Sleep & Settling
Infant and Toddler Sleep & Settling Support
Sleep deprivation and an unsettled baby can be very distressing for families, and knowing about normal infant behaviour can go a long way towards alleviating much of this distress.
At MIWM we believe in gentle sleep and settling methods that will be based on each individual family’s parenting ideals and values. Our approach aims to nourish the parent-infant interaction through rich sensory engagement, close physical and emotional connection and consistent evidence-based advice.
With access to so much information, it can be hard to know which approaches are right for your child when they’re struggling to sleep.
We offer a unique approach. Instead of solely focusing on sleep, we consider the whole family unit, your baby’s temperament, sensory preferences, food intake, and individual sleep needs.
Our practitioners are aligned with Neuro-protective Developmental Care (Possums) but will tailor the approach to meet the needs of each unique family.
MIWM Sleep and Settling Services
Initial Consultation
60-minute phone or Telehealth consultation | Newborn – 5 years
This initial consultation provides a dedicated space to talk through any parenting or sleep concerns you’re experiencing with your baby or toddler, in a calm and supportive way. Together, we explore what’s happening for your child within the context of their age, temperament, development, and daily rhythms.
Common topics include infant and child sleep, frequent night waking, nap transitions, unsettled behaviour, feeding questions, age-appropriate routines, and understanding what is normal at different developmental stages.
Rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions, this consultation focuses on understanding why your child is behaving or sleeping the way they are, and identifying where this is developmentally normal, or if there are any “red flags” to address. You will be provided with practical, responsive strategies that align with your family’s values and your child’s needs.
This service is suitable for families with newborns through to preschool-aged children, and Telehealth makes it easy for families outside Melbourne to access expert, evidence-based guidance.
Follow-Up Consultation
45-minute phone or Telehealth consultation | Newborn – 5 years
*Available within 3 months of an initial consultation
This follow-up consultation is available to families who have had an initial consultation within the past three months and would like continued guidance as their child’s needs change or new questions arise.
This session provides time to review what has shifted since your initial consult, explore what’s working well, and gently troubleshoot any ongoing or new challenges. We can revisit sleep patterns, night waking, naps, bedtime, feeding, routines, or behaviour, and adjust approaches in line with your child’s development, temperament, and family rhythms.
Follow-up consultations are especially helpful during periods of rapid change — including sleep progressions, nap transitions, illness, return to work, or developmental leaps — offering reassurance and responsive, evidence-based support as you move through them.
The focus remains on practical, flexible guidance that supports your child’s biology and emotional needs, while building your confidence to respond to sleep and behaviour changes over time. This is follow up is a time for reflection, refinement, and continued support.
Home Visit Consultation
2-hour in-home consultation | Newborn – 12 months
*Additional $50 for clients outside a 10km radius of Parkville
This in-home session allows me to see your child in their own environment, providing tailored support that considers your home setup, daily routines, and family dynamics. It’s ideal for families who prefer face-to-face guidance or who want practical strategies they can confidently implement in their own space.
During the visit, we’ll observe your baby’s feeding patterns, daytime routines, and sleep environment to ensure they support safe, optimal sleep. Together, we’ll explore your child’s cues, temperament, and current sleep habits, and discuss a range of settling options that are responsive, practical, and aligned with your family’s values.
Home visits are particularly beneficial in the first six months, as the extended time allows us to cover more in a single session. This timeframe can feel overwhelming for many families to navigate making the home visit service an excellent personalized option. We will cover anything from hands-on guidance with newborn sleep and settling, to support through the 4-month sleep progression and introducing solids
We will also explore play ideas and brain development strategies that naturally build sleep drive, supporting longer, more restorative naps and nighttime sleep. I’ll guide you in choosing approaches that feel comfortable and sustainable, whether that includes parental presence, comfort layering, safe bed sharing, floor beds, or other supportive options.