Monash Sleep and Settling Service, a gentle lullaby of support
It’s tough being a new parent.
In the middle of the night, you’re struggling to get the newest member of your family down for a sleep and sleep deprivation is taking its toll. You're staring blankly at the walls or watching late-night television. Caring for a baby can feel like the loneliest job in the world.
There may be tears, cries, and overwhelming moments of frustration—and they’re not always coming from the baby. Parenting through sleepless nights can be challenging for everyone.
The Monash Maternal and Child Health Sleep Team recognises that the early months of parenting can be a particularly vulnerable time for both new and experienced parents. Sleep deprivation, exhaustion and the pressure to “get it right” can leave parents feeling overwhelmed and questioning their abilities, especially when life with a new baby does not unfold as expected from day one.
Through the Monash Sleep and Settling Day Stay Program (MSSS), the Monash Maternal and Child Health Service provides parents with information and practical advice and strategies to support their child's sleep and settling. Equally important, the program offers reassurance and a supportive space for families navigating the challenges of early parenthood.
The team says, “providing support and strategies is important” but “just as important is reassuring parents that others share similar experiences and that they do not have to navigate these challenges alone”.
The MSSS Day Stay Program provides families with a warm and welcoming environment, featuring dedicated sleep rooms designed to support infants and their caregivers. We also offer home visits for families who meet the eligibility criteria. The service is delivered using evidence-based practice and is guided by the Victorian Maternal and Child Health Sleeping and Settling Model of Care.
The program operates from 9am to 3pm and is available for families with children aged 4-10 months. Delivered by experienced Maternal and Child Health Nurses, the program provides family-centred care tailored to the individual needs of each child and family.
Embracing the belief that “it takes a village to raise a child”, the program extends beyond parents alone. Parents, grandparents and other key caregivers are all welcome; recognising the important role that family and support networks play in raising children.
MSSS takes a holistic approach, looking at what a typical day looks like for the child and exploring what may be influencing their sleep and settling.
“We work with parents to develop practical strategies and discuss feeding and solids, asking simple questions such as, ‘Could they simply be hungry?’ We also consider family dynamics and the broader home environment,” the team says. “We help parents recognise their child’s-tired cues and understand when their natural sleep window is opening.”
Families are better equipped to respond with confidence and support their child’s individual sleep needs.
“We encourage parents to give it a go and support them through the process. Change takes time, and being patient with both your baby and you is an important part of the journey.”
We provide families with guidance and support during their time with us, and we continue to follow up after they leave to see how they are progressing. We receive wonderful feedback, and it is rewarding to see the positive outcomes achieved by so many families.
With up to 2-4 families attending the service at any one time, all sharing the common goal of achieving a little more sleep and stability in their lives, many connections and friendships develop among participants.
“It’s lovely to see families supporting one another and forming genuine connections,” the team says. “Many leave not only with greater confidence and practical strategies, but also with new friendships and an expanded support network.”
The program has taken many years to grow and evolve from its beginning to where it is today, this has been no overnight success story. Established more than 15 years ago, the Monash Sleep and Settling Day Stay Program has grown through years of dedication, perseverance and a strong commitment to supporting families. As funding opportunities became available, the Monash Maternal and Child Health team was able to progressively expand and enhance the service, creating the highly regarded and much-valued program that supports families today.
“We now have dedicated sleep rooms, run the program several days a week, and it’s exciting that the service is part of the new Dorrington Child and Family Hub.”
Our program also supports both English-speaking and Mandarin-speaking families, ensuring services are accessible, inclusive and responsive to diverse community needs.
HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE?
If you have concerns about your baby, speak with your Maternal and Child Health Nurse at your next appointment. They can discuss your concerns and provide information about the Monash Sleep and Settling Day Stay Program.
Where appropriate, your Maternal and Child Health Nurse can arrange a referral to the program. The service is available to families who attend the Monash Maternal and Child Health Service.
For more information, visit the Maternal and Child Health section of the Monash website or phone 9518 3662 to speak with the team.
OTHER USEFUL RESOURCES
Visit the Monash Maternal and Child Health website to explore maternal and child health programs and parent groups, and learn more about the Monash Sleep and Settling Support Program.
EARLY PARENTING CENTRES
SAFE SLEEP SPACES