now you mention it…) – it can be as simple as writing a quick hit list of small, achievable things that you know fill YOUR cup.

An hour curled up in bed streaming your fave show, a coffee and walk with a girlfriend, reading your book instead of tidying when the baby naps. Blasting 90s pop and shaking off some of the stress, calling an old friend, meditating. It doesn’t matter so much what it is, but that it is for you, and brings you some joy.

In turn, you’ll have some more patience, more energy, more joy – and that benefits the whole family, not just you.

Parents of newborns – we know finding time for you can be challenging especially in the early months. Can you call on some people in your family, community or network to help? Often with newborns, people are afraid of stepping on toes and love a clear request – ‘Can you stay with the baby while they nap while I walk with a friend?’. When we’re not used to asking for that time for ourselves, it can be tricky but try it out – we promise it gets easier with practice!

It’s not unusual to find parenting frustrating and really tricky at times – it’s totally normal, in fact! We really encourage you to reach out for support from your communities or on our forum. You’re never alone and sometimes sharing experiences can take a mental load off your mind (shout out to all the mamas who share their struggles openly!).

Of course, if you experience a constant low mood or anxiety, or some more extreme symptoms, we encourage you to seek professional support: speaking to your GP or Maternal Child Health Nurse can be a good place to start, and PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) have great resources as well as a free National helpline (1300 726 306). One in seven women in Australia experience postnatal depression – if this is you, you are not alone and help is available.

We see you mamas, and you’re doing a damn fine job. You deserve to take time to fill your cup!

Remember the days when a sleep in meant waking up past 9am? And now there are days when you see 7.03am and think ‘Thank heavens for my sleep in…’

While the reality is you probably won’t return to those regular long, lazy mornings languishing in bed with a coffee or a book anytime soon, there are many practical ways to help if your little one is a super early riser.

Now, first things first. When we talk about babies and toddlers, an ‘early riser’ is not a baby who is up at 6.30am after a 12-hour sleep. That’s a definite win in baby-and-toddler-parent land. We’re talking about when your bundle of joy is beating the roosters to greet the day.

Of course, your baby or toddler will naturally go through disruptions and unsettled periods – teething, changes to routine, developmental leaps and stages. A few early mornings are not cause for concern. If your little ones’ early rising (before 6am) has carried on consistently for over a week, and you want to try and shuffle the wake time forward, here are some things to look at and address:

Sound: Are there noisy birds right outside your baby’s window? Neighbours revving their engine when leaving at the crack of dawn? An early alarm clock going off for another member of the family? There’s nothing like an external noise waking your peacefully sleeping baby, and while some things are truly out of your control, you can always try turning up the white noise machine to drown out some of the unavoidable noises. If you don’t have one already, we have a great little portable sound machine.

Temperature: Often the temperature can drop in the early morning – while we can easily pull up another blanket ourselves, babies don’t have this luxury. Being too hot can also be an issue. Check that the room is around 19-22 degrees, and that the sleeping bag TOG is appropriate for the climate and heating situation in your home. Plenty of brands that make sleeping bags have great resources about the ideal temperature and layers needed under their sleeping bags.

Light: Let there be… dark! A dark room increases production of melatonin, the sleepy hormone. Light sneaking in can affect quality of sleep, and your little ones’ ability to resettle themselves. As they get older, they may become distracted if they can see their toys, books, or shadows playing on the wall (it’s mind blowing how many creatures a two-year-old can see in the shadows…).

Aim for a totally dark room, if this is not possible with your existing blinds/curtains you can try blackout blinds, like these.

Hunger: Now unless you’re into intermittent fasting, most adults would not go for 12 or 13 hours between meals (or some pre bed toast or choccie biscuits). This is often the gap babies will go between feeds/meals so it is not surprising that many wake early due to hunger. Take a look to ensure they’re getting sufficient sustenance during the day – for smaller babes, check the milk/formula feeds recommended for their age and weight, and once solids are in the mix, check their protein and carbohydrate needs are met. Load then up with sufficient sustenance in the day to increase your chances of a ‘sleep in’.

It’s worth saying that some children simply are early risers – like some adults continue to be. Some babies or toddlers can happily start their day at 5.30am. Also, if your little one’s morning wake up time suits your family, and they’re getting enough sleep for their age, then that’s fine! Babies are not robots and nor are families. If you’re getting enough sleep, and everyone is healthy and content, there is no reason to change things.

There are a number of other factors to consider if the above don’t seem to make a difference. There’s plenty more information in our Sleep Guides, with complete checklists to cross off.

And if not, there’s a coffee with your name on it mama, you’re doing an excellent job.

The Sleepy Checklist

When you’re sleep deprived, your brain can’t quite manage the same tasks it nails when you’re well rested, and unfortunately, problem solving is one of the things it will struggle with most!

So, if your child’s sleep is a big problem, but your brain is struggling to find an answer; what do you do?!

Well, if you’re anything like we were before we sleep trained, a big cry and a cuppa is what you do! Next up, we’d recommend buying the relevant Sleepy Guidelines for your child through our Sleepy App – the golden advice in these has worked wonders for so many families.

But, for something you can do right now, we’ve come up with a checklist of questions that may help you make a start on saving your family’s sleep. Run your eye over down these lists and see if you can figure out a change that might work for your babe and your family…

 Baby’s sleep environment

• Is it warm enough/cool enough?
• Is it as dark as it can possibly be?
• Do you have white noise or ambient sound?
• Do they have an age-appropriate comforter?
• Is it calm (boring) enough? An exciting room can keep baby awake just from looking around.
• Does the baby feel happy or sad when they enter their room? If sleep is stressful, you may need to create some positive associations with the room.

Before bed/nap time

• Is your baby hungry or thirsty? These can really mess with sleep!
• Do you have a pre-bed routine? A bit of quiet time, then book, a cuddle, a song?
• Is your baby exhibiting tired signs? (And do you know what their tired signs are? This is key!)
• Does your baby need to go down earlier/later?
• Have you talked up how great their room/bed/sleep is during the day?
• Do they need a fresh nappy before bed so wetting through doesn’t wake them?

During sleep time

• Does your baby wake after a certain amount of time?
• What’s waking your baby? If they’re hungry, tank them up. Cold – more layers. Hot – less layers!
• Do you have a plan for how you’ll resettle them back to sleep? Make sure everyone in the family is on board!
• If they’re upset – can you settle them while they stay in their cot?

After their nap/in the morning

• If they slept well, did you give them lots of praise?
• Do they need a little cuddle before re-entering the world?

Mum and dad

• Have you and your partner talked about how you’ll approach sleep?
• If mum is breastfeeding and therefore associated with food, can the other parent deal with overnight wakeups?
• Are you and your partner on the same page with what you’ll do about bedtime and wakeups?
• Have you done everything you can think of? Do you need some extra help?

This is not everything, but it’s hopefully enough to give you that ‘oh, I need to try such-and-such’ moment. And if you need a little extra assistance, sing out! We’re here to help.      

Have you ever walked from the nice calm world into a shop where the music is REALLY, REALLY LOUD? It’s so jarring!

 Well that, in reverse, is what happens to our babies. They’re in the womb, warm, snug and safe for 9 months. As their hearing develops, the sound of our bodies is constant for them – like a song that never ends, but a good one. Our heartbeat. Our blood. Our voice (and yes, even our car singing), their dad’s voice; they’re there for it all and it reassures them.

And when they finally land in your arms – it’s so QUIET without all that noise! This is why we swear by white noise for all baby sleeps. it is such a positive sleep association; it both soothes your baby and also lets them know now is a good time for sleep.

 Enter the Sleepy Portable Sound Machine; a handy, smart machine that offers 6 different soothing sounds for your baby:

♪          Lullaby

☔︎        Rain

♩          Shooshing sound

♥︎        Fetal heartbeat

༄               White noise

⚓︎        Ocean Waves

The machine is easily portable (has a clip for easy hanging), automatically enters sleep mode after 30 mins (saving battery), USB chargeable… the list goes on! But for us, the star of the show is that it is voice activated; when your baby makes noise, the sound kicks in! This feature could save you a whole resettle, and we know the less interrupted the sleep, the better.

Being compact and portable, it can go wherever you are. Hang it from the pram, pop it near baby in the car – use it as a message that even though they’re not in their nice comfy bed and dark room, that sleep is the next step for them.

So simple a dad could use it (sorry dads, we really do love you!), a colour scheme that will work with anything AND a sleep saviour? Run, don’t walk! You can find them here.

Red light and sleep – a match made in heaven

If you follow us on socials, you’ll know that we are big believers in dark rooms for baby sleep – and for babies up to 18 months that is certainly the case – but night lights do have a time and a place.

The time – like we said, after 18 months of age. For some children, this can be when the dark is full of scary unknowns, and when a nightlight can provide comfort for any of those night time wake ups – and hopefully stop them from getting out of bed!

So what sort of light? You’ve probably heard about the pitfalls of blue light (we admit – we sometimes use our phones before sleep but we also agree with the science behind this being a bad idea) – but what about red light?

Blue, white, or green light sources – however dim – can be detrimental to sleep as they emit blue light waves. Blue light is a stimulant that actually boosts attention and reaction times, which interrupt the production of melatonin (the sleepy hormone).

Here’s the secret that you need to know – red light is a higher wavelength and boosts melatonin production. Red light can help support good sleep! And it gives out enough light to reassure them they are home in bed and safe, without drawing them into being fully awake.

There are lots of ways to bring red light into your child’s sleep; our Sleepy Light is can provide one of four gentle warm/red-based light tones, sound machine, diffuser and humidifier all in one. You can also buy red light bulbs, or smart light bulbs that can be any colour, for a lamp you already have, or red wall plugs.

If you are looking for light that supports good sleep we urge you – think red!

The Baby Sleep School App was created after years of runaway success with the Baby Sleep School online sleep programs. The idea was born when founders Marissa Wallis and Amelia Lamont were struggling to get their own babies to sleep; they went the extra mile, both became qualified sleep consultants and started Baby Sleep School.

Together, Marissa and Amelia have helped thousands of families worldwide achieve sleep success with their popular online downloadable sleep programs.

But – they wanted to do more to help and support mums! In addition to offering many products and services to help teach babies great sleep habits, they have created an holistic approach to sleep training, with a focus on supporting mums to assist with their baby’s sleep. The Sleepy App is the key; one platform with all the information you need to achieve sleep success – easy, quick and ready to help at all times

Once you purchase a Baby Sleep School program (Newborn, 3-12 months, 12-24 months and Toddler) from our website, you will be sent a link to download the Sleepy App for free. You can then access your sleep program guide on the App, making finding that one priceless nugget of information that will help, that much easier.

Sleepy App – your sleep saviour

Need a sleep saviour in your pocket?

Your wish is our command! Free with a purchase of one of our Sleep Programs, our Sleepy App has all the help, support and resources you need to master baby sleep in one place. Info from our sleep programs? Tick! Community section and forum with chat room, to learn from other mamas in our community? Tick! And because we are passionate about women’s health – a wellness hub for YOU, because a well mama is a happy mama! Includes yoga videos, fitness info and breathing and mediation exercises… tick, tick, tick! You can also get access to bonus content for all age groups, including info on regressions, first aid, sleep safety, settling techniques and more. TICK! Some of these are paid features; you can find out more about that below.

Download the Sleepy App today, available on: 

• IOS
• Google Play

Why should I pay for the additional monthly subscription fee? What extra help am I getting?

The Sleepy App is designed to be a simple way to access all your baby sleep requirements from one platform. The subscription fee is based on providing you with additional functions to support you through sleep training your baby, including the community forum, chat, additional resources and wellness hub.

The difference between a sleep program and the Sleepy App is that the app allows parents to access the program through the app and pay for additional features and services if you require more support. You can also purchase programs through at the app, as your baby grows and develops.

The additional features included in a subscription include:

 Community forum

The Community Forum is a virtual chat room; it is similar to our wonderful Facebook community with more one-on-one support. Certified sleep consultants will be available during peak times to answer your questions and assist you throughout the day when things don’t quite go to plan! Don’t underestimate the power of community!

Wellness hub

The Wellness hub was created to provide Mums with the tools to take some time out for themselves. We are HUGE believers in the benefits of a healthy body and healthy mind, especially for mums. The benefits of exercise include better sleep, improved memory and higher energy levels; it also improves mental health and helps to protect women from conditions like anxiety and depression. Currently in Australia, as many as 1 in 3 women will experience anxiety in their lifetime, and being active can serve as a powerful tool for preventing and managing symptoms associated with this condition.

Remember – it is NOT selfish to prioritise your health!

When it comes to health and fitness advice, it’s important to get the right advice from a qualified professional – that’s why we are working with Renee McGeoch, a qualified post-partum fitness instructor and absolute gem, to deliver safe and effective exercises. Our movement sessions will be mainly interval training and include activation and mobility exercises.

 Our yoga and meditation classes are beautiful and relaxing, allowing deep stretching and breathing for a slower pace. Our yoga instructor, the gorgeous Beth has created some incredible videos for you to access 24/7 and work at your own pace in the comfort of your own home.

If you’re not sure if you are ready for these kinds of activities, please consult a health professional before starting.

Additional resources

These are like the bonus track on your favourite album…. The Additional resources section was created because after years of helping families, we realised there some questions we heard over and over. We kept track of them over the years and now we have answered all your pressing questions in the Additional resources section of the Sleepy App. Broken down into topics, these FAQ are a game-changer – you get access to some in-depth, step-by step knowledge from our experts.

The topics included in are:

• Pre-natal
• Newborn 
• 3 - 12 months
• 12 - 24 months
• 2 - 4 years
• Sleep safety
• Settling techniques
• Sleep regressions
• Developmental leaps
• Your mental health
• Sickness and illness
• First aid
• Sleep safety 101
• The science of sleep
• About us

Being a stay at home mums is by far the hardest job in the world. It’s selfless, tiring, worthwhile & at times isolating .. make sure you spend as much time outside of your house enjoying the sunshine and fresh air and organise catch ups with friends as regularly as possible. Your sanity needs it & it is good for bub too .. If you are worried about your social life interfering with your baby’s routine then don’t.. Get out between naps & no big deal if your social life takes over nap time here or there .. our every second day rule will have you feeling much more relaxed about sleep & will see you enjoying more of motherhood then ever before 🌙 happy Monday Mumma’s x

In an Australian first, young parents will have access to highly sought after sleep support for their babies, as part of a new partnership between the Brave Foundation and Baby Sleep School.

Sleep deprivation is a common complaint of new parents, but for those who are still navigating their teenage years, the transition to parenthood can be infinitely more challenging.

Baby Sleep School has joined forces with the Brave Foundation to provide free and on-going sleep help to families in need of support. Those involved in the new initiative will receive a personalised sleep plan, detailed advice around their babies sleeping needs at every age, and access to Baby Sleep School’s team of qualified baby sleep consultants.

“In the past 10 years almost 80,000 new mothers were aged under 20 at the time of the birth of their children, and like all new parents they need a village of support around them as they embark on their parenting journey,” said Brave Foundation CEO Jill Roche.

“We are so pleased to create this partnership with Baby Sleep School to ensure young parents are also provided with valuable guidance around their child’s sleep. Now participants in Brave’s program will be able to access additional help to ensure that they, and their children, are getting the rest they need in a safe and supported way.”

The Brave Foundation is a not- for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting these mothers and fathers from pregnancy and through the early years of parenting, and now sleep support will be added to the list of resources, education and referrals that Brave provides.

Recent statistics show more than 5-thousand babies are born in Australia each year to mothers under the age of 20.

”The data is clear - young mothers are one of Australia’s most disadvantaged groups,” said Marissa Wallis, founder and CEO of Baby Sleep School.

“Parenthood is demanding,and young parents face many of the same challenges as other parents, as well as other adversities''. We want to help these young parents by increasing their parenting skills and giving them confidence”.

The role of the qualified Baby Sleep Consultants at Baby Sleep School will be understanding the individual Parents' needs arising from their personal history and current life situation. As well as the shared and individual needs of young parents to then develop services that respond to these needs.

“We want to ensure these mothers and fathers are far better supported, and one of the ways we can do that is by providing education and information around a baby’s sleeping and feeding needs,” she said.

“There is significant research to show sleep deprivation increases the likelihood of things like brain fog, mood swings, and post-natal anxiety and depression, so supporting these young parents to improve their baby’s sleep - and in turn their own - is imperative.

To learn more about the Brave Foundation, visit bravefoundation.org.au

Baby Sleep School can be found at sleepschool.co

Mothers have been teaching their babies to sleep since the dawn of time. From rocking them to replicate the movement they would have felt in the womb, to gently resettling them when they need more than a catnap, and everything in between – mothers know sleep is important to a baby’s growth and development.

In the traditional village setting of the past, women would share hard-won experience knowledge with one another in the course of their days– ‘This worked for my baby’, or ‘Have you tried making a ‘shusssh’ sound?’ – and each family would figure out what worked for them.

What we do at Baby Sleep School is kind of like a modern version of that – we share what we have learned, through education, our tribe, our experiences in helping families find healthy sleep habits and our personal experience with our own families. We want to help families who are crying out for better sleep – it’s as simple as that.

Sleep training always equals ‘cry it out’, doesn’t it?

No! Not at all. This is such a common misconception – there are so many ways to sleep train, and while some people and organisations recommend ‘cry it out’, which is based upon allowing a baby to cry for extended periods of time without providing hands on reassurance, we do not.

All sleep training/teaching systems are not the same. We offer practical and gentle sleep advice and take care to help parents understand their babies better, and about how to approach the different types of cries your baby may do in bed. Never ever will you hear us recommending you leave your baby to cry themselves to sleep.

Why is sleep so important?

Sleep isn’t a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a health and wellness must. And that goes for everyone – for babies, for mothers, for children – for adults! But we want to explore why sleep is something we can’t take for granted…

• for babies: so much of a baby’s growth and development happens when they sleep – most of their brain development happens during sleep, synapses are formed, memories stored – they’re busy when they’re sleeping! A rested baby also tends to eat better, which is key for development, as well as their general mood.
  
• for mothers: the wellbeing of mothers is vital to the wellbeing of their babies. There are so many mums out there that are exhausted, overextended and pouring from an empty cup. When baby sleeps well, everyone sleeps well, resulting in happier, more resilient parents! Poor sleep can affect every part of an adult’s life, and make life so much harder than it needs to be. We genuinely believe, and have seen, that good sleep makes for much happier families and especially mums – as well as beautiful, happy, bouncing babies.

Should everyone sleep train?

Goodness no! Some people will want to, like we did when we needed help teaching our first babies to sleep, and some people won’t – and that’s totally fine! Sleep training, like everything parenting, is not a ‘one size fits all’ situation. Our guidelines are just that – guidelines! We aim to provide parents with gentle tools, tips and most importantly, a range of different options, to help their baby achieve the sleep they need for healthy development and growth.

We strongly recommend people do what works for them – their baby, their family, their own comfort zone and intuition.

Is it ok to sleep train?

Yes! We think so – we have dedicated years and years to sleep training our children and helping thousands of families achieve better sleep in a gentle, flexible way.

It is fine to sleep train your baby as long as you are following safe sleep rules and being safe generally. It is fine not to sleep train your baby. What is not fine is make others feel bad about how they choose to deal with sleep, so be kind to all mums, no matter their approach – it’s a tough job and everyone is doing their best.

Remember the days when a sleep in meant waking up past 9am? And now there are days when you see 7.03am and think ‘Thank heavens for my sleep in…’

While the reality is you probably won’t return to those regular long, lazy mornings languishing in bed with a coffee or a book anytime soon, there are many practical ways to help if your little one is a super early riser.

Now, first things first. When we talk about babies and toddlers, an ‘early riser’ is not a baby who is up at 6.30am after a 12-hour sleep. That’s a definite win in baby-and-toddler-parent land. We’re talking about when your bundle of joy is beating the roosters to greet the day.

Of course, your baby or toddler will naturally go through disruptions and unsettled periods – teething, changes to routine, developmental leaps and stages. A few early mornings are not cause for concern. If your little ones’ early rising (before 6am) has carried on consistently for over a week, and you want to try and shuffle the wake time forward, here are some things to look at and address:

Sound: Are there noisy birds right outside your baby’s window? Neighbours revving their engine when leaving at the crack of dawn? An early alarm clock going off for another member of the family? There’s nothing like an external noise waking your peacefully sleeping baby, and while some things are truly out of your control, you can always try turning up the white noise machine to drown out some of the unavoidable noises. If you don’t have one already, we have a great little portable sound machine.

Temperature: Often the temperature can drop in the early morning – while we can easily pull up another blanket ourselves, babies don’t have this luxury. Being too hot can also be an issue. Check that the room is around 19-22 degrees, and that the sleeping bag TOG is appropriate for the climate and heating situation in your home. Plenty of brands that make sleeping bags have great resources about the ideal temperature and layers needed under their sleeping bags.

Light: Let there be… dark! A dark room increases production of melatonin, the sleepy hormone. Light sneaking in can affect quality of sleep, and your little ones’ ability to resettle themselves. As they get older, they may become distracted if they can see their toys, books, or shadows playing on the wall (it’s mind blowing how many creatures a two-year-old can see in the shadows…).

Aim for a totally dark room, if this is not possible with your existing blinds/curtains you can try blackout blinds, like these.

Hunger: Now unless you’re into intermittent fasting, most adults would not go for 12 or 13 hours between meals (or some pre bed toast or choccie biscuits). This is often the gap babies will go between feeds/meals so it is not surprising that many wake early due to hunger. Take a look to ensure they’re getting sufficient sustenance during the day – for smaller babes, check the milk/formula feeds recommended for their age and weight, and once solids are in the mix, check their protein and carbohydrate needs are met. Load then up with sufficient sustenance in the day to increase your chances of a ‘sleep in’.

It’s worth saying that some children simply are early risers – like some adults continue to be. Some babies or toddlers can happily start their day at 5.30am. Also, if your little one’s morning wake up time suits your family, and they’re getting enough sleep for their age, then that’s fine! Babies are not robots and nor are families. If you’re getting enough sleep, and everyone is healthy and content, there is no reason to change things.

There are a number of other factors to consider if the above don’t seem to make a difference. There’s plenty more information in our Sleep Guides, with complete checklists to cross off.

And if not, there’s a coffee with your name on it mama, you’re doing an excellent job.

Have you ever walked from the nice calm world into a shop where the music is REALLY, REALLY LOUD? It’s so jarring!

 Well that, in reverse, is what happens to our babies. They’re in the womb, warm, snug and safe for 9 months. As their hearing develops, the sound of our bodies is constant for them – like a song that never ends, but a good one. Our heartbeat. Our blood. Our voice (and yes, even our car singing), their dad’s voice; they’re there for it all and it reassures them.

And when they finally land in your arms – it’s so QUIET without all that noise! This is why we swear by white noise for all baby sleeps. it is such a positive sleep association; it both soothes your baby and also lets them know now is a good time for sleep.

 Enter the Sleepy Portable Sound Machine; a handy, smart machine that offers 6 different soothing sounds for your baby:

♪          Lullaby

☔︎        Rain

♩          Shooshing sound

♥︎        Fetal heartbeat

༄               White noise

⚓︎        Ocean Waves

The machine is easily portable (has a clip for easy hanging), automatically enters sleep mode after 30 mins (saving battery), USB chargeable… the list goes on! But for us, the star of the show is that it is voice activated; when your baby makes noise, the sound kicks in! This feature could save you a whole resettle, and we know the less interrupted the sleep, the better.

Being compact and portable, it can go wherever you are. Hang it from the pram, pop it near baby in the car – use it as a message that even though they’re not in their nice comfy bed and dark room, that sleep is the next step for them.

So simple a dad could use it (sorry dads, we really do love you!), a colour scheme that will work with anything AND a sleep saviour? Run, don’t walk! You can find them here.

Red light and sleep – a match made in heaven

If you follow us on socials, you’ll know that we are big believers in dark rooms for baby sleep – and for babies up to 18 months that is certainly the case – but night lights do have a time and a place.

The time – like we said, after 18 months of age. For some children, this can be when the dark is full of scary unknowns, and when a nightlight can provide comfort for any of those night time wake ups – and hopefully stop them from getting out of bed!

So what sort of light? You’ve probably heard about the pitfalls of blue light (we admit – we sometimes use our phones before sleep but we also agree with the science behind this being a bad idea) – but what about red light?

Blue, white, or green light sources – however dim – can be detrimental to sleep as they emit blue light waves. Blue light is a stimulant that actually boosts attention and reaction times, which interrupt the production of melatonin (the sleepy hormone).

Here’s the secret that you need to know – red light is a higher wavelength and boosts melatonin production. Red light can help support good sleep! And it gives out enough light to reassure them they are home in bed and safe, without drawing them into being fully awake.

There are lots of ways to bring red light into your child’s sleep; our Sleepy Light is can provide one of four gentle warm/red-based light tones, sound machine, diffuser and humidifier all in one. You can also buy red light bulbs, or smart light bulbs that can be any colour, for a lamp you already have, or red wall plugs.

If you are looking for light that supports good sleep we urge you – think red!

The Baby Sleep School App was created after years of runaway success with the Baby Sleep School online sleep programs. The idea was born when founders Marissa Wallis and Amelia Lamont were struggling to get their own babies to sleep; they went the extra mile, both became qualified sleep consultants and started Baby Sleep School.

Together, Marissa and Amelia have helped thousands of families worldwide achieve sleep success with their popular online downloadable sleep programs.

But – they wanted to do more to help and support mums! In addition to offering many products and services to help teach babies great sleep habits, they have created an holistic approach to sleep training, with a focus on supporting mums to assist with their baby’s sleep. The Sleepy App is the key; one platform with all the information you need to achieve sleep success – easy, quick and ready to help at all times

Once you purchase a Baby Sleep School program (Newborn, 3-12 months, 12-24 months and Toddler) from our website, you will be sent a link to download the Sleepy App for free. You can then access your sleep program guide on the App, making finding that one priceless nugget of information that will help, that much easier.

Sleepy App – your sleep saviour

Need a sleep saviour in your pocket?

Your wish is our command! Free with a purchase of one of our Sleep Programs, our Sleepy App has all the help, support and resources you need to master baby sleep in one place. Info from our sleep programs? Tick! Community section and forum with chat room, to learn from other mamas in our community? Tick! And because we are passionate about women’s health – a wellness hub for YOU, because a well mama is a happy mama! Includes yoga videos, fitness info and breathing and mediation exercises… tick, tick, tick! You can also get access to bonus content for all age groups, including info on regressions, first aid, sleep safety, settling techniques and more. TICK! Some of these are paid features; you can find out more about that below.

Download the Sleepy App today, available on: 

• IOS
• Google Play

Why should I pay for the additional monthly subscription fee? What extra help am I getting?

The Sleepy App is designed to be a simple way to access all your baby sleep requirements from one platform. The subscription fee is based on providing you with additional functions to support you through sleep training your baby, including the community forum, chat, additional resources and wellness hub.

The difference between a sleep program and the Sleepy App is that the app allows parents to access the program through the app and pay for additional features and services if you require more support. You can also purchase programs through at the app, as your baby grows and develops.

The additional features included in a subscription include:

 Community forum

The Community Forum is a virtual chat room; it is similar to our wonderful Facebook community with more one-on-one support. Certified sleep consultants will be available during peak times to answer your questions and assist you throughout the day when things don’t quite go to plan! Don’t underestimate the power of community!

Wellness hub

The Wellness hub was created to provide Mums with the tools to take some time out for themselves. We are HUGE believers in the benefits of a healthy body and healthy mind, especially for mums. The benefits of exercise include better sleep, improved memory and higher energy levels; it also improves mental health and helps to protect women from conditions like anxiety and depression. Currently in Australia, as many as 1 in 3 women will experience anxiety in their lifetime, and being active can serve as a powerful tool for preventing and managing symptoms associated with this condition.

Remember – it is NOT selfish to prioritise your health!

When it comes to health and fitness advice, it’s important to get the right advice from a qualified professional – that’s why we are working with Renee McGeoch, a qualified post-partum fitness instructor and absolute gem, to deliver safe and effective exercises. Our movement sessions will be mainly interval training and include activation and mobility exercises.

 Our yoga and meditation classes are beautiful and relaxing, allowing deep stretching and breathing for a slower pace. Our yoga instructor, the gorgeous Beth has created some incredible videos for you to access 24/7 and work at your own pace in the comfort of your own home.

If you’re not sure if you are ready for these kinds of activities, please consult a health professional before starting.

Additional resources

These are like the bonus track on your favourite album…. The Additional resources section was created because after years of helping families, we realised there some questions we heard over and over. We kept track of them over the years and now we have answered all your pressing questions in the Additional resources section of the Sleepy App. Broken down into topics, these FAQ are a game-changer – you get access to some in-depth, step-by step knowledge from our experts.

The topics included in are:

• Pre-natal
• Newborn 
• 3 - 12 months
• 12 - 24 months
• 2 - 4 years
• Sleep safety
• Settling techniques
• Sleep regressions
• Developmental leaps
• Your mental health
• Sickness and illness
• First aid
• Sleep safety 101
• The science of sleep
• About us

Being a stay at home mums is by far the hardest job in the world. It’s selfless, tiring, worthwhile & at times isolating .. make sure you spend as much time outside of your house enjoying the sunshine and fresh air and organise catch ups with friends as regularly as possible. Your sanity needs it & it is good for bub too .. If you are worried about your social life interfering with your baby’s routine then don’t.. Get out between naps & no big deal if your social life takes over nap time here or there .. our every second day rule will have you feeling much more relaxed about sleep & will see you enjoying more of motherhood then ever before 🌙 happy Monday Mumma’s x

In an Australian first, young parents will have access to highly sought after sleep support for their babies, as part of a new partnership between the Brave Foundation and Baby Sleep School.

Sleep deprivation is a common complaint of new parents, but for those who are still navigating their teenage years, the transition to parenthood can be infinitely more challenging.

Baby Sleep School has joined forces with the Brave Foundation to provide free and on-going sleep help to families in need of support. Those involved in the new initiative will receive a personalised sleep plan, detailed advice around their babies sleeping needs at every age, and access to Baby Sleep School’s team of qualified baby sleep consultants.

“In the past 10 years almost 80,000 new mothers were aged under 20 at the time of the birth of their children, and like all new parents they need a village of support around them as they embark on their parenting journey,” said Brave Foundation CEO Jill Roche.

“We are so pleased to create this partnership with Baby Sleep School to ensure young parents are also provided with valuable guidance around their child’s sleep. Now participants in Brave’s program will be able to access additional help to ensure that they, and their children, are getting the rest they need in a safe and supported way.”

The Brave Foundation is a not- for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting these mothers and fathers from pregnancy and through the early years of parenting, and now sleep support will be added to the list of resources, education and referrals that Brave provides.

Recent statistics show more than 5-thousand babies are born in Australia each year to mothers under the age of 20.

”The data is clear - young mothers are one of Australia’s most disadvantaged groups,” said Marissa Wallis, founder and CEO of Baby Sleep School.

“Parenthood is demanding,and young parents face many of the same challenges as other parents, as well as other adversities''. We want to help these young parents by increasing their parenting skills and giving them confidence”.

The role of the qualified Baby Sleep Consultants at Baby Sleep School will be understanding the individual Parents' needs arising from their personal history and current life situation. As well as the shared and individual needs of young parents to then develop services that respond to these needs.

“We want to ensure these mothers and fathers are far better supported, and one of the ways we can do that is by providing education and information around a baby’s sleeping and feeding needs,” she said.

“There is significant research to show sleep deprivation increases the likelihood of things like brain fog, mood swings, and post-natal anxiety and depression, so supporting these young parents to improve their baby’s sleep - and in turn their own - is imperative.

To learn more about the Brave Foundation, visit bravefoundation.org.au

Baby Sleep School can be found at sleepschool.co

Mothers have been teaching their babies to sleep since the dawn of time. From rocking them to replicate the movement they would have felt in the womb, to gently resettling them when they need more than a catnap, and everything in between – mothers know sleep is important to a baby’s growth and development.

In the traditional village setting of the past, women would share hard-won experience knowledge with one another in the course of their days– ‘This worked for my baby’, or ‘Have you tried making a ‘shusssh’ sound?’ – and each family would figure out what worked for them.

What we do at Baby Sleep School is kind of like a modern version of that – we share what we have learned, through education, our tribe, our experiences in helping families find healthy sleep habits and our personal experience with our own families. We want to help families who are crying out for better sleep – it’s as simple as that.

Sleep training always equals ‘cry it out’, doesn’t it?

No! Not at all. This is such a common misconception – there are so many ways to sleep train, and while some people and organisations recommend ‘cry it out’, which is based upon allowing a baby to cry for extended periods of time without providing hands on reassurance, we do not.

All sleep training/teaching systems are not the same. We offer practical and gentle sleep advice and take care to help parents understand their babies better, and about how to approach the different types of cries your baby may do in bed. Never ever will you hear us recommending you leave your baby to cry themselves to sleep.

Why is sleep so important?

Sleep isn’t a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a health and wellness must. And that goes for everyone – for babies, for mothers, for children – for adults! But we want to explore why sleep is something we can’t take for granted…

• for babies: so much of a baby’s growth and development happens when they sleep – most of their brain development happens during sleep, synapses are formed, memories stored – they’re busy when they’re sleeping! A rested baby also tends to eat better, which is key for development, as well as their general mood.
  
• for mothers: the wellbeing of mothers is vital to the wellbeing of their babies. There are so many mums out there that are exhausted, overextended and pouring from an empty cup. When baby sleeps well, everyone sleeps well, resulting in happier, more resilient parents! Poor sleep can affect every part of an adult’s life, and make life so much harder than it needs to be. We genuinely believe, and have seen, that good sleep makes for much happier families and especially mums – as well as beautiful, happy, bouncing babies.

Should everyone sleep train?

Goodness no! Some people will want to, like we did when we needed help teaching our first babies to sleep, and some people won’t – and that’s totally fine! Sleep training, like everything parenting, is not a ‘one size fits all’ situation. Our guidelines are just that – guidelines! We aim to provide parents with gentle tools, tips and most importantly, a range of different options, to help their baby achieve the sleep they need for healthy development and growth.

We strongly recommend people do what works for them – their baby, their family, their own comfort zone and intuition.

Is it ok to sleep train?

Yes! We think so – we have dedicated years and years to sleep training our children and helping thousands of families achieve better sleep in a gentle, flexible way.

It is fine to sleep train your baby as long as you are following safe sleep rules and being safe generally. It is fine not to sleep train your baby. What is not fine is make others feel bad about how they choose to deal with sleep, so be kind to all mums, no matter their approach – it’s a tough job and everyone is doing their best.

‘Put on your own mask first, before helping others’ – those word will be familiar to anyone who has ever boarded a plane (remember that?! The good old days hey). But when was the last time you stopped to make sure you were fitting your own mask, before tending to your little ones?

The advice is nothing new, but when push comes to shove – it can be seriously hard to prioritise your needs over those of your little ones even sometimes.

Parenting, and the juggles that come with it, can be intense – whether you’re a working mama, running a home, studying between feeds, running a farm, balancing blended families. Having these little people rely on us is a joy and a privilege but it can also be seriously challenging, and demanding in ways we never even dreamed of! (Who knew you can cut toast into the ‘wrong’ kind of triangles? Or that it is possible to cry and scream simultaneously?)

You can’t pour from an empty cup, and it is so important that as mamas we find some time to fill up our own stores of energy and joy. Especially in these challenging times – lockdowns, alarming world news – your wellbeing truly does matter. We talk about this more in the Mindful Parenting sections of our Sleep Guides – we can’t help regulate a baby (and their sleep) if we are not emotionally regulated ourselves!

So, we’re not saying that you need to book in a hot stone massage or rosé-fuelled long lunch (although now you mention it…) – it can be as simple as writing a quick hit list of small, achievable things that you know fill YOUR cup.

An hour curled up in bed streaming your fave show, a coffee and walk with a girlfriend, reading your book instead of tidying when the baby naps. Blasting 90s pop and shaking off some of the stress, calling an old friend, meditating. It doesn’t matter so much what it is, but that it is for you, and brings you some joy.

In turn, you’ll have some more patience, more energy, more joy – and that benefits the whole family, not just you.

Parents of newborns – we know finding time for you can be challenging especially in the early months. Can you call on some people in your family, community or network to help? Often with newborns, people are afraid of stepping on toes and love a clear request – ‘Can you stay with the baby while they nap while I walk with a friend?’. When we’re not used to asking for that time for ourselves, it can be tricky but try it out – we promise it gets easier with practice!

It’s not unusual to find parenting frustrating and really tricky at times – it’s totally normal, in fact! We really encourage you to reach out for support from your communities or on our forum. You’re never alone and sometimes sharing experiences can take a mental load off your mind (shout out to all the mamas who share their struggles openly!).

Of course, if you experience a constant low mood or anxiety, or some more extreme symptoms, we encourage you to seek professional support: speaking to your GP or Maternal Child Health Nurse can be a good place to start, and PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) have great resources as well as a free National helpline (1300 726 306). One in seven women in Australia experience postnatal depression – if this is you, you are not alone and help is available.

We see you mamas, and you’re doing a damn fine job. You deserve to take time to fill your cup!

Remember the days when a sleep in meant waking up past 9am? And now there are days when you see 7.03am and think ‘Thank heavens for my sleep in…’

While the reality is you probably won’t return to those regular long, lazy mornings languishing in bed with a coffee or a book anytime soon, there are many practical ways to help if your little one is a super early riser.

Now, first things first. When we talk about babies and toddlers, an ‘early riser’ is not a baby who is up at 6.30am after a 12-hour sleep. That’s a definite win in baby-and-toddler-parent land. We’re talking about when your bundle of joy is beating the roosters to greet the day.

Of course, your baby or toddler will naturally go through disruptions and unsettled periods – teething, changes to routine, developmental leaps and stages. A few early mornings are not cause for concern. If your little ones’ early rising (before 6am) has carried on consistently for over a week, and you want to try and shuffle the wake time forward, here are some things to look at and address:

Sound: Are there noisy birds right outside your baby’s window? Neighbours revving their engine when leaving at the crack of dawn? An early alarm clock going off for another member of the family? There’s nothing like an external noise waking your peacefully sleeping baby, and while some things are truly out of your control, you can always try turning up the white noise machine to drown out some of the unavoidable noises. If you don’t have one already, we have a great little portable sound machine.

Temperature: Often the temperature can drop in the early morning – while we can easily pull up another blanket ourselves, babies don’t have this luxury. Being too hot can also be an issue. Check that the room is around 19-22 degrees, and that the sleeping bag TOG is appropriate for the climate and heating situation in your home. Plenty of brands that make sleeping bags have great resources about the ideal temperature and layers needed under their sleeping bags.

Light: Let there be… dark! A dark room increases production of melatonin, the sleepy hormone. Light sneaking in can affect quality of sleep, and your little ones’ ability to resettle themselves. As they get older, they may become distracted if they can see their toys, books, or shadows playing on the wall (it’s mind blowing how many creatures a two-year-old can see in the shadows…).

Aim for a totally dark room, if this is not possible with your existing blinds/curtains you can try blackout blinds, like these.

Hunger: Now unless you’re into intermittent fasting, most adults would not go for 12 or 13 hours between meals (or some pre bed toast or choccie biscuits). This is often the gap babies will go between feeds/meals so it is not surprising that many wake early due to hunger. Take a look to ensure they’re getting sufficient sustenance during the day – for smaller babes, check the milk/formula feeds recommended for their age and weight, and once solids are in the mix, check their protein and carbohydrate needs are met. Load then up with sufficient sustenance in the day to increase your chances of a ‘sleep in’.

It’s worth saying that some children simply are early risers – like some adults continue to be. Some babies or toddlers can happily start their day at 5.30am. Also, if your little one’s morning wake up time suits your family, and they’re getting enough sleep for their age, then that’s fine! Babies are not robots and nor are families. If you’re getting enough sleep, and everyone is healthy and content, there is no reason to change things.

There are a number of other factors to consider if the above don’t seem to make a difference. There’s plenty more information in our Sleep Guides, with complete checklists to cross off.

And if not, there’s a coffee with your name on it mama, you’re doing an excellent job.

The Sleepy Checklist

When you’re sleep deprived, your brain can’t quite manage the same tasks it nails when you’re well rested, and unfortunately, problem solving is one of the things it will struggle with most!

So, if your child’s sleep is a big problem, but your brain is struggling to find an answer; what do you do?!

Well, if you’re anything like we were before we sleep trained, a big cry and a cuppa is what you do! Next up, we’d recommend buying the relevant Sleepy Guidelines for your child through our Sleepy App – the golden advice in these has worked wonders for so many families.

But, for something you can do right now, we’ve come up with a checklist of questions that may help you make a start on saving your family’s sleep. Run your eye over down these lists and see if you can figure out a change that might work for your babe and your family…

 Baby’s sleep environment

• Is it warm enough/cool enough?
• Is it as dark as it can possibly be?
• Do you have white noise or ambient sound?
• Do they have an age-appropriate comforter?
• Is it calm (boring) enough? An exciting room can keep baby awake just from looking around.
• Does the baby feel happy or sad when they enter their room? If sleep is stressful, you may need to create some positive associations with the room.

Before bed/nap time

• Is your baby hungry or thirsty? These can really mess with sleep!
• Do you have a pre-bed routine? A bit of quiet time, then book, a cuddle, a song?
• Is your baby exhibiting tired signs? (And do you know what their tired signs are? This is key!)
• Does your baby need to go down earlier/later?
• Have you talked up how great their room/bed/sleep is during the day?
• Do they need a fresh nappy before bed so wetting through doesn’t wake them?

During sleep time

• Does your baby wake after a certain amount of time?
• What’s waking your baby? If they’re hungry, tank them up. Cold – more layers. Hot – less layers!
• Do you have a plan for how you’ll resettle them back to sleep? Make sure everyone in the family is on board!
• If they’re upset – can you settle them while they stay in their cot?

After their nap/in the morning

• If they slept well, did you give them lots of praise?
• Do they need a little cuddle before re-entering the world?

Mum and dad

• Have you and your partner talked about how you’ll approach sleep?
• If mum is breastfeeding and therefore associated with food, can the other parent deal with overnight wakeups?
• Are you and your partner on the same page with what you’ll do about bedtime and wakeups?
• Have you done everything you can think of? Do you need some extra help?

This is not everything, but it’s hopefully enough to give you that ‘oh, I need to try such-and-such’ moment. And if you need a little extra assistance, sing out! We’re here to help.      

Have you ever walked from the nice calm world into a shop where the music is REALLY, REALLY LOUD? It’s so jarring!

 Well that, in reverse, is what happens to our babies. They’re in the womb, warm, snug and safe for 9 months. As their hearing develops, the sound of our bodies is constant for them – like a song that never ends, but a good one. Our heartbeat. Our blood. Our voice (and yes, even our car singing), their dad’s voice; they’re there for it all and it reassures them.

And when they finally land in your arms – it’s so QUIET without all that noise! This is why we swear by white noise for all baby sleeps. it is such a positive sleep association; it both soothes your baby and also lets them know now is a good time for sleep.

 Enter the Sleepy Portable Sound Machine; a handy, smart machine that offers 6 different soothing sounds for your baby:

♪          Lullaby

☔︎        Rain

♩          Shooshing sound

♥︎        Fetal heartbeat

༄               White noise

⚓︎        Ocean Waves

The machine is easily portable (has a clip for easy hanging), automatically enters sleep mode after 30 mins (saving battery), USB chargeable… the list goes on! But for us, the star of the show is that it is voice activated; when your baby makes noise, the sound kicks in! This feature could save you a whole resettle, and we know the less interrupted the sleep, the better.

Being compact and portable, it can go wherever you are. Hang it from the pram, pop it near baby in the car – use it as a message that even though they’re not in their nice comfy bed and dark room, that sleep is the next step for them.

So simple a dad could use it (sorry dads, we really do love you!), a colour scheme that will work with anything AND a sleep saviour? Run, don’t walk! You can find them here.

Red light and sleep – a match made in heaven

If you follow us on socials, you’ll know that we are big believers in dark rooms for baby sleep – and for babies up to 18 months that is certainly the case – but night lights do have a time and a place.

The time – like we said, after 18 months of age. For some children, this can be when the dark is full of scary unknowns, and when a nightlight can provide comfort for any of those night time wake ups – and hopefully stop them from getting out of bed!

So what sort of light? You’ve probably heard about the pitfalls of blue light (we admit – we sometimes use our phones before sleep but we also agree with the science behind this being a bad idea) – but what about red light?

Blue, white, or green light sources – however dim – can be detrimental to sleep as they emit blue light waves. Blue light is a stimulant that actually boosts attention and reaction times, which interrupt the production of melatonin (the sleepy hormone).

Here’s the secret that you need to know – red light is a higher wavelength and boosts melatonin production. Red light can help support good sleep! And it gives out enough light to reassure them they are home in bed and safe, without drawing them into being fully awake.

There are lots of ways to bring red light into your child’s sleep; our Sleepy Light is can provide one of four gentle warm/red-based light tones, sound machine, diffuser and humidifier all in one. You can also buy red light bulbs, or smart light bulbs that can be any colour, for a lamp you already have, or red wall plugs.

If you are looking for light that supports good sleep we urge you – think red!

The Baby Sleep School App was created after years of runaway success with the Baby Sleep School online sleep programs. The idea was born when founders Marissa Wallis and Amelia Lamont were struggling to get their own babies to sleep; they went the extra mile, both became qualified sleep consultants and started Baby Sleep School.

Together, Marissa and Amelia have helped thousands of families worldwide achieve sleep success with their popular online downloadable sleep programs.

But – they wanted to do more to help and support mums! In addition to offering many products and services to help teach babies great sleep habits, they have created an holistic approach to sleep training, with a focus on supporting mums to assist with their baby’s sleep. The Sleepy App is the key; one platform with all the information you need to achieve sleep success – easy, quick and ready to help at all times

Once you purchase a Baby Sleep School program (Newborn, 3-12 months, 12-24 months and Toddler) from our website, you will be sent a link to download the Sleepy App for free. You can then access your sleep program guide on the App, making finding that one priceless nugget of information that will help, that much easier.

Sleepy App – your sleep saviour

Need a sleep saviour in your pocket?

Your wish is our command! Free with a purchase of one of our Sleep Programs, our Sleepy App has all the help, support and resources you need to master baby sleep in one place. Info from our sleep programs? Tick! Community section and forum with chat room, to learn from other mamas in our community? Tick! And because we are passionate about women’s health – a wellness hub for YOU, because a well mama is a happy mama! Includes yoga videos, fitness info and breathing and mediation exercises… tick, tick, tick! You can also get access to bonus content for all age groups, including info on regressions, first aid, sleep safety, settling techniques and more. TICK! Some of these are paid features; you can find out more about that below.

Download the Sleepy App today, available on: 

• IOS
• Google Play

Why should I pay for the additional monthly subscription fee? What extra help am I getting?

The Sleepy App is designed to be a simple way to access all your baby sleep requirements from one platform. The subscription fee is based on providing you with additional functions to support you through sleep training your baby, including the community forum, chat, additional resources and wellness hub.

The difference between a sleep program and the Sleepy App is that the app allows parents to access the program through the app and pay for additional features and services if you require more support. You can also purchase programs through at the app, as your baby grows and develops.

The additional features included in a subscription include:

 Community forum

The Community Forum is a virtual chat room; it is similar to our wonderful Facebook community with more one-on-one support. Certified sleep consultants will be available during peak times to answer your questions and assist you throughout the day when things don’t quite go to plan! Don’t underestimate the power of community!

Wellness hub

The Wellness hub was created to provide Mums with the tools to take some time out for themselves. We are HUGE believers in the benefits of a healthy body and healthy mind, especially for mums. The benefits of exercise include better sleep, improved memory and higher energy levels; it also improves mental health and helps to protect women from conditions like anxiety and depression. Currently in Australia, as many as 1 in 3 women will experience anxiety in their lifetime, and being active can serve as a powerful tool for preventing and managing symptoms associated with this condition.

Remember – it is NOT selfish to prioritise your health!

When it comes to health and fitness advice, it’s important to get the right advice from a qualified professional – that’s why we are working with Renee McGeoch, a qualified post-partum fitness instructor and absolute gem, to deliver safe and effective exercises. Our movement sessions will be mainly interval training and include activation and mobility exercises.

 Our yoga and meditation classes are beautiful and relaxing, allowing deep stretching and breathing for a slower pace. Our yoga instructor, the gorgeous Beth has created some incredible videos for you to access 24/7 and work at your own pace in the comfort of your own home.

If you’re not sure if you are ready for these kinds of activities, please consult a health professional before starting.

Additional resources

These are like the bonus track on your favourite album…. The Additional resources section was created because after years of helping families, we realised there some questions we heard over and over. We kept track of them over the years and now we have answered all your pressing questions in the Additional resources section of the Sleepy App. Broken down into topics, these FAQ are a game-changer – you get access to some in-depth, step-by step knowledge from our experts.

The topics included in are:

• Pre-natal
• Newborn 
• 3 - 12 months
• 12 - 24 months
• 2 - 4 years
• Sleep safety
• Settling techniques
• Sleep regressions
• Developmental leaps
• Your mental health
• Sickness and illness
• First aid
• Sleep safety 101
• The science of sleep
• About us

In an Australian first, young parents will have access to highly sought after sleep support for their babies, as part of a new partnership between the Brave Foundation and Baby Sleep School.

Sleep deprivation is a common complaint of new parents, but for those who are still navigating their teenage years, the transition to parenthood can be infinitely more challenging.

Baby Sleep School has joined forces with the Brave Foundation to provide free and on-going sleep help to families in need of support. Those involved in the new initiative will receive a personalised sleep plan, detailed advice around their babies sleeping needs at every age, and access to Baby Sleep School’s team of qualified baby sleep consultants.

“In the past 10 years almost 80,000 new mothers were aged under 20 at the time of the birth of their children, and like all new parents they need a village of support around them as they embark on their parenting journey,” said Brave Foundation CEO Jill Roche.

“We are so pleased to create this partnership with Baby Sleep School to ensure young parents are also provided with valuable guidance around their child’s sleep. Now participants in Brave’s program will be able to access additional help to ensure that they, and their children, are getting the rest they need in a safe and supported way.”

The Brave Foundation is a not- for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting these mothers and fathers from pregnancy and through the early years of parenting, and now sleep support will be added to the list of resources, education and referrals that Brave provides.

Recent statistics show more than 5-thousand babies are born in Australia each year to mothers under the age of 20.

”The data is clear - young mothers are one of Australia’s most disadvantaged groups,” said Marissa Wallis, founder and CEO of Baby Sleep School.

“Parenthood is demanding,and young parents face many of the same challenges as other parents, as well as other adversities''. We want to help these young parents by increasing their parenting skills and giving them confidence”.

The role of the qualified Baby Sleep Consultants at Baby Sleep School will be understanding the individual Parents' needs arising from their personal history and current life situation. As well as the shared and individual needs of young parents to then develop services that respond to these needs.

“We want to ensure these mothers and fathers are far better supported, and one of the ways we can do that is by providing education and information around a baby’s sleeping and feeding needs,” she said.

“There is significant research to show sleep deprivation increases the likelihood of things like brain fog, mood swings, and post-natal anxiety and depression, so supporting these young parents to improve their baby’s sleep - and in turn their own - is imperative.

To learn more about the Brave Foundation, visit bravefoundation.org.au

Baby Sleep School can be found at sleepschool.co

Mothers have been teaching their babies to sleep since the dawn of time. From rocking them to replicate the movement they would have felt in the womb, to gently resettling them when they need more than a catnap, and everything in between – mothers know sleep is important to a baby’s growth and development.

In the traditional village setting of the past, women would share hard-won experience knowledge with one another in the course of their days– ‘This worked for my baby’, or ‘Have you tried making a ‘shusssh’ sound?’ – and each family would figure out what worked for them.

What we do at Baby Sleep School is kind of like a modern version of that – we share what we have learned, through education, our tribe, our experiences in helping families find healthy sleep habits and our personal experience with our own families. We want to help families who are crying out for better sleep – it’s as simple as that.

Sleep training always equals ‘cry it out’, doesn’t it?

No! Not at all. This is such a common misconception – there are so many ways to sleep train, and while some people and organisations recommend ‘cry it out’, which is based upon allowing a baby to cry for extended periods of time without providing hands on reassurance, we do not.

All sleep training/teaching systems are not the same. We offer practical and gentle sleep advice and take care to help parents understand their babies better, and about how to approach the different types of cries your baby may do in bed. Never ever will you hear us recommending you leave your baby to cry themselves to sleep.

Why is sleep so important?

Sleep isn’t a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a health and wellness must. And that goes for everyone – for babies, for mothers, for children – for adults! But we want to explore why sleep is something we can’t take for granted…

• for babies: so much of a baby’s growth and development happens when they sleep – most of their brain development happens during sleep, synapses are formed, memories stored – they’re busy when they’re sleeping! A rested baby also tends to eat better, which is key for development, as well as their general mood.
  
• for mothers: the wellbeing of mothers is vital to the wellbeing of their babies. There are so many mums out there that are exhausted, overextended and pouring from an empty cup. When baby sleeps well, everyone sleeps well, resulting in happier, more resilient parents! Poor sleep can affect every part of an adult’s life, and make life so much harder than it needs to be. We genuinely believe, and have seen, that good sleep makes for much happier families and especially mums – as well as beautiful, happy, bouncing babies.

Should everyone sleep train?

Goodness no! Some people will want to, like we did when we needed help teaching our first babies to sleep, and some people won’t – and that’s totally fine! Sleep training, like everything parenting, is not a ‘one size fits all’ situation. Our guidelines are just that – guidelines! We aim to provide parents with gentle tools, tips and most importantly, a range of different options, to help their baby achieve the sleep they need for healthy development and growth.

We strongly recommend people do what works for them – their baby, their family, their own comfort zone and intuition.

Is it ok to sleep train?

Yes! We think so – we have dedicated years and years to sleep training our children and helping thousands of families achieve better sleep in a gentle, flexible way.

It is fine to sleep train your baby as long as you are following safe sleep rules and being safe generally. It is fine not to sleep train your baby. What is not fine is make others feel bad about how they choose to deal with sleep, so be kind to all mums, no matter their approach – it’s a tough job and everyone is doing their best.

‘Put on your own mask first, before helping others’ – those word will be familiar to anyone who has ever boarded a plane (remember that?! The good old days hey). But when was the last time you stopped to make sure you were fitting your own mask, before tending to your little ones?

The advice is nothing new, but when push comes to shove – it can be seriously hard to prioritise your needs over those of your little ones even sometimes.

Parenting, and the juggles that come with it, can be intense – whether you’re a working mama, running a home, studying between feeds, running a farm, balancing blended families. Having these little people rely on us is a joy and a privilege but it can also be seriously challenging, and demanding in ways we never even dreamed of! (Who knew you can cut toast into the ‘wrong’ kind of triangles? Or that it is possible to cry and scream simultaneously?)

You can’t pour from an empty cup, and it is so important that as mamas we find some time to fill up our own stores of energy and joy. Especially in these challenging times – lockdowns, alarming world news – your wellbeing truly does matter. We talk about this more in the Mindful Parenting sections of our Sleep Guides – we can’t help regulate a baby (and their sleep) if we are not emotionally regulated ourselves!

So, we’re not saying that you need to book in a hot stone massage or rosé-fuelled long lunch (although now you mention it…) – it can be as simple as writing a quick hit list of small, achievable things that you know fill YOUR cup.

An hour curled up in bed streaming your fave show, a coffee and walk with a girlfriend, reading your book instead of tidying when the baby naps. Blasting 90s pop and shaking off some of the stress, calling an old friend, meditating. It doesn’t matter so much what it is, but that it is for you, and brings you some joy.

In turn, you’ll have some more patience, more energy, more joy – and that benefits the whole family, not just you.

Parents of newborns – we know finding time for you can be challenging especially in the early months. Can you call on some people in your family, community or network to help? Often with newborns, people are afraid of stepping on toes and love a clear request – ‘Can you stay with the baby while they nap while I walk with a friend?’. When we’re not used to asking for that time for ourselves, it can be tricky but try it out – we promise it gets easier with practice!

It’s not unusual to find parenting frustrating and really tricky at times – it’s totally normal, in fact! We really encourage you to reach out for support from your communities or on our forum. You’re never alone and sometimes sharing experiences can take a mental load off your mind (shout out to all the mamas who share their struggles openly!).

Of course, if you experience a constant low mood or anxiety, or some more extreme symptoms, we encourage you to seek professional support: speaking to your GP or Maternal Child Health Nurse can be a good place to start, and PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) have great resources as well as a free National helpline (1300 726 306). One in seven women in Australia experience postnatal depression – if this is you, you are not alone and help is available.

We see you mamas, and you’re doing a damn fine job. You deserve to take time to fill your cup!

Remember the days when a sleep in meant waking up past 9am? And now there are days when you see 7.03am and think ‘Thank heavens for my sleep in…’

While the reality is you probably won’t return to those regular long, lazy mornings languishing in bed with a coffee or a book anytime soon, there are many practical ways to help if your little one is a super early riser.

Now, first things first. When we talk about babies and toddlers, an ‘early riser’ is not a baby who is up at 6.30am after a 12-hour sleep. That’s a definite win in baby-and-toddler-parent land. We’re talking about when your bundle of joy is beating the roosters to greet the day.

Of course, your baby or toddler will naturally go through disruptions and unsettled periods – teething, changes to routine, developmental leaps and stages. A few early mornings are not cause for concern. If your little ones’ early rising (before 6am) has carried on consistently for over a week, and you want to try and shuffle the wake time forward, here are some things to look at and address:

Sound: Are there noisy birds right outside your baby’s window? Neighbours revving their engine when leaving at the crack of dawn? An early alarm clock going off for another member of the family? There’s nothing like an external noise waking your peacefully sleeping baby, and while some things are truly out of your control, you can always try turning up the white noise machine to drown out some of the unavoidable noises. If you don’t have one already, we have a great little portable sound machine.

Temperature: Often the temperature can drop in the early morning – while we can easily pull up another blanket ourselves, babies don’t have this luxury. Being too hot can also be an issue. Check that the room is around 19-22 degrees, and that the sleeping bag TOG is appropriate for the climate and heating situation in your home. Plenty of brands that make sleeping bags have great resources about the ideal temperature and layers needed under their sleeping bags.

Light: Let there be… dark! A dark room increases production of melatonin, the sleepy hormone. Light sneaking in can affect quality of sleep, and your little ones’ ability to resettle themselves. As they get older, they may become distracted if they can see their toys, books, or shadows playing on the wall (it’s mind blowing how many creatures a two-year-old can see in the shadows…).

Aim for a totally dark room, if this is not possible with your existing blinds/curtains you can try blackout blinds, like these.

Hunger: Now unless you’re into intermittent fasting, most adults would not go for 12 or 13 hours between meals (or some pre bed toast or choccie biscuits). This is often the gap babies will go between feeds/meals so it is not surprising that many wake early due to hunger. Take a look to ensure they’re getting sufficient sustenance during the day – for smaller babes, check the milk/formula feeds recommended for their age and weight, and once solids are in the mix, check their protein and carbohydrate needs are met. Load then up with sufficient sustenance in the day to increase your chances of a ‘sleep in’.

It’s worth saying that some children simply are early risers – like some adults continue to be. Some babies or toddlers can happily start their day at 5.30am. Also, if your little one’s morning wake up time suits your family, and they’re getting enough sleep for their age, then that’s fine! Babies are not robots and nor are families. If you’re getting enough sleep, and everyone is healthy and content, there is no reason to change things.

There are a number of other factors to consider if the above don’t seem to make a difference. There’s plenty more information in our Sleep Guides, with complete checklists to cross off.

And if not, there’s a coffee with your name on it mama, you’re doing an excellent job.

Have you ever walked from the nice calm world into a shop where the music is REALLY, REALLY LOUD? It’s so jarring!

 Well that, in reverse, is what happens to our babies. They’re in the womb, warm, snug and safe for 9 months. As their hearing develops, the sound of our bodies is constant for them – like a song that never ends, but a good one. Our heartbeat. Our blood. Our voice (and yes, even our car singing), their dad’s voice; they’re there for it all and it reassures them.

And when they finally land in your arms – it’s so QUIET without all that noise! This is why we swear by white noise for all baby sleeps. it is such a positive sleep association; it both soothes your baby and also lets them know now is a good time for sleep.

 Enter the Sleepy Portable Sound Machine; a handy, smart machine that offers 6 different soothing sounds for your baby:

♪          Lullaby

☔︎        Rain

♩          Shooshing sound

♥︎        Fetal heartbeat

༄               White noise

⚓︎        Ocean Waves

The machine is easily portable (has a clip for easy hanging), automatically enters sleep mode after 30 mins (saving battery), USB chargeable… the list goes on! But for us, the star of the show is that it is voice activated; when your baby makes noise, the sound kicks in! This feature could save you a whole resettle, and we know the less interrupted the sleep, the better.

Being compact and portable, it can go wherever you are. Hang it from the pram, pop it near baby in the car – use it as a message that even though they’re not in their nice comfy bed and dark room, that sleep is the next step for them.

So simple a dad could use it (sorry dads, we really do love you!), a colour scheme that will work with anything AND a sleep saviour? Run, don’t walk! You can find them here.

Red light and sleep – a match made in heaven

If you follow us on socials, you’ll know that we are big believers in dark rooms for baby sleep – and for babies up to 18 months that is certainly the case – but night lights do have a time and a place.

The time – like we said, after 18 months of age. For some children, this can be when the dark is full of scary unknowns, and when a nightlight can provide comfort for any of those night time wake ups – and hopefully stop them from getting out of bed!

So what sort of light? You’ve probably heard about the pitfalls of blue light (we admit – we sometimes use our phones before sleep but we also agree with the science behind this being a bad idea) – but what about red light?

Blue, white, or green light sources – however dim – can be detrimental to sleep as they emit blue light waves. Blue light is a stimulant that actually boosts attention and reaction times, which interrupt the production of melatonin (the sleepy hormone).

Here’s the secret that you need to know – red light is a higher wavelength and boosts melatonin production. Red light can help support good sleep! And it gives out enough light to reassure them they are home in bed and safe, without drawing them into being fully awake.

There are lots of ways to bring red light into your child’s sleep; our Sleepy Light is can provide one of four gentle warm/red-based light tones, sound machine, diffuser and humidifier all in one. You can also buy red light bulbs, or smart light bulbs that can be any colour, for a lamp you already have, or red wall plugs.

If you are looking for light that supports good sleep we urge you – think red!

The Baby Sleep School App was created after years of runaway success with the Baby Sleep School online sleep programs. The idea was born when founders Marissa Wallis and Amelia Lamont were struggling to get their own babies to sleep; they went the extra mile, both became qualified sleep consultants and started Baby Sleep School.

Together, Marissa and Amelia have helped thousands of families worldwide achieve sleep success with their popular online downloadable sleep programs.

But – they wanted to do more to help and support mums! In addition to offering many products and services to help teach babies great sleep habits, they have created an holistic approach to sleep training, with a focus on supporting mums to assist with their baby’s sleep. The Sleepy App is the key; one platform with all the information you need to achieve sleep success – easy, quick and ready to help at all times

Once you purchase a Baby Sleep School program (Newborn, 3-12 months, 12-24 months and Toddler) from our website, you will be sent a link to download the Sleepy App for free. You can then access your sleep program guide on the App, making finding that one priceless nugget of information that will help, that much easier.

Sleepy App – your sleep saviour

Need a sleep saviour in your pocket?

Your wish is our command! Free with a purchase of one of our Sleep Programs, our Sleepy App has all the help, support and resources you need to master baby sleep in one place. Info from our sleep programs? Tick! Community section and forum with chat room, to learn from other mamas in our community? Tick! And because we are passionate about women’s health – a wellness hub for YOU, because a well mama is a happy mama! Includes yoga videos, fitness info and breathing and mediation exercises… tick, tick, tick! You can also get access to bonus content for all age groups, including info on regressions, first aid, sleep safety, settling techniques and more. TICK! Some of these are paid features; you can find out more about that below.

Download the Sleepy App today, available on: 

• IOS
• Google Play

Why should I pay for the additional monthly subscription fee? What extra help am I getting?

The Sleepy App is designed to be a simple way to access all your baby sleep requirements from one platform. The subscription fee is based on providing you with additional functions to support you through sleep training your baby, including the community forum, chat, additional resources and wellness hub.

The difference between a sleep program and the Sleepy App is that the app allows parents to access the program through the app and pay for additional features and services if you require more support. You can also purchase programs through at the app, as your baby grows and develops.

The additional features included in a subscription include:

 Community forum

The Community Forum is a virtual chat room; it is similar to our wonderful Facebook community with more one-on-one support. Certified sleep consultants will be available during peak times to answer your questions and assist you throughout the day when things don’t quite go to plan! Don’t underestimate the power of community!

Wellness hub

The Wellness hub was created to provide Mums with the tools to take some time out for themselves. We are HUGE believers in the benefits of a healthy body and healthy mind, especially for mums. The benefits of exercise include better sleep, improved memory and higher energy levels; it also improves mental health and helps to protect women from conditions like anxiety and depression. Currently in Australia, as many as 1 in 3 women will experience anxiety in their lifetime, and being active can serve as a powerful tool for preventing and managing symptoms associated with this condition.

Remember – it is NOT selfish to prioritise your health!

When it comes to health and fitness advice, it’s important to get the right advice from a qualified professional – that’s why we are working with Renee McGeoch, a qualified post-partum fitness instructor and absolute gem, to deliver safe and effective exercises. Our movement sessions will be mainly interval training and include activation and mobility exercises.

 Our yoga and meditation classes are beautiful and relaxing, allowing deep stretching and breathing for a slower pace. Our yoga instructor, the gorgeous Beth has created some incredible videos for you to access 24/7 and work at your own pace in the comfort of your own home.

If you’re not sure if you are ready for these kinds of activities, please consult a health professional before starting.

Additional resources

These are like the bonus track on your favourite album…. The Additional resources section was created because after years of helping families, we realised there some questions we heard over and over. We kept track of them over the years and now we have answered all your pressing questions in the Additional resources section of the Sleepy App. Broken down into topics, these FAQ are a game-changer – you get access to some in-depth, step-by step knowledge from our experts.

The topics included in are:

• Pre-natal
• Newborn 
• 3 - 12 months
• 12 - 24 months
• 2 - 4 years
• Sleep safety
• Settling techniques
• Sleep regressions
• Developmental leaps
• Your mental health
• Sickness and illness
• First aid
• Sleep safety 101
• The science of sleep
• About us

Being a stay at home mums is by far the hardest job in the world. It’s selfless, tiring, worthwhile & at times isolating .. make sure you spend as much time outside of your house enjoying the sunshine and fresh air and organise catch ups with friends as regularly as possible. Your sanity needs it & it is good for bub too .. If you are worried about your social life interfering with your baby’s routine then don’t.. Get out between naps & no big deal if your social life takes over nap time here or there .. our every second day rule will have you feeling much more relaxed about sleep & will see you enjoying more of motherhood then ever before 🌙 happy Monday Mumma’s x

In an Australian first, young parents will have access to highly sought after sleep support for their babies, as part of a new partnership between the Brave Foundation and Baby Sleep School.

Sleep deprivation is a common complaint of new parents, but for those who are still navigating their teenage years, the transition to parenthood can be infinitely more challenging.

Baby Sleep School has joined forces with the Brave Foundation to provide free and on-going sleep help to families in need of support. Those involved in the new initiative will receive a personalised sleep plan, detailed advice around their babies sleeping needs at every age, and access to Baby Sleep School’s team of qualified baby sleep consultants.

“In the past 10 years almost 80,000 new mothers were aged under 20 at the time of the birth of their children, and like all new parents they need a village of support around them as they embark on their parenting journey,” said Brave Foundation CEO Jill Roche.

“We are so pleased to create this partnership with Baby Sleep School to ensure young parents are also provided with valuable guidance around their child’s sleep. Now participants in Brave’s program will be able to access additional help to ensure that they, and their children, are getting the rest they need in a safe and supported way.”

The Brave Foundation is a not- for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting these mothers and fathers from pregnancy and through the early years of parenting, and now sleep support will be added to the list of resources, education and referrals that Brave provides.

Recent statistics show more than 5-thousand babies are born in Australia each year to mothers under the age of 20.

”The data is clear - young mothers are one of Australia’s most disadvantaged groups,” said Marissa Wallis, founder and CEO of Baby Sleep School.

“Parenthood is demanding,and young parents face many of the same challenges as other parents, as well as other adversities''. We want to help these young parents by increasing their parenting skills and giving them confidence”.

The role of the qualified Baby Sleep Consultants at Baby Sleep School will be understanding the individual Parents' needs arising from their personal history and current life situation. As well as the shared and individual needs of young parents to then develop services that respond to these needs.

“We want to ensure these mothers and fathers are far better supported, and one of the ways we can do that is by providing education and information around a baby’s sleeping and feeding needs,” she said.

“There is significant research to show sleep deprivation increases the likelihood of things like brain fog, mood swings, and post-natal anxiety and depression, so supporting these young parents to improve their baby’s sleep - and in turn their own - is imperative.

To learn more about the Brave Foundation, visit bravefoundation.org.au

Baby Sleep School can be found at sleepschool.co

Mothers have been teaching their babies to sleep since the dawn of time. From rocking them to replicate the movement they would have felt in the womb, to gently resettling them when they need more than a catnap, and everything in between – mothers know sleep is important to a baby’s growth and development.

In the traditional village setting of the past, women would share hard-won experience knowledge with one another in the course of their days– ‘This worked for my baby’, or ‘Have you tried making a ‘shusssh’ sound?’ – and each family would figure out what worked for them.

What we do at Baby Sleep School is kind of like a modern version of that – we share what we have learned, through education, our tribe, our experiences in helping families find healthy sleep habits and our personal experience with our own families. We want to help families who are crying out for better sleep – it’s as simple as that.

Sleep training always equals ‘cry it out’, doesn’t it?

No! Not at all. This is such a common misconception – there are so many ways to sleep train, and while some people and organisations recommend ‘cry it out’, which is based upon allowing a baby to cry for extended periods of time without providing hands on reassurance, we do not.

All sleep training/teaching systems are not the same. We offer practical and gentle sleep advice and take care to help parents understand their babies better, and about how to approach the different types of cries your baby may do in bed. Never ever will you hear us recommending you leave your baby to cry themselves to sleep.

Why is sleep so important?

Sleep isn’t a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a health and wellness must. And that goes for everyone – for babies, for mothers, for children – for adults! But we want to explore why sleep is something we can’t take for granted…

• for babies: so much of a baby’s growth and development happens when they sleep – most of their brain development happens during sleep, synapses are formed, memories stored – they’re busy when they’re sleeping! A rested baby also tends to eat better, which is key for development, as well as their general mood.
  
• for mothers: the wellbeing of mothers is vital to the wellbeing of their babies. There are so many mums out there that are exhausted, overextended and pouring from an empty cup. When baby sleeps well, everyone sleeps well, resulting in happier, more resilient parents! Poor sleep can affect every part of an adult’s life, and make life so much harder than it needs to be. We genuinely believe, and have seen, that good sleep makes for much happier families and especially mums – as well as beautiful, happy, bouncing babies.

Should everyone sleep train?

Goodness no! Some people will want to, like we did when we needed help teaching our first babies to sleep, and some people won’t – and that’s totally fine! Sleep training, like everything parenting, is not a ‘one size fits all’ situation. Our guidelines are just that – guidelines! We aim to provide parents with gentle tools, tips and most importantly, a range of different options, to help their baby achieve the sleep they need for healthy development and growth.

We strongly recommend people do what works for them – their baby, their family, their own comfort zone and intuition.

Is it ok to sleep train?

Yes! We think so – we have dedicated years and years to sleep training our children and helping thousands of families achieve better sleep in a gentle, flexible way.

It is fine to sleep train your baby as long as you are following safe sleep rules and being safe generally. It is fine not to sleep train your baby. What is not fine is make others feel bad about how they choose to deal with sleep, so be kind to all mums, no matter their approach – it’s a tough job and everyone is doing their best.

‘Put on your own mask first, before helping others’ – those word will be familiar to anyone who has ever boarded a plane (remember that?! The good old days hey). But when was the last time you stopped to make sure you were fitting your own mask, before tending to your little ones?

The advice is nothing new, but when push comes to shove – it can be seriously hard to prioritise your needs over those of your little ones even sometimes.

Parenting, and the juggles that come with it, can be intense – whether you’re a working mama, running a home, studying between feeds, running a farm, balancing blended families. Having these little people rely on us is a joy and a privilege but it can also be seriously challenging, and demanding in ways we never even dreamed of! (Who knew you can cut toast into the ‘wrong’ kind of triangles? Or that it is possible to cry and scream simultaneously?)

You can’t pour from an empty cup, and it is so important that as mamas we find some time to fill up our own stores of energy and joy. Especially in these challenging times – lockdowns, alarming world news – your wellbeing truly does matter. We talk about this more in the Mindful Parenting sections of our Sleep Guides – we can’t help regulate a baby (and their sleep) if we are not emotionally regulated ourselves!

So, we’re not saying that you need to book in a hot stone massage or rosé-fuelled long lunch (although now you mention it…) – it can be as simple as writing a quick hit list of small, achievable things that you know fill YOUR cup.

An hour curled up in bed streaming your fave show, a coffee and walk with a girlfriend, reading your book instead of tidying when the baby naps. Blasting 90s pop and shaking off some of the stress, calling an old friend, meditating. It doesn’t matter so much what it is, but that it is for you, and brings you some joy.

In turn, you’ll have some more patience, more energy, more joy – and that benefits the whole family, not just you.

Parents of newborns – we know finding time for you can be challenging especially in the early months. Can you call on some people in your family, community or network to help? Often with newborns, people are afraid of stepping on toes and love a clear request – ‘Can you stay with the baby while they nap while I walk with a friend?’. When we’re not used to asking for that time for ourselves, it can be tricky but try it out – we promise it gets easier with practice!

It’s not unusual to find parenting frustrating and really tricky at times – it’s totally normal, in fact! We really encourage you to reach out for support from your communities or on our forum. You’re never alone and sometimes sharing experiences can take a mental load off your mind (shout out to all the mamas who share their struggles openly!).

Of course, if you experience a constant low mood or anxiety, or some more extreme symptoms, we encourage you to seek professional support: speaking to your GP or Maternal Child Health Nurse can be a good place to start, and PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) have great resources as well as a free National helpline (1300 726 306). One in seven women in Australia experience postnatal depression – if this is you, you are not alone and help is available.

We see you mamas, and you’re doing a damn fine job. You deserve to take time to fill your cup!

Remember the days when a sleep in meant waking up past 9am? And now there are days when you see 7.03am and think ‘Thank heavens for my sleep in…’

While the reality is you probably won’t return to those regular long, lazy mornings languishing in bed with a coffee or a book anytime soon, there are many practical ways to help if your little one is a super early riser.

Now, first things first. When we talk about babies and toddlers, an ‘early riser’ is not a baby who is up at 6.30am after a 12-hour sleep. That’s a definite win in baby-and-toddler-parent land. We’re talking about when your bundle of joy is beating the roosters to greet the day.

Of course, your baby or toddler will naturally go through disruptions and unsettled periods – teething, changes to routine, developmental leaps and stages. A few early mornings are not cause for concern. If your little ones’ early rising (before 6am) has carried on consistently for over a week, and you want to try and shuffle the wake time forward, here are some things to look at and address:

Sound: Are there noisy birds right outside your baby’s window? Neighbours revving their engine when leaving at the crack of dawn? An early alarm clock going off for another member of the family? There’s nothing like an external noise waking your peacefully sleeping baby, and while some things are truly out of your control, you can always try turning up the white noise machine to drown out some of the unavoidable noises. If you don’t have one already, we have a great little portable sound machine.

Temperature: Often the temperature can drop in the early morning – while we can easily pull up another blanket ourselves, babies don’t have this luxury. Being too hot can also be an issue. Check that the room is around 19-22 degrees, and that the sleeping bag TOG is appropriate for the climate and heating situation in your home. Plenty of brands that make sleeping bags have great resources about the ideal temperature and layers needed under their sleeping bags.

Light: Let there be… dark! A dark room increases production of melatonin, the sleepy hormone. Light sneaking in can affect quality of sleep, and your little ones’ ability to resettle themselves. As they get older, they may become distracted if they can see their toys, books, or shadows playing on the wall (it’s mind blowing how many creatures a two-year-old can see in the shadows…).

Aim for a totally dark room, if this is not possible with your existing blinds/curtains you can try blackout blinds, like these.

Hunger: Now unless you’re into intermittent fasting, most adults would not go for 12 or 13 hours between meals (or some pre bed toast or choccie biscuits). This is often the gap babies will go between feeds/meals so it is not surprising that many wake early due to hunger. Take a look to ensure they’re getting sufficient sustenance during the day – for smaller babes, check the milk/formula feeds recommended for their age and weight, and once solids are in the mix, check their protein and carbohydrate needs are met. Load then up with sufficient sustenance in the day to increase your chances of a ‘sleep in’.

It’s worth saying that some children simply are early risers – like some adults continue to be. Some babies or toddlers can happily start their day at 5.30am. Also, if your little one’s morning wake up time suits your family, and they’re getting enough sleep for their age, then that’s fine! Babies are not robots and nor are families. If you’re getting enough sleep, and everyone is healthy and content, there is no reason to change things.

There are a number of other factors to consider if the above don’t seem to make a difference. There’s plenty more information in our Sleep Guides, with complete checklists to cross off.

And if not, there’s a coffee with your name on it mama, you’re doing an excellent job.

The Sleepy Checklist

When you’re sleep deprived, your brain can’t quite manage the same tasks it nails when you’re well rested, and unfortunately, problem solving is one of the things it will struggle with most!

So, if your child’s sleep is a big problem, but your brain is struggling to find an answer; what do you do?!

Well, if you’re anything like we were before we sleep trained, a big cry and a cuppa is what you do! Next up, we’d recommend buying the relevant Sleepy Guidelines for your child through our Sleepy App – the golden advice in these has worked wonders for so many families.

But, for something you can do right now, we’ve come up with a checklist of questions that may help you make a start on saving your family’s sleep. Run your eye over down these lists and see if you can figure out a change that might work for your babe and your family…

 Baby’s sleep environment

• Is it warm enough/cool enough?
• Is it as dark as it can possibly be?
• Do you have white noise or ambient sound?
• Do they have an age-appropriate comforter?
• Is it calm (boring) enough? An exciting room can keep baby awake just from looking around.
• Does the baby feel happy or sad when they enter their room? If sleep is stressful, you may need to create some positive associations with the room.

Before bed/nap time

• Is your baby hungry or thirsty? These can really mess with sleep!
• Do you have a pre-bed routine? A bit of quiet time, then book, a cuddle, a song?
• Is your baby exhibiting tired signs? (And do you know what their tired signs are? This is key!)
• Does your baby need to go down earlier/later?
• Have you talked up how great their room/bed/sleep is during the day?
• Do they need a fresh nappy before bed so wetting through doesn’t wake them?

During sleep time

• Does your baby wake after a certain amount of time?
• What’s waking your baby? If they’re hungry, tank them up. Cold – more layers. Hot – less layers!
• Do you have a plan for how you’ll resettle them back to sleep? Make sure everyone in the family is on board!
• If they’re upset – can you settle them while they stay in their cot?

After their nap/in the morning

• If they slept well, did you give them lots of praise?
• Do they need a little cuddle before re-entering the world?

Mum and dad

• Have you and your partner talked about how you’ll approach sleep?
• If mum is breastfeeding and therefore associated with food, can the other parent deal with overnight wakeups?
• Are you and your partner on the same page with what you’ll do about bedtime and wakeups?
• Have you done everything you can think of? Do you need some extra help?

This is not everything, but it’s hopefully enough to give you that ‘oh, I need to try such-and-such’ moment. And if you need a little extra assistance, sing out! We’re here to help.      

Have you ever walked from the nice calm world into a shop where the music is REALLY, REALLY LOUD? It’s so jarring!

 Well that, in reverse, is what happens to our babies. They’re in the womb, warm, snug and safe for 9 months. As their hearing develops, the sound of our bodies is constant for them – like a song that never ends, but a good one. Our heartbeat. Our blood. Our voice (and yes, even our car singing), their dad’s voice; they’re there for it all and it reassures them.

And when they finally land in your arms – it’s so QUIET without all that noise! This is why we swear by white noise for all baby sleeps. it is such a positive sleep association; it both soothes your baby and also lets them know now is a good time for sleep.

 Enter the Sleepy Portable Sound Machine; a handy, smart machine that offers 6 different soothing sounds for your baby:

♪          Lullaby

☔︎        Rain

♩          Shooshing sound

♥︎        Fetal heartbeat

༄               White noise

⚓︎        Ocean Waves

The machine is easily portable (has a clip for easy hanging), automatically enters sleep mode after 30 mins (saving battery), USB chargeable… the list goes on! But for us, the star of the show is that it is voice activated; when your baby makes noise, the sound kicks in! This feature could save you a whole resettle, and we know the less interrupted the sleep, the better.

Being compact and portable, it can go wherever you are. Hang it from the pram, pop it near baby in the car – use it as a message that even though they’re not in their nice comfy bed and dark room, that sleep is the next step for them.

So simple a dad could use it (sorry dads, we really do love you!), a colour scheme that will work with anything AND a sleep saviour? Run, don’t walk! You can find them here.

Red light and sleep – a match made in heaven

If you follow us on socials, you’ll know that we are big believers in dark rooms for baby sleep – and for babies up to 18 months that is certainly the case – but night lights do have a time and a place.

The time – like we said, after 18 months of age. For some children, this can be when the dark is full of scary unknowns, and when a nightlight can provide comfort for any of those night time wake ups – and hopefully stop them from getting out of bed!

So what sort of light? You’ve probably heard about the pitfalls of blue light (we admit – we sometimes use our phones before sleep but we also agree with the science behind this being a bad idea) – but what about red light?

Blue, white, or green light sources – however dim – can be detrimental to sleep as they emit blue light waves. Blue light is a stimulant that actually boosts attention and reaction times, which interrupt the production of melatonin (the sleepy hormone).

Here’s the secret that you need to know – red light is a higher wavelength and boosts melatonin production. Red light can help support good sleep! And it gives out enough light to reassure them they are home in bed and safe, without drawing them into being fully awake.

There are lots of ways to bring red light into your child’s sleep; our Sleepy Light is can provide one of four gentle warm/red-based light tones, sound machine, diffuser and humidifier all in one. You can also buy red light bulbs, or smart light bulbs that can be any colour, for a lamp you already have, or red wall plugs.

If you are looking for light that supports good sleep we urge you – think red!

The Baby Sleep School App was created after years of runaway success with the Baby Sleep School online sleep programs. The idea was born when founders Marissa Wallis and Amelia Lamont were struggling to get their own babies to sleep; they went the extra mile, both became qualified sleep consultants and started Baby Sleep School.

Together, Marissa and Amelia have helped thousands of families worldwide achieve sleep success with their popular online downloadable sleep programs.

But – they wanted to do more to help and support mums! In addition to offering many products and services to help teach babies great sleep habits, they have created an holistic approach to sleep training, with a focus on supporting mums to assist with their baby’s sleep. The Sleepy App is the key; one platform with all the information you need to achieve sleep success – easy, quick and ready to help at all times

Once you purchase a Baby Sleep School program (Newborn, 3-12 months, 12-24 months and Toddler) from our website, you will be sent a link to download the Sleepy App for free. You can then access your sleep program guide on the App, making finding that one priceless nugget of information that will help, that much easier.

Sleepy App – your sleep saviour

Need a sleep saviour in your pocket?

Your wish is our command! Free with a purchase of one of our Sleep Programs, our Sleepy App has all the help, support and resources you need to master baby sleep in one place. Info from our sleep programs? Tick! Community section and forum with chat room, to learn from other mamas in our community? Tick! And because we are passionate about women’s health – a wellness hub for YOU, because a well mama is a happy mama! Includes yoga videos, fitness info and breathing and mediation exercises… tick, tick, tick! You can also get access to bonus content for all age groups, including info on regressions, first aid, sleep safety, settling techniques and more. TICK! Some of these are paid features; you can find out more about that below.

Download the Sleepy App today, available on: 

• IOS
• Google Play

Why should I pay for the additional monthly subscription fee? What extra help am I getting?

The Sleepy App is designed to be a simple way to access all your baby sleep requirements from one platform. The subscription fee is based on providing you with additional functions to support you through sleep training your baby, including the community forum, chat, additional resources and wellness hub.

The difference between a sleep program and the Sleepy App is that the app allows parents to access the program through the app and pay for additional features and services if you require more support. You can also purchase programs through at the app, as your baby grows and develops.

The additional features included in a subscription include:

 Community forum

The Community Forum is a virtual chat room; it is similar to our wonderful Facebook community with more one-on-one support. Certified sleep consultants will be available during peak times to answer your questions and assist you throughout the day when things don’t quite go to plan! Don’t underestimate the power of community!

Wellness hub

The Wellness hub was created to provide Mums with the tools to take some time out for themselves. We are HUGE believers in the benefits of a healthy body and healthy mind, especially for mums. The benefits of exercise include better sleep, improved memory and higher energy levels; it also improves mental health and helps to protect women from conditions like anxiety and depression. Currently in Australia, as many as 1 in 3 women will experience anxiety in their lifetime, and being active can serve as a powerful tool for preventing and managing symptoms associated with this condition.

Remember – it is NOT selfish to prioritise your health!

When it comes to health and fitness advice, it’s important to get the right advice from a qualified professional – that’s why we are working with Renee McGeoch, a qualified post-partum fitness instructor and absolute gem, to deliver safe and effective exercises. Our movement sessions will be mainly interval training and include activation and mobility exercises.

 Our yoga and meditation classes are beautiful and relaxing, allowing deep stretching and breathing for a slower pace. Our yoga instructor, the gorgeous Beth has created some incredible videos for you to access 24/7 and work at your own pace in the comfort of your own home.

If you’re not sure if you are ready for these kinds of activities, please consult a health professional before starting.

Additional resources

These are like the bonus track on your favourite album…. The Additional resources section was created because after years of helping families, we realised there some questions we heard over and over. We kept track of them over the years and now we have answered all your pressing questions in the Additional resources section of the Sleepy App. Broken down into topics, these FAQ are a game-changer – you get access to some in-depth, step-by step knowledge from our experts.

The topics included in are:

• Pre-natal
• Newborn 
• 3 - 12 months
• 12 - 24 months
• 2 - 4 years
• Sleep safety
• Settling techniques
• Sleep regressions
• Developmental leaps
• Your mental health
• Sickness and illness
• First aid
• Sleep safety 101
• The science of sleep
• About us

Being a stay at home mums is by far the hardest job in the world. It’s selfless, tiring, worthwhile & at times isolating .. make sure you spend as much time outside of your house enjoying the sunshine and fresh air and organise catch ups with friends as regularly as possible. Your sanity needs it & it is good for bub too .. If you are worried about your social life interfering with your baby’s routine then don’t.. Get out between naps & no big deal if your social life takes over nap time here or there .. our every second day rule will have you feeling much more relaxed about sleep & will see you enjoying more of motherhood then ever before 🌙 happy Monday Mumma’s x

In an Australian first, young parents will have access to highly sought after sleep support for their babies, as part of a new partnership between the Brave Foundation and Baby Sleep School.

Sleep deprivation is a common complaint of new parents, but for those who are still navigating their teenage years, the transition to parenthood can be infinitely more challenging.

Baby Sleep School has joined forces with the Brave Foundation to provide free and on-going sleep help to families in need of support. Those involved in the new initiative will receive a personalised sleep plan, detailed advice around their babies sleeping needs at every age, and access to Baby Sleep School’s team of qualified baby sleep consultants.

“In the past 10 years almost 80,000 new mothers were aged under 20 at the time of the birth of their children, and like all new parents they need a village of support around them as they embark on their parenting journey,” said Brave Foundation CEO Jill Roche.

“We are so pleased to create this partnership with Baby Sleep School to ensure young parents are also provided with valuable guidance around their child’s sleep. Now participants in Brave’s program will be able to access additional help to ensure that they, and their children, are getting the rest they need in a safe and supported way.”

The Brave Foundation is a not- for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting these mothers and fathers from pregnancy and through the early years of parenting, and now sleep support will be added to the list of resources, education and referrals that Brave provides.

Recent statistics show more than 5-thousand babies are born in Australia each year to mothers under the age of 20.

”The data is clear - young mothers are one of Australia’s most disadvantaged groups,” said Marissa Wallis, founder and CEO of Baby Sleep School.

“Parenthood is demanding,and young parents face many of the same challenges as other parents, as well as other adversities''. We want to help these young parents by increasing their parenting skills and giving them confidence”.

The role of the qualified Baby Sleep Consultants at Baby Sleep School will be understanding the individual Parents' needs arising from their personal history and current life situation. As well as the shared and individual needs of young parents to then develop services that respond to these needs.

“We want to ensure these mothers and fathers are far better supported, and one of the ways we can do that is by providing education and information around a baby’s sleeping and feeding needs,” she said.

“There is significant research to show sleep deprivation increases the likelihood of things like brain fog, mood swings, and post-natal anxiety and depression, so supporting these young parents to improve their baby’s sleep - and in turn their own - is imperative.

To learn more about the Brave Foundation, visit bravefoundation.org.au

Baby Sleep School can be found at sleepschool.co

Mothers have been teaching their babies to sleep since the dawn of time. From rocking them to replicate the movement they would have felt in the womb, to gently resettling them when they need more than a catnap, and everything in between – mothers know sleep is important to a baby’s growth and development.

In the traditional village setting of the past, women would share hard-won experience knowledge with one another in the course of their days– ‘This worked for my baby’, or ‘Have you tried making a ‘shusssh’ sound?’ – and each family would figure out what worked for them.

What we do at Baby Sleep School is kind of like a modern version of that – we share what we have learned, through education, our tribe, our experiences in helping families find healthy sleep habits and our personal experience with our own families. We want to help families who are crying out for better sleep – it’s as simple as that.

Sleep training always equals ‘cry it out’, doesn’t it?

No! Not at all. This is such a common misconception – there are so many ways to sleep train, and while some people and organisations recommend ‘cry it out’, which is based upon allowing a baby to cry for extended periods of time without providing hands on reassurance, we do not.

All sleep training/teaching systems are not the same. We offer practical and gentle sleep advice and take care to help parents understand their babies better, and about how to approach the different types of cries your baby may do in bed. Never ever will you hear us recommending you leave your baby to cry themselves to sleep.

Why is sleep so important?

Sleep isn’t a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a health and wellness must. And that goes for everyone – for babies, for mothers, for children – for adults! But we want to explore why sleep is something we can’t take for granted…

• for babies: so much of a baby’s growth and development happens when they sleep – most of their brain development happens during sleep, synapses are formed, memories stored – they’re busy when they’re sleeping! A rested baby also tends to eat better, which is key for development, as well as their general mood.
  
• for mothers: the wellbeing of mothers is vital to the wellbeing of their babies. There are so many mums out there that are exhausted, overextended and pouring from an empty cup. When baby sleeps well, everyone sleeps well, resulting in happier, more resilient parents! Poor sleep can affect every part of an adult’s life, and make life so much harder than it needs to be. We genuinely believe, and have seen, that good sleep makes for much happier families and especially mums – as well as beautiful, happy, bouncing babies.

Should everyone sleep train?

Goodness no! Some people will want to, like we did when we needed help teaching our first babies to sleep, and some people won’t – and that’s totally fine! Sleep training, like everything parenting, is not a ‘one size fits all’ situation. Our guidelines are just that – guidelines! We aim to provide parents with gentle tools, tips and most importantly, a range of different options, to help their baby achieve the sleep they need for healthy development and growth.

We strongly recommend people do what works for them – their baby, their family, their own comfort zone and intuition.

Is it ok to sleep train?

Yes! We think so – we have dedicated years and years to sleep training our children and helping thousands of families achieve better sleep in a gentle, flexible way.

It is fine to sleep train your baby as long as you are following safe sleep rules and being safe generally. It is fine not to sleep train your baby. What is not fine is make others feel bad about how they choose to deal with sleep, so be kind to all mums, no matter their approach – it’s a tough job and everyone is doing their best.

Remember the days when a sleep in meant waking up past 9am? And now there are days when you see 7.03am and think ‘Thank heavens for my sleep in…’

While the reality is you probably won’t return to those regular long, lazy mornings languishing in bed with a coffee or a book anytime soon, there are many practical ways to help if your little one is a super early riser.

Now, first things first. When we talk about babies and toddlers, an ‘early riser’ is not a baby who is up at 6.30am after a 12-hour sleep. That’s a definite win in baby-and-toddler-parent land. We’re talking about when your bundle of joy is beating the roosters to greet the day.

Of course, your baby or toddler will naturally go through disruptions and unsettled periods – teething, changes to routine, developmental leaps and stages. A few early mornings are not cause for concern. If your little ones’ early rising (before 6am) has carried on consistently for over a week, and you want to try and shuffle the wake time forward, here are some things to look at and address:

Sound: Are there noisy birds right outside your baby’s window? Neighbours revving their engine when leaving at the crack of dawn? An early alarm clock going off for another member of the family? There’s nothing like an external noise waking your peacefully sleeping baby, and while some things are truly out of your control, you can always try turning up the white noise machine to drown out some of the unavoidable noises. If you don’t have one already, we have a great little portable sound machine.

Temperature: Often the temperature can drop in the early morning – while we can easily pull up another blanket ourselves, babies don’t have this luxury. Being too hot can also be an issue. Check that the room is around 19-22 degrees, and that the sleeping bag TOG is appropriate for the climate and heating situation in your home. Plenty of brands that make sleeping bags have great resources about the ideal temperature and layers needed under their sleeping bags.

Light: Let there be… dark! A dark room increases production of melatonin, the sleepy hormone. Light sneaking in can affect quality of sleep, and your little ones’ ability to resettle themselves. As they get older, they may become distracted if they can see their toys, books, or shadows playing on the wall (it’s mind blowing how many creatures a two-year-old can see in the shadows…).

Aim for a totally dark room, if this is not possible with your existing blinds/curtains you can try blackout blinds, like these.

Hunger: Now unless you’re into intermittent fasting, most adults would not go for 12 or 13 hours between meals (or some pre bed toast or choccie biscuits). This is often the gap babies will go between feeds/meals so it is not surprising that many wake early due to hunger. Take a look to ensure they’re getting sufficient sustenance during the day – for smaller babes, check the milk/formula feeds recommended for their age and weight, and once solids are in the mix, check their protein and carbohydrate needs are met. Load then up with sufficient sustenance in the day to increase your chances of a ‘sleep in’.

It’s worth saying that some children simply are early risers – like some adults continue to be. Some babies or toddlers can happily start their day at 5.30am. Also, if your little one’s morning wake up time suits your family, and they’re getting enough sleep for their age, then that’s fine! Babies are not robots and nor are families. If you’re getting enough sleep, and everyone is healthy and content, there is no reason to change things.

There are a number of other factors to consider if the above don’t seem to make a difference. There’s plenty more information in our Sleep Guides, with complete checklists to cross off.

And if not, there’s a coffee with your name on it mama, you’re doing an excellent job.

Have you ever walked from the nice calm world into a shop where the music is REALLY, REALLY LOUD? It’s so jarring!

 Well that, in reverse, is what happens to our babies. They’re in the womb, warm, snug and safe for 9 months. As their hearing develops, the sound of our bodies is constant for them – like a song that never ends, but a good one. Our heartbeat. Our blood. Our voice (and yes, even our car singing), their dad’s voice; they’re there for it all and it reassures them.

And when they finally land in your arms – it’s so QUIET without all that noise! This is why we swear by white noise for all baby sleeps. it is such a positive sleep association; it both soothes your baby and also lets them know now is a good time for sleep.

 Enter the Sleepy Portable Sound Machine; a handy, smart machine that offers 6 different soothing sounds for your baby:

♪          Lullaby

☔︎        Rain

♩          Shooshing sound

♥︎        Fetal heartbeat

༄               White noise

⚓︎        Ocean Waves

The machine is easily portable (has a clip for easy hanging), automatically enters sleep mode after 30 mins (saving battery), USB chargeable… the list goes on! But for us, the star of the show is that it is voice activated; when your baby makes noise, the sound kicks in! This feature could save you a whole resettle, and we know the less interrupted the sleep, the better.

Being compact and portable, it can go wherever you are. Hang it from the pram, pop it near baby in the car – use it as a message that even though they’re not in their nice comfy bed and dark room, that sleep is the next step for them.

So simple a dad could use it (sorry dads, we really do love you!), a colour scheme that will work with anything AND a sleep saviour? Run, don’t walk! You can find them here.

Red light and sleep – a match made in heaven

If you follow us on socials, you’ll know that we are big believers in dark rooms for baby sleep – and for babies up to 18 months that is certainly the case – but night lights do have a time and a place.

The time – like we said, after 18 months of age. For some children, this can be when the dark is full of scary unknowns, and when a nightlight can provide comfort for any of those night time wake ups – and hopefully stop them from getting out of bed!

So what sort of light? You’ve probably heard about the pitfalls of blue light (we admit – we sometimes use our phones before sleep but we also agree with the science behind this being a bad idea) – but what about red light?

Blue, white, or green light sources – however dim – can be detrimental to sleep as they emit blue light waves. Blue light is a stimulant that actually boosts attention and reaction times, which interrupt the production of melatonin (the sleepy hormone).

Here’s the secret that you need to know – red light is a higher wavelength and boosts melatonin production. Red light can help support good sleep! And it gives out enough light to reassure them they are home in bed and safe, without drawing them into being fully awake.

There are lots of ways to bring red light into your child’s sleep; our Sleepy Light is can provide one of four gentle warm/red-based light tones, sound machine, diffuser and humidifier all in one. You can also buy red light bulbs, or smart light bulbs that can be any colour, for a lamp you already have, or red wall plugs.

If you are looking for light that supports good sleep we urge you – think red!

The Baby Sleep School App was created after years of runaway success with the Baby Sleep School online sleep programs. The idea was born when founders Marissa Wallis and Amelia Lamont were struggling to get their own babies to sleep; they went the extra mile, both became qualified sleep consultants and started Baby Sleep School.

Together, Marissa and Amelia have helped thousands of families worldwide achieve sleep success with their popular online downloadable sleep programs.

But – they wanted to do more to help and support mums! In addition to offering many products and services to help teach babies great sleep habits, they have created an holistic approach to sleep training, with a focus on supporting mums to assist with their baby’s sleep. The Sleepy App is the key; one platform with all the information you need to achieve sleep success – easy, quick and ready to help at all times

Once you purchase a Baby Sleep School program (Newborn, 3-12 months, 12-24 months and Toddler) from our website, you will be sent a link to download the Sleepy App for free. You can then access your sleep program guide on the App, making finding that one priceless nugget of information that will help, that much easier.

Sleepy App – your sleep saviour

Need a sleep saviour in your pocket?

Your wish is our command! Free with a purchase of one of our Sleep Programs, our Sleepy App has all the help, support and resources you need to master baby sleep in one place. Info from our sleep programs? Tick! Community section and forum with chat room, to learn from other mamas in our community? Tick! And because we are passionate about women’s health – a wellness hub for YOU, because a well mama is a happy mama! Includes yoga videos, fitness info and breathing and mediation exercises… tick, tick, tick! You can also get access to bonus content for all age groups, including info on regressions, first aid, sleep safety, settling techniques and more. TICK! Some of these are paid features; you can find out more about that below.

Download the Sleepy App today, available on: 

• IOS
• Google Play

Why should I pay for the additional monthly subscription fee? What extra help am I getting?

The Sleepy App is designed to be a simple way to access all your baby sleep requirements from one platform. The subscription fee is based on providing you with additional functions to support you through sleep training your baby, including the community forum, chat, additional resources and wellness hub.

The difference between a sleep program and the Sleepy App is that the app allows parents to access the program through the app and pay for additional features and services if you require more support. You can also purchase programs through at the app, as your baby grows and develops.

The additional features included in a subscription include:

 Community forum

The Community Forum is a virtual chat room; it is similar to our wonderful Facebook community with more one-on-one support. Certified sleep consultants will be available during peak times to answer your questions and assist you throughout the day when things don’t quite go to plan! Don’t underestimate the power of community!

Wellness hub

The Wellness hub was created to provide Mums with the tools to take some time out for themselves. We are HUGE believers in the benefits of a healthy body and healthy mind, especially for mums. The benefits of exercise include better sleep, improved memory and higher energy levels; it also improves mental health and helps to protect women from conditions like anxiety and depression. Currently in Australia, as many as 1 in 3 women will experience anxiety in their lifetime, and being active can serve as a powerful tool for preventing and managing symptoms associated with this condition.

Remember – it is NOT selfish to prioritise your health!

When it comes to health and fitness advice, it’s important to get the right advice from a qualified professional – that’s why we are working with Renee McGeoch, a qualified post-partum fitness instructor and absolute gem, to deliver safe and effective exercises. Our movement sessions will be mainly interval training and include activation and mobility exercises.

 Our yoga and meditation classes are beautiful and relaxing, allowing deep stretching and breathing for a slower pace. Our yoga instructor, the gorgeous Beth has created some incredible videos for you to access 24/7 and work at your own pace in the comfort of your own home.

If you’re not sure if you are ready for these kinds of activities, please consult a health professional before starting.

Additional resources

These are like the bonus track on your favourite album…. The Additional resources section was created because after years of helping families, we realised there some questions we heard over and over. We kept track of them over the years and now we have answered all your pressing questions in the Additional resources section of the Sleepy App. Broken down into topics, these FAQ are a game-changer – you get access to some in-depth, step-by step knowledge from our experts.

The topics included in are:

• Pre-natal
• Newborn 
• 3 - 12 months
• 12 - 24 months
• 2 - 4 years
• Sleep safety
• Settling techniques
• Sleep regressions
• Developmental leaps
• Your mental health
• Sickness and illness
• First aid
• Sleep safety 101
• The science of sleep
• About us

Being a stay at home mums is by far the hardest job in the world. It’s selfless, tiring, worthwhile & at times isolating .. make sure you spend as much time outside of your house enjoying the sunshine and fresh air and organise catch ups with friends as regularly as possible. Your sanity needs it & it is good for bub too .. If you are worried about your social life interfering with your baby’s routine then don’t.. Get out between naps & no big deal if your social life takes over nap time here or there .. our every second day rule will have you feeling much more relaxed about sleep & will see you enjoying more of motherhood then ever before 🌙 happy Monday Mumma’s x