FAQs

Sleep Consulting, Night Nanny & Postpartum Support | The Sleep Sanctuary

Hello, and welcome to our FAQ page.
If you’re here, chances are you’re tired, overwhelmed, or wondering if what’s happening with your baby or toddler’s sleep is “normal.” You’re not alone, and you’re in the right place.

At The Sleep Sanctuary, we support families across Brisbane, South East Queensland, and Australia with gentle, evidence-based sleep and settling support for babies, toddlers, and young children.

Below are answers to the most common questions parents ask when considering sleep consulting, night nanny support, or postpartum care.

If you don’t see your question here, please reach out. I’m always happy to talk things through.

  • The Sleep Sanctuary provides comprehensive sleep and postpartum support for families from the newborn stage through to toddlerhood. Our services include:

    Sleep Consulting & Sleep Plans (Online & In-Home)
    Personalised sleep plans for babies and toddlers that consider your child’s temperament, development, feeding, health, and your family’s values. These can be booked and paid for online, making it easy to get started straight away.

    Troubleshooting Calls
    Focused phone or video consultations designed for families who need guidance, reassurance, or fine-tuning rather than a full sleep plan. Ideal if sleep has recently unravelled, you’re navigating a regression, or you just need professional clarity and direction.

    Phone Consultation Packages
    Virtual sleep consultations for families Australia-wide, ideal if you’re not based in Brisbane or prefer support from home.

    In-Home Sleep Consultations Packages (Brisbane & Surrounding Suburbs)
    Hands-on support where I come to your home to help troubleshoot sleep challenges, observe settling, and guide you in real time — particularly helpful for families feeling stuck or overwhelmed.

    Overnight Sleep Support Packages
    Overnight sleep support packages are available in 1, 2, or 3-night options and include:

    • A personalised sleep plan

    • A consultation prior to support

    • Overnight care from an experienced maternity nanny

    • Two weeks of follow-up support to help consolidate progress

    These packages are booked via enquiry to ensure the right level of care and support for your family.

    Overnight Night Nanny Support Overnight newborn and infant support provided by highly experienced maternity nannies. This service is booked via enquiry so we can ensure the right fit and level of care for your family.

    Newborn In-Home Sessions (0–16 weeks)
    Designed for families in the early postpartum period, these sessions support newborn sleep, feeding rhythms, settling, and parental confidence. These sessions can be booked and paid for online.

    Daytime Postpartum & Parent Respite (Brisbane)
    Daytime support for parents who need rest, recovery, or an extra set of hands — particularly valuable during the fourth trimester or when sleep deprivation has built up.

    Gift Vouchers
    A practical and thoughtful gift for new parents — because sleep support is one of the most meaningful things you can offer during the postpartum period.

    Each service is flexible, personalised, and designed to support both your child’s sleep and your wellbeing as a parent.

  • This is one of the most common questions I’m asked, and honestly, it depends on where you’re at when it comes to your baby’s sleep.

    If you’re unsure, you’re welcome to book a short Discovery Call and we’ll talk through what feels right for your family. There’s no pressure, no judgement and no obligation to book.

  • My approach is gentle, evidence-based, and deeply individualised.

    I don’t believe in rigid programs, one-size-fits-all schedules, or leaving families to “figure it out” on their own. I also don’t believe that responsive parenting and good sleep are mutually exclusive.

    As a mum of three, including children with additional needs, I understand how emotional, triggering, and exhausting sleep deprivation can be. I work with you, and always meet you where you are at.

    This means:

    • No forced methods

    • No ignoring your instincts

    • No judgement around feeding, responsiveness, or attachment

    • Support that evolves as your child does

    The goal isn’t just better sleep. It’s more confidence in your abilities, better regulation for your family, and sustainability in whatever approach you choose.

  • Every child is different, and progress is rarely perfectly linear. That said, many families notice meaningful changes within the first few days, with more consolidated sleep developing over 1-2 weeks.

    Some children, particularly those with medical, developmental, or sensory considerations may need a more gradual approach, and that’s completely okay.

    You’ll never be expected to “push through” something that doesn’t feel right. We adjust together as needed.

  • Yes, absolutely!

    While in-home sleep consultations and postpartum support are available to families in Brisbane and surrounding suburbs, I work with families all over Australia via phone and video consultations.

    I regularly support families in Sydney, Melbourne, regional Queensland, and remote areas, and sleep support can be just as effective virtually when done properly.

  • You can book and pay online for:

    • Sleep consulting packages

    • Phone or video consultations

    • In-home sleep consultations

    • Newborn in-home sessions

    Overnight night nanny support is booked via direct enquiry, as availability and matching the right level of experience is important.

    Payment options include credit card and bank transfer. Gift vouchers are also available.

  • We start by looking at the whole picture. Not just sleep and settling.

    This includes:

    • Your child’s sleep patterns and history

    • Feeding and overnight nutrition

    • Daytime rhythms and naps

    • Temperament, development, and environment

    • Your capacity, mental load, and support system

    If your session is in-home, I’ll also assess the sleep environment and guide you through settling in real time.

    Parents often tell me they leave feeling calmer, clearer, and more confident about what to do next.

  • Yes, and this is a core part of my work.

    I regularly support children with reflux, food allergies, prematurity, ADHD, ASD, anxiety, sensory differences, and complex sleep presentations.

    The Sleep Sanctuary is a neuro-affirming, inclusive space. We don’t try to make children fit a system. We adapt the system and approach to fit the individual child.

    If your child has medical considerations, I always recommend working alongside your healthcare team. Once medically cleared, we’ll build a sleep plan that supports both sleep and emotional safety.

  • This is a very common fear, and with so much noise and misinformation online, it is a very understandable one.

    Secure attachment is built through consistent, responsive care over time, not by whether your child cries briefly during change. Sleep support, when done gently and thoughtfully, can enhance attachment by helping both child and parent feel more regulated and rested.

    We move at a pace that feels right for your family. The Sleep Sanctuary also does not offer cry-it-out as a settling method.

  • I completely understand that life with children can be unpredictable. I simply ask for 24 hours’ notice where possible, and I’ll work with you to find another suitable time.

  • You’re always welcome to reach out!

    You can contact me via the website contact form or email info@thesleepsanctuary.com.au

    I aim to respond within 24 hours.

At The Sleep Sanctuary, we proudly support families of all backgrounds, identities, and structures. We warmly welcome LGBTQ+ families, First Nations families, culturally diverse families, and anyone seeking compassionate, personalised sleep and postpartum care.

You deserve rest. You deserve support. And you don’t have to do this alone.

Schedule a Call with Sarah