It's 2am. You've done the water, the cuddle and the "one more story". You're running on empty and wondering if you're doing something wrong.
You're not. Sleep struggles are really common from birth to age eight. That's why we've teamed up with sleep consultant Anna Baker from SleepBaker to bring free sleep workshops to Milestones centres.
Free SleepBaker workshops at Milestones
Anna supports families with babies right through to eight-year-olds. Her workshops are free and open to all families in the community, not just Milestones families. It's a relaxed chance to get practical advice from an expert and meet other local parents who know exactly how you feel.
- Learn practical sleep tips from an experienced sleep consultant
- Understand what's normal when it comes to children's sleep
- Ask questions and get expert advice
- Connect with other local families
Northern Territory
Milestones Early Learning Parap
10.30am, Friday, 2 October 2026
Reserve your spot here >(opens in new tab)
Western Australia
Milestones Early Learning Middle Swan
10.30am, Thursday 29th October 2026
Reserve your spot here >
Milestones Early Learning Edgewater
1.30pm, Thursday 29th October 2026
Reserve your spot here >
Milestones Early Learning Canning Vale
10.00am, Friday 30th October 2026
Reserve your spot here >
More sessions will be added as they're confirmed.
Can't make it? Keep reading for some simple ideas you can try at home.
Why sleep matters so much in the early years
Sleep is busy time for little bodies and brains. It's when children grow, make sense of their day and recharge. Healthdirect [link] notes that sleep supports children's growth, memory, learning, mood and behaviour.
When sleep is off track, your child has less in the tank for their day. And an overtired child often finds it harder to settle the next night too.
Every child is different, but the NSW Government recommends these guides:
- 0 to 3 months: 14 to 17 hours (including naps)
- 4 to 11 months: 12 to 16 hours (including naps)
- 1 to 2 years: 11 to 14 hours (including naps)
- 3 to 5 years: 10 to 13 hours (including naps)
- 5 to 13 years: 9 to 11 hours a night
Small changes that can help at home
You don't need to change everything at once. Pick one or two ideas and give them a week or two to settle in:
- Keep bedtime at the same time each night, weekends included
- Follow a simple, predictable routine, like bath, pyjamas, teeth, book, lights out
- Switch screens off an hour before bed
- Keep the bedroom dark, quiet and calm
For babies, a safe sleep space matters just as much as the routine. Our post Sweet dreams start here covers the basics, and our educators share more ideas in Tips from an educator to help your child sleep better.
Look after yourself too
When your child isn't sleeping, you're not either. And a tired parent has less to give at bedtime, which can make settling even harder.
The good news is it works both ways. Research has found that getting support with a baby's sleep can mean fewer night wakings and less stress for parents too.
So share the load where you can, say yes to offers of help and go easy on yourself. Sleep is one of the hardest things to get right with young children, so needing a hand isn't a failure. If you're feeling low or overwhelmed most days, talk to your GP or call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. If your baby is under 12 months, PANDA is there on 1300 726 306.
When to see your GP about your child's sleep
Sometimes there's more going on than habits. See your doctor if your child snores or has pauses in their breathing while asleep, often has night terrors or sleepwalks, or seems very tired, moody or unable to concentrate during the day.
In Australia, melatonin for children needs a prescription, so please don't buy it online. You can also call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 to speak with a registered nurse, any time.
We're here to help
Your child's educators see them every day, including at rest time. They can share how your child is resting and settling at the centre, which can help you spot patterns at home.
If sleep has been on your mind, have a chat with your centre's educators or our family support team. And for more free tips from Anna, follow @sleepbaker.au on Instagram or visit the SleepBaker blog.