Brand New Little People

For most babies and toddlers, sleep improves when they start to fall asleep in their cot. But what if you have a super sensitive baby? One who absolutely HATES their cot and will scream the moment you dare even walk in to their nursery? Luckily, there is a solution, it just takes creativity and a little bit of dedication. If you’ve struggled to settle your baby or toddler in their cot, this episod...

I was thinking about what I would tell my younger self. The version of me who had a newborn, or a six-month-old, or a toddler who had decided that 4:30am was a completely acceptable time to begin the day 🫩 And I realised that the things I’d actually want to tell her aren’t the research findings. They’re the softer things. The permission slips. The things nobody really says out loud. So that’s wha...

If you settle your baby or toddler at bedtime, only for them to wake up less than 2 hours later, then you’re familiar with ‘false starts.’ False starts happen when babies or toddlers don’t begin their nights with a long stretch of deep sleep – they may have this deep sleep later in the night, or not at all. In episode 118, Dr Fallon and Dr Laura (PhDs & Sleep Practitioners) unpack why fal...

If 5am wake-ups are a regular occurrence in your house, you are not alone, and more importantly, you are not stuck. Early rising is one of the most common sleep complaints we hear from parents, and one of the most misunderstood. Many parents assume their little one is just wired that way, but in most cases there's a clear reason it's happening, and a fix. In this episode, Dr Fallon and Dr Laura (P...

Waking your child from a nap might feel counterintuitive - especially if you were up half the night with them! But sometimes a long day nap only increases the chances of another tricky night - at some point, we have to put the brakes on this cycle. In this episode of Brand New Little People, Dr Fallon (PhD, Sleep Practitioner) explains when and why your baby or toddler sho...

You know the feeling: your baby is finally asleep, but your brain is just getting started 😓 In this episode, Dr. Fallon Cook & Dr. Laura Conway (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) dive into something that keeps so many parents awake long after bedtime - the mental load of sleep. We’re talking about the 2am maths equations, the endless planning, and the invisible second shift that runs on a loop in yo...

If you’ve ever heard the phrase, 'Sleep begets sleep' and wanted to throw a book across the room, this episode is for you! Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) tackle one of parenting's most exhausting curveballs: the low sleep needs baby or toddler.  Let’s ditch the guilt, drop the pressure to 'fix' them, and dive into real-world strategies to help you, and your low sleep nee...

Inside the womb, your baby’s world is a constant hum of blood flow, digestion, and a heartbeat that thumps like a drum. It’s no wonder most babies find white noise soothing – it sounds like home! From calming a crying infant to blocking out the doorbell during nap time, white noise is a simple tool can be a game-changer for the whole family. In this episode, Dr Fallon (PhD, Sleep Practitioner...

Everyone says that a good bedtime routine is super important for children. But has anyone ever told you why? Or how to set up a great bedtime routine for your little one? In this episode, Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) dive right in, so you can learn what’s happening in your child’s brain when you begin their bedtime routine, how to set up a great bedtime routine for you...

If you're a sleep-deprived parent, you've probably wondered what really happens when you seek help. In this episode, Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) walk you through their entire assessment process - the step-by-step approach that allows them to tailor support for your baby or toddler and maximise your chances of success. If you're exhausted and looking for answ...

Parent questions have been coming through thick and fast during the xmas and new year holidays so on parent request, in this episode Dr Fallon & Dr Laura dive in to how to adjust nap lengths, how to choose a settling approach for a new baby when you already have a toddler in the house, how to reduce the number of overnight feeds, and what to do when your baby only settles for one parent....

Dr Fallon and Dr Laura share personal stories about their own Christmas celebrations, offer practical tips for managing holiday stress, and emphasise the importance of self-care. Learn how to navigate family dynamics, set realistic expectations, and embrace new traditions. Additionally, they answer listener questions about sleep challenges and parenting strategies. ✅ Need additional support? Join...

When you wake your child at the same time each day, you’re giving their circadian rhythm a clear signal that helps shape predictable naps and easier bedtimes. It’s not easy to get up on time after a tricky night, but in today’s episode Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) unpack why it’s worthwhile, and share how to make it work for your family.  ✅ Need additional suppor...

Does bedsharing have benefits for infant development or attachment? The quick answer is no. Systematic reviews (the highest form of scientific evidence) consistently show that bedsharing is associated with: 1️⃣ Longer breastfeeding duration 2️⃣ Increased risk of death 3️⃣ More frequent night waking Bedsharing might be your preference, and that's ok, but it's important to understand both the r...

If your baby or toddler has false starts, split nights, or they are hard to settle to sleep, then there is a very good chance your little one has a sleep pressure difficulty. The good news? These problems are easily fixed by taking a close look at the daily rhythm. When sleep pressure challenges are resolved, the door to easier settling and quieter nights, swings wide open. This episode is Dr Fall...

Is your baby hungry at 2am…or do they feed simply out of habit? Not all babies will stop feeding overnight when it’s no longer necessary – some enjoy those overnight feeds a lot and expect them to continue for 1, 2, or even 3 years! There are loads of factors that influence night feeding and in this episode Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners)  unpack what you need to kno...

When parents know how to spot communication difficulties, they’re able to quickly increase the support their little one’s need for communication to thrive! In episode 104 of Brand New Little People, you’ll meet Dr Kylie Smith, speech pathologist and mum of three. Dr Kylie will teach you: 👉🏽 What typical communication development looks like 👉🏽 How to identify that your little one needs support...

Imagine this – your 6 month old baby wakes at least 5 times every night, sometimes very briefly and other times for up to 2 hours 😥 You’ve rocked and shooshed your baby for so long that your body aches every day. The minute your head hits the pillow your baby wakes again. In a state of desperation you open Instagram and there it is in big, bold font, with a picture of a peaceful, well rested moth...

Sleep apnoea can occur at any point in the lifespan, in any gender, and when left untreated in babies and toddlers it can have a huge impact on sleep quality and your child’s broader wellbeing. Our sleep clinics focus on the behavioural aspects of sleep, but we always screen for sleep apnoea and refer on when needed. 👉🏽 Let’s learn the four key signs every parent needs to be on the lookout for....

😴 Knowing when and how to drop a nap is important. It can make the difference between your little one having great overnight sleep….or having weeks or even months of really tricky nights 🙁 👉🏽 In Episode 101 Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) unpack the key signs that your little one is ready to drop a nap, and talk you through exactly how to manage the transition 💅🏼 ✅ Visi...

Welcome to  Episode 100  of  Brand New Little People,  the podcast that’s helped over 193,000 sleepy parents navigate the wild world of baby and toddler sleep! For 100 episodes, we’ve been your go-to for evidence-based, no-guilt sleep support, and guess what? We’re  still  the  highest-ranked infant sleep podcast  in the parenting charts! 🎉 Togeth...

In this episode, Dr Fallon Cook and Dr Laura Conway answer 10 brilliant sleep-related questions from very tired parents. They explore various topics including sleep cycles, teething, toddler behaviour, and the impact of daycare on sleep routines. Tune in as they dive deep in to the importance of understanding baby and toddler's sleep needs and offer practical advice for parents navi...

In older babies and toddlers, night waking is influenced by 3 key factors, (1)  how they settle to sleep, (2) the daily rhythm, and (3) motivating factors. If one of these 3 factors isn’t addressed, it’s likely night waking will continue to be a persistent problem. Success comes when all three factors have been addressed. In episode 98 of Brand New Little People, Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhD...

Night terrors, sleep talking, confusional arousals, sleep walking, and nightmares, are all common types of parasomnias that can occur during toddlerhood. Parasomnias are undesirable experiences that occur during sleep, that usually aren’t harmful, but they can be disturbing and frustrating for parents.  In episode 97 of Brand New Little People, Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practition...

You’re finally starting to enjoy some longer stretches of overnight sleep, when suddenly your baby or toddler catches a virus and before you know it you’re back to multiple night wakes and tricky settling. Often when our little ones recover from illness, their sleep takes a surprising amount of time to return to normal. This is a well worn path by generations of parents! In episode 96 of...