About the Babies Section: Sleep & Settling

Lack of sleep is probably the worst aspect of parenthood and sleep deprivation seriously lowers our ability to cope with the stresses of a newborn child. Having a child that doesn't sleep well, in addition to the broken sleep due to regular feeds is a very real problem for many families and is best dealt with quickly for the benefit of all affected by it.

Luckily there are sources of help for this. You may wish to try your local Child & Family nurse or GP.

• Contact details of Child & Family Clinics can be found in the Babies Health Section: Medical - Nurses
• Local Child & Family Clinics often offer free information sessions - refer to Babies Health Section: Medical - Nurses for further information.

Otherwise there are parent helplines such as Tresillian, Karitane and Parentline (Centacare - from the Catholic Church).

Tresillian and Karitane offer day stay and residential stays (1 week) to assist with feeding and settling issues (a referral from your Child & Family nurse or GP is required).

• Tresillian - Parent helpline 1800 637 575 (outside Sydney) or 02 9787 5255.
• Karitane Care Line - Support for parents 1800 677 961 (outside Sydney) or 02 9794 1852 (telephone counselling)
• Parent Line (Centacare) Ph: 13 20 55 Telephone counselling for parents from Catholic church). Available 9am-4:30pm, Mon-Sat.

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There are a number of websites offering advice:

• Westmead Children's Hospital Parent Fact Sheets - offers a crying baby factsheet, among many others
• Raising Children Network - Newborn Sleep
• Huggies - Your Baby's Sleep
• BabyCenter - Sleep

Useful publications available:

Listed below are 2 new books which aim to help with sleeping and settling problems in babies.

• Sleeping Like A Baby - Pinky McKay
• Helping Your Baby to Sleep - Anni Gethin & Beth Macgregor

Other Services:-

There are private companies offering help with sleep and settling in the local area.

For example, Puddleducks Maternity Services offer overnight help with breastfeeding & settling.