It's 2am. You've done the water, the cuddle and the "one more story". You're running on empty, and you're starting to wonder if you're getting something wrong.
You're not. Sleep struggles are very common between birth and age eight, and they're rarely about anything you're doing wrong. That's why we've teamed up with sleep consultant Anna Baker from SleepBaker to run free sleep workshops at Milestones centres around the country.
Can't make a session? That's okay. We've pulled together some helpful information below, along with a few gentle ideas you can try at home.
Meet Anna Baker from SleepBaker
Anna is a sleep consultant who supports families with babies right through to eight-year-olds. Her approach is practical and family-friendly, so it's built around what really works in busy homes.
Her free workshops at select Milestones centres are open to all families in the community, not just Milestones families. They're a relaxed chance to ask questions, pick up new ideas and hear from other parents who get it. You'll find session details at the end of this post.
Why sleep matters so much in the early years
Sleep is busy time for little bodies and brains. It's when children grow, process everything they've learnt that day, and recharge for tomorrow. Healthdirect notes that sleep supports children's growth, memory, learning, mood and behaviour.
So when sleep is off track, your child has less in the tank to handle their day. And a tired child often finds it harder to settle the next night too.
How much sleep does your child need?
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
For babies, a safe sleep environment is just as important as the number of hours. Our post Sweet dreams start here: practical tips to create a safe, comforting sleep environment at home covers the basics.
Your sleep matters too
When your child isn't sleeping, you're not either. And a tired, stressed parent has less to give at bedtime, which can make settling even harder. It can feel like a loop that's hard to break.
The good news is it works both ways. Research has found that getting support with a baby's sleep can lead to fewer night wakings and less stress, anxiety and low mood for parents too.
A few things that can help:
- Share the load. Take turns with bedtime or night wakings if you can.
- Say yes to help. Accepting an offer from family or friends isn't giving up.
- Go easy on yourself. Sleep is one of the hardest things to get right with young children. Needing support isn't a failure.
If you're feeling low, anxious or overwhelmed most days, please talk to your GP. You can also call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or PANDA on 1300 726 306 if your baby is under 12 months.
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
When to check in with your GP
Sometimes there's more going on than habits. It's a good idea to see your doctor if your child snores or has pauses in their breathing while asleep, regularly has night terrors or sleepwalks, or seems very tired, moody or unable to concentrate during the day.
Please don't buy melatonin or other sleep medicines online. In Australia, melatonin for children needs a prescription, so talk to your doctor or pharmacist first. You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 to speak with a registered nurse, any time.
How your Milestones educators can 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. We're always happy to help.
Free SleepBaker workshops at Milestones
Join Anna for a free workshop at a Milestones centre near you. Sessions are open to all families and cover babies through to age eight.
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 >
This section will be updated as more events are confirmed.
If a session isn't near you, or the timing doesn't work, everything above still applies, and Anna's team shares ongoing, free guidance via @sleepbaker.au and her blog.